Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting

The minutes of the Housing and Community OSC meeting on 28 January and 4 February 2016 were agreed by members

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr Timmis and Cllr Silwal

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)           may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct For Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

Councillor Imarni declared she was a trustee of Sportspace.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements or ask questions in accordance with the rules as to public participation

There were two public participants, Joan Whitehead and Ivan Gashev (Students, Trainee Journalists from Luton)

None.

J Deane gave an in depth presentation on the 2017-2018 budget.

E Brooks then gave a break down on changes to the housing services plan. He highlighted a few key points, Appendix B-1 - page 9.

The growth item, homeless prevention, this is to tackle issues. This has now been approved and is in the budget.

B1 – Page 10, garage maintenance – garage rent will be increasing and fifty thousand pound will be spent on maintenance as previously discussed.

B&B spend is down.

Joint growth is for domestic abuse, and a new officer for a new role. Appendix G page 64, there is major movement in rent reductions and right to buy. Previously we sold 20 per year we are now selling around 100.

There has been an impact on electrical testing due to the recent changes, the budget was amended and will be reviewed at Council in Feb.

E Brooks was happy to take questions

Cllr England asked if the £500.000 for electrical testing will happen every year.

F Williamson said it is recommended now, once every 5 years. There will be a spike in the first years as we need to capture those that fall from the back end of the previous 10 years.

Cllr Bassadone asked if the garage money will include a re-paint.

F Williamson said yes, it will cover the costs for the timber components to be replaced with PVC ones and the garages will be powder coat painted.

Cllr Bassadone asked how it will be managed.

F Williamson said that there is a disposal programme outline. The worst areas will be done first.

Cllr Imarni referred to re-charges, this has been a topic before. Page 13, is this a U turn on the last strategy.

J Deane said there are strict rules with the re charge.

Cllr Imarni with regards to re charge on properties is that still happening and are we as strict.

E Brooks explained that the re charge she was referring to is not the same re charge as in the report, but the re charge officer will recover the money and change the culture. The officer was recruited in September 2016 so money is now starting to come in, the collection rate is still low, targets are set going forward.

Cllr Imarni asked if there was the right level of risk.

E Brooks said we aren’t talking it blindly it’s a reasonable re charge.

Cllr Mahmood asked if tenants were aware.

E Brooks confirmed that they were aware and have gone down many avenues to make them aware.

Cllr Mahmood referred to gas testing and asked how often does that it need to be tested.

F Williamson confirmed that it needs to be tested on an annual basis. Compliance is 100% and there are 5 properties that haven’t been done, DBC are currently going through the legal process to get access.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe raised issues on recovering costs of major repairs from leaseholders (on deferred terms)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

N Brathwaite introduced the report highlighting that the report came out in October 2016 this is now approved, and additional added to the policy which is in the report.

They aim to tackle rough sleeping and work with statutory and voluntary sectors as they have issues in the water gardens and the town centre.

Support is always offered but not taken up.

N Braithwaite was happy to take questions.

Cllr Mahmood said if someone becomes homeless do we look at their background.

N Brathwaite said yes, investigations are undertaken.

Cllr Mahmood said is there no legislation in the Bill.

N Brathwaite this will be added, it’s currently in the second sitting in Parliament. She will ensure it gets amended in the policy.

E Brooks said we will request and item on it when it becomes and act.

Action:  None

Outcome: Report was noted.

Remove resident involvement from March

Homelessness Bill add to the list.

Youth Connexions from Jan, add to March for info only.