Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor F. Wright.

There were no members of the public present.

There were no declarations of interest made.

- presentation by Sandra Tolley, Housing Services

Sandra Tolley, Open Access and Information Officer, Housing Services, gave the following presentation on the above Scheme:-

Why furnish?

-           Linkages with homelessness

-           Reduces debt

-           Sustainability – Turnover

Consultation

-           100 agencies

-           Local Housing Offices

-           Homelessness Unit

-           Benchmarking

Performance Measures – Improvements to

-           BVPI66 – Rent collected

-           VBPI183 – average length of stay in bed and breakfast

-           HES5 - % of new tenancies that last more than 12 months

Funding

-           Local Public Service Agreement (pump priming funding grant)

-           £40,000 grant

-           £200,000 unsupported credit approval

Vision – What we ant to achieve within 12 months

-           32 dispersed properties

-           100 furnished homes

-           Provide greater choice by offering furnished accommodation provision

-           Improve sustainability

Dispersed Scheme

-           Established in March, 2003

-           To provide interim accommodation

-           In conjunction with Supporting People

-           Minimise the use of bed and breakfast

Furnished Home Pilot

-           To set up 100 furnished homes throughout Rotherham within the first year

-           The properties will be on a furnished-on-demand basis for people who cannot afford to buy furniture

-           Generate waiting lists for furnished homes

Marketing – Could include

-           Show house/flat

-           Mail shots

-           Area office posters/leaflets

-           Local press

Conclusion

-           Highly valued one-stop service to access furniture provision

-           Sustainability of tenancies and communities

-           Helps deliver against vision of Better Place to Live

Discussion ensued on the presentation with the following points/issues raised:-

-           The scheme would provide options to the Service to assist their customers sustain their tenancies, prevent homelessness and fulfil its housing obligations.

-           Consideration was also being given to the provision of move-in packs (bed sheets/linen etc.) at a charge of £2.00 per week.

-           The charge for a furnished property would start at £23 per week rising to £43 for a 3 bedroomed house.  This was payable in addition to rent.  This was comparable to the private sector and other Local Authorities.

-           The maintenance of white goods would be included in the charge.

-           The charge was fully Housing Benefitable.  If the tenant found that they could not afford the furnished charge, some of the furniture could be removed and pay a part-furnished charge.  There would still be some charge as the property would have been decorated and carpeted.  As the tenant’s personal situation improved and they wanted to buy their own furniture, they could return the Scheme’s furniture and the charge would be reduced accordingly.

-           If the furniture became the property of the tenant it would not meet the regulations for Housing Benefit.

-           A regular inventory check would be conducted of the quality of the furnishings and ensure that it was maintained.  If any item failed the inspection it would be looked at to replace it.

-           Included in the charge was an allowance for loss and depreciation.

-           There would be no bond required.

-           Discussions were taking place with the Police regarding the security dotting of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

- verbal report by Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services

The Chairman moved this item into the exempt part of the meeting.

- report of Head of Housing Services

Resolved:-  That a report on the above issue be submitted to the Panel’s next meeting.

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services held on 15^th and 29^th March, 2004.

It was noted that plans were in the process of being finalised to provide a further 50,000 properties in May with Blue Boxes.  This would then bring the total to 102,000 out of 107,000 properties.  There would be a small number of outlying villages not on the Scheme but it was hoped they would be included by December, 2004.

Councillor Furnell expressed concern regarding miscellaneous properties and how they fitted in with the Decent Homes Programme.  Tenants were paying rent and seeing what was happening with other properties under Decent Homes and wondered it if was a way to get them to move onto an estate so their property could be disposed of.

The Cabinet Member of Housing and Environmental Services replied that the Decent Homes Programme would be complete by 2010 when all properties would have been improved.  The bigger estates were being improve at the beginning where there was a concentration of Council houses for economical reasons.  Miscellaneous properties by their very nature tended to be one offs and when they became vacant investigations took place to ascertain what resources they would require and their viability.  The Decent Homes Programme would eventually cover all Council properties.

The Scrutiny Panel was represented on the Decent Homes Board and it may be appropriate for the 2 representatives to raise these issues.

Resolved:-  That an overall report on miscellaneous properties be submitted to the next meeting of this Scrutiny Panel.

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 18^th March, 2004, were noted.

It was noted that arrangements were being made for the Scrutiny Panel to visit the Asylum Team.

Resolved:-  That Councillor Jackson represent this Scrutiny Panel on the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Review Group.

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.

The Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services gave a brief verbal report of a meeting with the Audit Commission regarding the recent Housing Repairs and Maintenance Inspection.  However, the information was the subject of a embargo for one month.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 12 of the Act – provision of service/deciding of matter concerning the Council)

- report of Head of Environmental Health

(expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority/supply of services)

In accordance with Minute No. 240 of 29^th March, 2004, the Acting Head of Environmental Health submitted a report setting out suggested options in the adoption of a charging policy for the replacement of wheeled bins at domestic properties.

It was noted that the Cabinet Member had approved arrangements be progressed to introduce a charge for new bins at new build properties and that discussions be held with developers as appropriate.  By adoption of this Policy approximately £30,000 would be recouped.  Blue Boxes would also be provided.

The practice of developers providing wheeled bin provision may be new to Rotherham but it was already common practice in other parts of the country.

Resolved:-  That the adoption of the Policy of charging for household wheeled bin provision at new build be supported.

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

- report of Head of Housing Services

(expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority/supply of services)

In accordance with Minute No. 239 of 29^th March, 2004, the Acting Head of Environmental Health submitted a report setting out options considered by consultants for the future provision of the Cemeteries and Cremation Services.

Members of the Panel asked a range of questions which were answered by the Acting Head of Service and Manager of the Crematorium.

The Cabinet Member reported that this was the first report with further reports to be submitted once the feasibility options had been explored.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted and further reports be submitted in due course.

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