12 01 2005

The Mayor (Councillor Edwards)(ex-officio) (P), Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook)(ex-officio), Councillors Burgess (P), Carter (P), Mrs Champion, Mrs Cully (P), Davis (P), Foster (P), Gill (P), Philpott (P), Rigg (P) and Mrs Wright (P).

 

 

 

 

An apology for inability to attend the meeting was submitted on behalf of Councillor Mrs Champion.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Board meeting held on 16 November 2004 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration was given to a report by the Housing Services Manager (a copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’).  The Housing Services Manager advised Members that the original Appendix A to the report had been incorrect and an amended version had been circulated. The report notified Members of a programme of works for the 2005/6 financial year, designed to bring homes in roads with the highest proportion of Council owned properties that failed the Decent Homes Standard, up to the required standard.

 

Members complimented the Housing Services Manager on the programme outlined in the report. 

 

Members were advised that the list of roads contained in Appendix A was not intended to represent any particular order of work and that the result of surveys carried out by Council Building Surveyors would determine the order of work undertaken. 

 

Members approved the 15-year cut off point for replacing kitchens.  However, Members requested that they receive a summary of survey results to assist them with answering queries from residents as to why certain properties would not receive a replacement kitchen.  The Housing Services Manager confirmed that a summary of the results from each Ward would be available on request.

 

Members stressed that the Customer Services Team would also need briefing on the contents of the survey report in order that they too could answer residents’ queries on the programme of work being carried out.

 

Members queried the extent of the data to be collected and the Housing Services Manager confirmed that it was important to the programme that every house be visited and a comprehensive stock condition survey completed. This would include information on the condition of the decoration in communal areas.

 

Members requested information on those streets with less than 7 properties which fail the Decent Homes Standard and which would be included in the forthcoming four year programme to achieve overall compliance with the Decent Homes Standard.  The Housing Services Manager confirmed that this information would be supplied to Board Members.

 

As indicated in paragraph 3.6.9 of the report, it was confirmed that a review of the programme would be undertaken in approximately 10 months time.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board approve the programme of works for the 2005/6 financial year to bring homes in roads with the highest proportion of Council owned properties that fail the Decent Homes Standard, up to the required standard.

 

 

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Property Services (a copy of which is affixed to these Minutes at Appendix B) on the proposed sale of land adjacent to 2 The Redan.

 

Referring to paragraph 2.2 of the report, it was confirmed that officers had not yet established whether the sale of land should be advertised in the local press.

 

The land proposed for sale was situated in an open area of land and therefore it was agreed that any boundary fence erected should not interfere with this open aspect and be restricted in height.  The Housing Services Manager confirmed that a height restriction existed for any fence bounding a highway.

 

Concern was expressed by Members that despite the restriction on the use of land indicated in paragraph 2.4, should a planning application to develop the site be received at a future date, the Council may not have the power to refuse such an application. 

 

RESOLVED:  That further advice be provided by officers regarding the Council’s power to restrict the use of land adjacent to 2 The Redan to garden use only and a further report be submitted to the Board. 

 

 

The Chairman, Councillor Burgess, extended the thanks of the Board to the Housing Services Manager, Ralph Facey, for all he has achieved for Gosport during his service with the Council.  He wished Mr Facey success in the future and made a presentation to him on behalf of the Board.

 

The meeting commenced at 6.00 pm and concluded at 6.33 pm