Agenda and minutes

- report of Head of Housing Services

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report proposing to dispose of land off Denman Road, Wath upon Dearne, following demolition of 10 blocks of 3 storey flats incorporating a planning brief as a guideline for redevelopment.

It was felt that an integrated and sustainable development which benefited the wider community would be created by the following planning requirements:-

-           That the site be suitable for between 78 and 130 residential properties catering for a wide range of occupiers within an innovative and imaginatively designed layout.

-           The overall design will comply with the principles of ‘Secured by Design’ and ‘Planning out Crime’.

-           A high standard of landscape design will be incorporated into the overall design.

-           An area of the development land will be earmarked for affordable housing.

-           Access will be provided for those people with a disability and good footpath and cycle links to Wath Town Centre will be incorporated into the estate design increasing the site’s sustainability credentials.

-           A toddler’s play area, appropriately equipped and fenced to keep dogs out.

Full consultation had taken place with Ward Councillors, Property Services and the community through public meetings and a monthly steering group.

Resolved:-  That the disposal of land off Denman Road, Wath upon Dearne, be approved.

- report of Head of Housing Services

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report setting out a proposal to acquire No. 11 Eldon Road, Eastwood, from a private landland in exchange for No. 33 Eldon Road, Eastwood, to enable the demolition of a block of 8 terraced houses.

Environmental designs were to be agreed by the community and work undertaken in the 2004/05 financial year.

Consultation had taken place with Legal Services who felt it to be the best way forward.

No objections had been received from Ward Councillors.

Resolved:-  That the proposal to exchange No. 33 Eldon Road, Eastwood (a Rotherham Council miscellaneous property) for No. 11 Eldon Road, Eastwood (a property owned by a private landlord in the Eastwood Village) be approved.

- report of Finance and Accountancy Manager

The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted a report setting out the year-end position in respect of the 2003/04 Housing Investment Programme (HIP).

In June, 2003, a HIP had been approved of £30,412M.  This had been revised during the year in light of the projected level of resources available.  As at 31^st March, 2004, a total of £29.6M had been spent compared with a projected spend of £30.4M representing 97.3% of the original approved Programme and 103% of the revised Programme as agreed by the  Cabinet Member to bring forward planned spending from 2004/05.

It was noted that during 2003/04 a total of 1,507 properties had been sold under Right to Buy.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

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 the paragraphs indicated below of Part I 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.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 of the Act – supply of services)

The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted a report detailing the proposed Housing Investment Programme (HIP) for 2004/05.

Schemes totalling £28.7M were proposed supported by £27.9M resources leaving the Programme overcommitted by £0.8M (2.9%) which was within acceptable limits to ensure full use of the resources available.  Potential additional resources had been identified which could be used to support a range of additional schemes.

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

(2)  That the schemes outlined in Appendix 2 of the report submitted be approved.

(3)  That approval be given to develop the schemes listed in Section 4.1 of Appendix 1 of the report submitted.

(4)  That the Head of Housing Services submit a report to a future meeting on the Eco-Homes bid.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – supply of services)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4 and 7 of the Act – service provided by the Authority/affairs of a particular person)

It was noted that a meeting of a Complaints Panel had been held on 12^th May, 2004, comprising of Councillors Littleboy (in the Chair), Barron and Furnell.  The Panel heard a complaint received from Mr. H. regarding his request that his first offer of accommodation be withdrawn as an official offer as, in his opinion, it had not met his requirements.

The Panel had not upheld the complaint and had noted that the complainant had been made a further offer of accommodation prior to the meeting taking place.

Resolved:-  That the Panel’s findings be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4 and 7 of the Act -  service provided by the Authority/affairs of a particular person)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – supply of services/negotiation of terms)

The Head of Housing Services submit a report proposing to extend the current 3 star gas servicing scheme for Council properties to properties that had been sold under the Right to Buy scheme.

The scheme was similar to that of British Gas whereby owner-occupiers would pay a fixed annual sum to the Housing DSO in return for which the DSO would carry out an annual service in addition to any necessary repairs.  The proposal was designed to continue the Authority’s duty of care in relation to gas safety and reduction in pollution.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the extension of Housing Services’ 3 star gas servicing plan to tenants who had exercised their Right to Buy be approved.

(2)  That a progress report be submitted after 6 months.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – supply of services/negotiation of terms)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – contains name and addresses of individual requesting financial assistance)

The Head of Housing Services submitted receipt of a request for an extension of time to complete Home Repair Assistance grants.

Two Home Repair Assistance grants had been approved in September, 2002, to carry out repair work to the property.  There had been difficulties encountered in completing the work.

The regeneration work being carried out as part of the Eastwood Village Scheme was due to be completed by the end of July when a further inspection of the property would be carried out.  

Resolved:-  That an extension of time be granted until 31^st March, 2005, but it be made clear to the owner that there would be no further extensions.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – contains name and address of individual requesting financial assistance)

(Councillor Jack declared a personal interest in the above item)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – provision of services/negotiation of terms)

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report seeking authority to accept a tender for the fixed wire testing of domestic properties.

Resolved:-  That the tender submitted by Tilen Electrical Limited, in the sum of £101,556.00, be accepted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – supply of services/negotiation of terms)

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report seeking authority to accept a tender for the electrical upgrading of Council properties.

Resolved:-  That the tender submitted by Williams Electrical Ltd., in the sum of £132,000.00, be accepted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority)

(Exempt under Paragraphs of 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – contains names and address of individuals requesting financial assistance)

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report regarding the funding of discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 assistance could be provided if the persons assessed needs required expenditure in excess of the mandatory limit but was made without the benefit of the 60% Specified Capital Grant contribution associated with mandatory approvals.  It was proposed that repayment conditions be attached to discretionary approvals requesting repayment if a relevant disposal was made within a 5 year period.  The simultaneous withdrawal of the power to create a local land charge meant that an individual charge on the property would be required to enforce such a condition.

It was noted that public sector adaptations would be unaffected.

The repayment condition would only relate to a small percentage of the overall work carried out (construction costs in excess of £25,000) and would, therefore, be met satisfactorily on the disposal of the property.  In addition the individual circumstances of each person making a disposal would be considered under Section 21(5) of the Policy.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the funding of discretionary private sector adaptations from the identified budget.

(2)  That the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy be amended to include repayment conditions for discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants.

(3)  That 5 year repayment conditions be imposed on discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants approvals.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – requests for financial assistance)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – contains names and addresses of individuals requesting financial assistance)

The Head of Housing Services submitted 7 Disabled Facilities Grants (private sector) and 3 Disabled Facilities adaptations (public sector) for consideration.

1.  Private Sector Applications

Resolved:-  (a)  That application Nos.17856, 17390, 17738, 17858, 17814 and 17740 be approved in the sum of £157,810.266:-

(i)  substantially in accordance with plans and specifications submitted by the Head of Housing Services;

(ii)   within a period of 12 months of the application being approved.

(b)  That with regard to application No. 17814 further investigation take place into nomination rights should the property become vacant.

(c)  That application No. 17853 be deferred for further medical information.

2.  Public Sector Applications

Resolved:-  That application Nos. 17871, 17859 and 18297 be approved in the sum of £84,642.01:-

(a)  substantially in accordance with plans and specifications submitted by the Head of Housing Services;

(b)  within a period of 12 months of the application being approved.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 of the Act – contains names and addresses of applicants requesting financial assistance from the Authority)