Agenda item

E Brooks presented the Quarter 3 update on Housing Service Plan. He pointed out three key points, firstly section 2.1 Osborne’s is green but it doesn’t give a full picture, there have been some complaints. The majority of the complaints have been response repairs and this was raised with Osborne at a meeting and it was due to one key individual not performing. They are aware of it and are addressing the situation and have a new interim Manager in place so there is assurance that things will improve. Cllr Imarni had also been up to Osborne’s recently to get some reassurances that systems were in place

Second thing was that Layna Carman presented a report on Tenants and Sustainment. The committee has asked to start seeing the performance indicators around that area. They are reviewing the performance indicators for 2016. The first year they collected the data and now that the data is robust and more reliable we can include this in next year’s performance information.

Thirdly just to note a positive on 4.0 page 17 with regards to Longlands which is finally finished and people are living in the new flats.

E Brooks was happy to take questions.

Cllr Mclean referred to 3.0 HRA Capital Programme, it doesn’t say the percentage. Could that be clarified?

E Brooks said that the next time he brings the data it will be end of the year so he will give the committee the year total.

Cllr Mahmood asked with all the budget changed with buy-to-let private landlords, is there some contingency in place just in case they pull out due to the tax changes.

E Brooks said they do a lot of work in Strategy Housing Private Sector so they are working with approximately 150ish landlords. They also have incentive packages and they will review again in a few months. The private sector is an issue because a lot of the homeless come from the private sector.

There needs to be a varied housing option for people and they do try and encourage it.

Cllr Mahmood asked about the operational risk register on page 37 onwards, are some of these realistic risks and how do we benefit from this as a scrutiny committee.

E Brooks said it’s beneficial to him he uses this quarterly format. It is refreshed every year, some come off and some stay on, he wouldn’t want to lose this register, it is rare that they are questioned on it and it could be more user friendly for those that don’t use it much.

Cllr Imarni referred to page 38, what can we do about it, it’s highlighted as a concern but hard to predict.

E Brooks said they look at prevention and have to be flexible about accommodation. B&B’s are expensive these are only used in emergencies and are kept to a minimal. They do use some of their general needs HRA stock for temporary accommodation but this fluctuates depending on demand.

There is potential for a large property home that has six bedrooms which they can’t let so they are going to look at turning this into temporary accommodation.

Action:  None

Outcome: Report was noted.