Minutes:
Tenant & Leaseholder Services
· Telecare service in Supported Housing has been rolled out with good take up amongst existing customers in fall detectors, which is positive and supports the approach to health and social care needs.
· Supported Housing demand is being reviewed to look at how we can meet the needs of our growing older population and have been talking to a number of other stock retaining councils about how they provide these services.
· The Housing Officers will be undertaking a pilot programme for six months that will enable them to issue Community Protection Warning letters to tenants whose behaviour is having a detrimental impact on the quality of life of those in the locality. The Housing Officer – Tenancy will work in collaboration with the Anti-Social Behaviour Officers, and along with the newly approved ASB policy will ensure there is a consistent approach for tenants and residents and also empower them to take swift action to resolve problems early.
· We have retained the RSPCA Paw Print Gold Housing award for the sixth year running for the proactive work we do to manage pets in our homes.
· The Sustainment team are currently supporting and working with 310 households, these are made up of 182 in settled accommodation with DBC, 120 households in temporary accommodation, whilst their homelessness case is being investigated and 8 Syrian refugee families being resettled as part of the government’s resettlement program.
· The officers have been working hard to maximise household income and have seen success when requesting mandatory reconsiderations when applicants UC claims have been turned down.
Strategic Housing
· Approval to recruit a Homelessness apprentice to train and develop further skills to support increasing demand in this area
· Working closely with Hightown Housing Association to recruit 2x dedicated Street Outreach Workers for Dacorum and 1x Community Drug & Alcohol worker
· Currently developing new information sharing arrangements with the Police and Public Protection Unit in relation to high profile offenders, due to the rise in approaches to the service
· Working closely with the Clinical Commissioning Group and Change Grow Live to develop an improved pathway for clients with dual diagnosis
· Undertaken further development to our website provided enhanced information to customers needing housing advice or at risk of homelessness
· Licensed a further 6 HMO’s
Housing Development
· Cabinet Report - Next Report – October 2019 - Planning to take approval to appoint a Contractor for the Gaddesden Row project.
· Resource - Appointed Ian Johnson as Senior PM start date 23rd Sept. Sam Bramley – leaving date 20th Sept. Starting the recruitment process for new Lead Officer post.
· Corn Mill Court - Handover planned for this Thursday noting car park will be closed until party wall works complete.
· Martindale Martindale - Progressing well on site no issues.
· Northend & Westerdale - Progressing well on site no issues.
· Stationers Place - Progressing well on site no issues.
· St Margaret’s Way - On hold subject to brief clarification.
· Eastwick Row - Planning application submitted.
· Pipeline Schemes - Looking at feasibility schemes for Cherry Bounce and Marchmont LA1, and Paradise Depot to include facilitates for DENS.
· Land purchase - Paradise Fields land purchase ongoing. Architect has produced initial scheme with positive feedback from Planners. Pre app submitted. To avoid any further expenditure the project is on hold until the land is secured.
· Gaddesden Row - Planning approval obtained and adjudicating tender returns.
· Future Garage Sites - Tendering for Architectural services.
· Off Site Construction – Looking at options to bring these products into our programme.
Property & Place
· Year 4 extension (year 9 addition) to contract has been formally awarded following completion of agreed additional targets that were required to evidence continual improvements.
· it is likely that year 5 (year 10 addition) will also be awarded later this year if KSI’s are continued to be met, and agreed improvements are maintained
· New garage officer came into post in July, and two additional surveyors will be joining in September following successful recruitment.
· Additionally two key posts, Fire safety & Aids & Adaptations surveyor, have been successfully recruited to and agency staff have taken roles on a permanent contract.
· Major works programme progressing well
· Current Informal restructure pilot proving successful and aiming to consult team formally late September/early October.