Agenda and minutes

- report of Anti-Social Behaviour Manager

            The Head of Housing Services submitted the above draft Strategy which took into account prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and communication which would link all agencies to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour.  The aforementioned four elements had the following objectives assigned to them:-

            Prevention

            -           To reduce the involvement of children and young people in anti-       social behaviour

-           To maintain and further develop a visible uniformed presence in     the Borough

            -           To co-ordinate and improve physical measures carried out

-           To develop a Mediation Service across all tenures

-           Increase the number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts issued in Rotherham in line with Housing Key Performance Indicators

-           Ensure that all Tenancy Agreements in all tenures have the            appropriate anti-social behaviour conditions.

Enforcement

-           Ensure all tenancy agreements across all tenures are appropriately enforced in relation to anti-social behaviour

-           Effectively monitor Acceptable Behaviour Contracts in force and increase the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders issued in the Borough

-           Utilise all enforcement measures where appropriate

-           Utilise criminal sanctions where appropriate

-           Work in line with the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003

Rehabilitation

-           To ensure that rehabilitation forms an integral part of all anti-social behaviour case work

Communication

-           Internal communication

-           External communication

-           Consultation

There would be an action plan accompanying the document in which each agency would have objectives.

The Head of Service drew to the Cabinet Member’s attention the debate that was currently ongoing within the Safer Rotherham Partnership regarding the release of names of children under the age of 16 years.  Prior to any case going to Court there was full consultation with all agencies where each had the chance to make representations including, in the case of a minor, the publicising of the name.  Discussion ensued on this issue.  It was felt that a decision should be made as to the releasing of a minor’s name, or not as the case may be, prior to the case going to Court.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and draft Strategy be noted and forwarded to the Safer Rotherham Partnership.

            (2)  That the report be submitted to the Environment Scrutiny Panel at its May meeting.

- to receive the report

The Head of Housing Services withdrew this item.  It would be submitted at a later date.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

- report of Head of Housing Services

            The Head of Housing Services submitted a report on the investigations that had taken place into the future viability of the non-traditional housing stock on the ‘White Bear’ and ‘Wimpey’ estates at Wath upon Dearne.

            As part of the masterplan produced following consultation with the community, 141 non-traditional properties had been highlighted for refurbishment.  The investigations had revealed that the properties could be refurbished to the Decent Homes standard at a similar cost to that of traditional stock.  The cost of refurbishment, as part of the regeneration of the estate, had always been included in the cost projections and was still part of the £14 million budget committed for the scheme.

            It was noted that where there were other areas of non-traditional properties, investigations would take place into their future viability with the outcome being submitted to the Cabinet Member for decision.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

            (2)  That approval of the refurbishment of the non-traditional properties as part of the regeneration of the ‘White Bear’ and ‘Wimpey’ estates be confirmed.

            (3)  That the appropriate Ward Councillors be informed of (2) above.

- report of Head of Housing Services

            Further to Minute No.  302 of January, 2003, the Head of Housing Services submitted a report highlighting the work that had taken place with regard to residents’ requests for improvement works.  The work included:-

            -           Advice given to residents that security doors would be fitted as      part of the Decent Homes Programme.

            -           Outside lights (dawn to dusk type) had now been fitted to all            bungalows.

            -           Funding via ‘Safer Homes Scheme’ had been secured and all         bungalows were to be fitted with target hardening measures as          described in the report submitted.

            -           Further suggestions for fencing were being considered by the        Neighbourhood Warden Unit.

            -           Work had been completed to remove weeds, trim bushes and       clear paths.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the actions taken be noted.

            (2)  That if future requests for similar work at sheltered housing schemes are received,  checks be made to ascertain their position on the Decent Homes Programme.

- to receive the report

            The Finance and Accountancy Manager reported on the Housing General Fund budget position for the period January and February, 2004.

            At the end of February, the projected underspending had been £0.239M (2.2% of the total budget).  This was made up of an overspending on the Housing General Fund and underspendings on the Environmental Health and Waste Collection and Disposal budgets as follows:-

            Housing General Fund – An overspend of £89,000 against the budget of £742,453.  It had been expected that the Service budget would be achieved, however, the latest projections indicated that the fee income generated in response of a major programme of private sector capital improvement works would not be achieved. 

            Environmental Health (excluding Waste Strategy) – There was an underspend of £148,000 (8.5%) from a budget of £1.733M.  This was an increase to that projected in the last report attributable to an increase in licensing income, underspending on salaries and staff costs, occupational health and food and drugs and reductions in the projected overspend on Pest Control and the Crematorium and Cemeteries.

            Waste Strategy – The projected underspending was £180,000 (2.1%).  This had been reduced from the £0.250M previously reported as a result of the increased cost of green waste collection in the Borough.  The projected outturn position did, however, reflect continued high levels of throughput at recycling centres and lower waste arisings at landfill sites as well as the receipt of DEFRA grants for recycling initiatives.

            Resolved:-  That the report be received.

- to receive the report

            The Finance and Accountancy Manager reported on the Housing Revenue Account budget position for January and February, 2004.

            It was currently estimated that the HRA would achieve a surplus of approximately £0.500M.  In spite of continued high levels of Right to Buy sales, income remained above budget levels.  In addition, former tenants’ rent arrears of approximately £0.4M had been written off during the year.  It should be noted that the current budget projections assumed that the value of current tenants rent arrears would not increase in cash terms.  Work with Benefits staff to assess the level of rent rebates and housing subsidy that would be received indicated that this was significantly above budget.

