08 03 2006

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

 

 

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillors Wright and Hayward had been nominated to attend this meeting in place of Councillors Davis and Philpott respectively.

 

 

 

 

Apologies were received on behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Burgess and Councillors Davis, Hook and Philpott.

 

 

 

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Housing Board held on 11 and 25 January 2006 be approved and signed by the Chairman as true and correct records.

 

 

 

 

There were no deputations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the Housing Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’) on the above matter.

 

 

Members congratulated officers on the content of the draft Policy, which reflected the need to provide assistance to lower income groups and target empty properties to provide accommodation for people on the waiting list for housing.  They also welcomed the efforts being made to ensure that adequate loft insulation was installed in properties within the Borough.

 

 

Members were of the opinion that an amendment to the wording of paragraph 6.11 on page 20 of the report was appropriate to indicate that the Council would consider supporting any third party that met the approval of the Council, such as an energy management company.

 

 

RESOLVED: That:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the report of the Housing Services Manager (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “B”) advising the Housing Board of the requirements for licensing private rented accommodation that falls into prescribed categories of houses in multiple occupation and requesting the Board to determine the fee to be paid.

 

 

Members were advised that there were only three properties in the Borough that would require licensing under this legislation.  Members were also informed that the application form attached as Appendix A to the report was being reviewed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Housing Advisory Committee and, therefore, may be subject to amendment.

 

 

In answer to a Member’s question, it was confirmed that the Gosport Refuge would not be required to be licensed or be subject to any fees under this legislation, as the Council owned the property.

 

 

RESOLVED: That:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the report of the Housing Services Manager (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “C”) setting out the background to the current partnering arrangement for Decent Homes works and recommending that an extension be approved to take this arrangement to the end of the Decent Homes programme in 2010/11.

 

 

Members welcomed the continuity of service provision to be provided by the extension of the contract with Connaught Partnerships Ltd.  In answer to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that it was not possible to quantify precisely the savings provided by Connaught in providing new kitchens, bathrooms, etc., in the drive towards achieving the Decent Homes Standard across the Borough.  However, the kitchen installations and associated works were being provided below the sums originally budgeted and therefore funds were being made available to extend the upgrades to more properties within the same budget provision.

 

 

RESOLVED: That the Housing Board authorises the extension of the partnering contract with Connaught Partnerships Ltd, formerly Connaught Property Services Ltd, to run from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2011, in respect of the provision of the delivery of the Decent Homes Standard and associated works.

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the report of the Housing Services Manager (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix “D”) setting out the proposed 2006/07 Housing repairs Programme and seeking the Board’s approval for the programme.

 

 

Members requested that Appendix A to the report be amended to show the total amount allocated to the Decent Homes budget without breaking it down into specific works.  This would allow for greater flexibility in allocating funds as required between the different work requirements necessary to achieve the Decent Homes Standard.

 

 

Amendments to the table provided on the second page of Appendix B were also requested as some roads appeared twice whilst others were omitted.

 

Members expressed concern that the results of the Best Value Review into Sheltered Housing Schemes had not yet been brought to the Board.  Members were advised that this was a complex review and the results of an external review into funding for Supporting People were not available yet and these results would impact on the funding available for the provision of wardens to sheltered housing.

 

 

Particular concern was expressed into the provision of heating at The Leisure.  The failure of the heating system within this property had caused difficulties for the residents and the provision of temporary equipment had not always proved adequate.  Members were given an assurance that officers shared their concerns and would investigate alternative schemes for a replacement heating system at The Leisure as part of the Best Value Review of Sheltered Housing.  A report detailing the way forward would be brought to the June meeting of the Housing Board.

 

RESOLVED: That:-

 

1.         the Board approves the proposed 2006/07 Housing Repairs Programme, subject to the following guiding principles:-

 

a)         that Officers be required to seek Board approval to vary the Housing Repairs Programme where work within an identified element of the approved Housing Repairs Programme cannot take place;

 

b)         that where urgent works are identified after approval of the Housing Repairs Programme for which there is no identified provision, Officers in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Board be permitted to vary the programme for works up to £60,000;

 

c)         that where urgent works are identified after approval of the Housing Repairs Programme for which there is no identified provision, Officers in consultation with the Chair and Group Spokespersons be permitted to vary the programme for works between £60,000 and £100,000;

           

d)         that Officers be required to seek Board approval to vary the approved Housing Repairs Programme where urgent works are identified after approval of the programme, for which there is no identified provision and the value of these works exceeds £100,000;

 

e)         that Officers be required to seek Board approval where work within an identified element of the approved Housing Repairs Programme is going to under- or over-spend by more than £100,000;

 

f)                    that Members be informed of significant variations to the Programme, as outlined in a) to e) above, which are relevant to their Ward.

 

2)         Appendices A and B be amended as outlined above and circulated to Members.

 

3)         A report be brought to the June meeting of the Housing Board to consider the findings of the Best Value Review of Sheltered Housing.  This would include a consideration of the heating system at The Leisure.