            In terms of Right to Buy sales, there had been 185 properties sold in January with a further 186 in February resulting in total sales for 11 months of 1,327 above the original estimate of 1,180 for the whole year. 

            Although income levels had been higher than budgeted, this had been offset by increased expenditure attributed to several factors including the District Offices’ budget, the Management and Administration budget and pressure on the repairs budget.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

            (2)  That the staffing restructure of District Offices be submitted to the Cabinet Member before it comes into effect.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under the paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:-

            Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of  Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(expenditure to be incurred by the Authority)

            The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted the current budget position for the Waste Collection and Housing Services trading accounts for January and February, 2004.

            Based on activity levels, expenditure and income for the 11 months of the 2003/04 financial year that ended on 29^th February and taking into account estimated turnover for March, 2004, the projected outturn position on the Waste Collection was a surplus of approximately £50,000 and Housing Services a small surplus of £98,000. 

            Resolved:-  That the report be received.

            (Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – expenditure to be incurred by the Authority)

(Exempt under Paragraphs and 15 of the Act – accommodation provided by the Council/protection of informants)

            The Democratic Services Manager reported receipt of a petition, containing 13 signatures, in respect of allegations of anti-social behaviour caused by children of two properties.

            The petition had been handed to a Housing Assistant on 16^th February, 2004, and a number of actions had been taken including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts on 2 of the children concerned.

            Resolved:-  That the petition and actions taken be noted.

            (Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 15 of the Act – accommodation provided by the Authority/protected informants)

(accommodation provided by the Authority/services provided by the Authority/expenditure to be incurred by the Authority)

            The Head of Housing Services submitted a report outlining an application submitted by Hallam Housing Society to the Housing Corporation to demolish Dalton House Sheltered Scheme and redevelop the site for Extra Care Sheltered Housing.

            An unsuccessful bid had been submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister  for capital finance from the Extra Care Housing Fund to redevelop the site.  However, Hallam Housing Society had made a separate bid which had been successful.

            The Extra Care Housing Strategy had been subject to widespread consultation including discussions with ROPES, Age Concern, Carers groups and colleagues in the Health Services.  Focus groups of service users had been established and consulted.  The outcome had been very positive.

            Approval was sought to commence rehousing of the remaining 11 tenants who had all lived at Dalton House for longer than 12 months and, therefore, entitled to Home Loss and Disturbance allowances.  Tenants would be given the option of returning to the new scheme which would be owned by Hallam Housing Society.

            It was noted that the report was to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 21^st April, 2004.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

            (2)  That, subject to the concurrence of the Cabinet, the rehousing of tenants at Dalton House be approved together with the payment of Home Loss and Disturbance allowance.

            (Exempt under Paragraphs 3, 4 and 8 of the Act – accommodation provided by the Authority/services provided by the authority/expenditure to be incurred)

- report of Head of Housing Services

Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 8 - accommodation provided by the Council/supply of services

            The Head of Housing Services submitted a proposal to amend the current procedure for moving asylum seekers out of NASS (National Asylum Support Service) accommodation once their asylum claim had been determined.

            Asylum seekers who received positive decisions and chose to remain in Rotherham were allowed to stay in the NASS accommodation until a suitable property was found for them.  There was a reluctance to seek eviction knowing that the person was waiting for an allocation from Housing.  However, the issue of single failed asylum applicants was complicated with limited options available.  Work had been undertaken with other agencies to ensure that as far as possible they received some basic services though not temporary accommodation.

            The suggested amendment would address the needs of those asylum seekers who had had their claim determined and ensured that the Asylum Team minimised the loss to its income from overstayers.  The needs of single asylum seekers who had failed in their applications could not be fully met by the amendment unless there was evidence that the person was eligible for community care services. 

            Discussions had taken place with Legal Services with the suggestion made that it be made clear to the asylum seeker, in writing, at each stage, of their options.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

            (2)  That the proposed amendment to the procedure, as set out in Appendix C of the report submitted, be approved.

            (Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 8 of the Act – accommodation provided by the Authority/expenditure to be incurred)

- report of Head of Housing Services

Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 8 of the Act - accommodation provided by the Council/supply of services

            The Head of Housing Services submitted a proposal for a change in procedures to meet the housing and social needs of asylum seeker families who had lived in Council accommodation for at least 3 years and who would now be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as part of the ILR Project.

            The current occupancy agreement for asylum seekers specified that as soon as the applicant’s decision was made the applicant had to leave the accommodation.  In October, 2003, the Home Office announced an amnesty for families that had been waiting longer than 3 years for a decision about their claim for asylum.  They proposed to give ILR (refugee status) by April, 2004, to those families who had been waiting for more than 3 years for a decision.

            Under the existing arrangements, the Asylum Team would end the occupancy agreement and a Notice to Leave issued.  The families would then be allocated alternative accommodation through the Homeless Service.  The amended procedure would offer them a secure tenancy giving them the right to remain and continue their established routine.

            There would be no costs arising from rehousing the families.  There would be a small charge for each family to purchase the furniture and fittings that had been supplied by the Asylum Team using the method as that of the Furnished Accommodation Scheme.

            Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

            (2)  That families affected by the ILR project be offered secure tenancies, if requested, for their current temporary properties and the procedure be amended accordingly.

            (Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 8 of the Act – accommodation provided by the Authority/expenditure to be incurred)

            (The Chair authorised consideration of the following item to enable discussions with the workforce to commence.)