Agenda and minutes

Further to Minute No. 118 of October, 2006, the Neighbourhood Investment Manager submitted a report highlighting the positive progress made against the action plan and proposed further developments in reducing levels of empty properties within the Borough.

In January, 2009, the Empty Homes agency announced that there were 783,633 empty dwellings in England.  The number of private sector empty for more than 6 months in Rotherham was 1,208 representing 1.42% of the total private sector housing stock and less than half of the national average.

The following highlighted the Wards with a percentage of empty properties above the national average:-

Boston Castle                         5.71%

Dinnington                               4.55%

Maltby                                     4.43%

Rawmarsh                              3.91%

Rother Vale                             3.79%

Wath                                       3.67%

Rotherham West                   3.61%

Wales                                     3.55%

Work was taking place within the Council via the Private Sector Renewal Working Group which had produced a Private Sector Investment Plan identifying that private sector capital investment would be targeted towards:-

§               Private rented housing

§               Vulnerable households

§               Pre-1919 stock

The Working Group was also committed to bringing empty properties back into use and was successfully using a number of interventions to achieve this i.e.:-

§               3 pro active enforcement teams working across the Borough in targeted geographic areas

§               private landlords have brought empty properties back into use and improved the condition of them to the decency standard through the Quality Landlord Scheme

§               Registered Social Landlord partners to acquire and refurbish empty properties to decency standard

The Empty Property Policy Action Plan, attached as Appendix 3 of the report submitted, demonstrated additional activity that was going to be undertaken to reduce the number of private sector empty properties within the Borough.

Performance Indicator BVP164 had been retained by the Council as a measure of reducing and monitoring the number of empty properties within the Borough.  The 2008/09 target had been 120 properties brought back into use but with the outturn figure being overachieved at 124.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress being made in respect of the Empty Property Policy be noted.

(2)  That a further progress report on the Empty Property Policy be submitted in 6 months’ time.

The Director of Independent Living submitted a report setting out the recommendations for spending the 2009/10 Regional Housing Board (RHB) allocation for Sheltered Housing modifications.

The 2008/09 Sheltered Modifications Project had delivered level access improvements to 320 sheltered properties across the Borough.  It was proposed that the 2009/10 RHB allocation of £690,000 be committed to creating level access to the 194 properties listed in Appendix A of the report submitted covering the following 5 sheltered housing schemes:-

Dorothy Taylor (Dalton)

Marshall Close (Rawmarsh)

Pottery Close (Rawmarsh)

Woodland Gardens (Maltby)

Bevan Crescent (Maltby)

Resolved:-  That the 2009/10 budget spend proposal be approved.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Interim Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services, which detailed the proposed 2009-10 fees and charges for Neighbourhood Services’ activities including animal health, food, health and safety, houses in multiple occupation, pest control, pollution control, stray dogs and weights and measures.

The level of fee and charges proposed reflected both corporate guidance regarding any required increase (2%) and also nationally prescribed fee levels e.g. Pollution Control Regulation.  The only departure to the recommended local 2% increase related to the fees set for “weights and measures” activity where a sub-regional agreement was in place to follow national LACORS guidance.

The report submitted made reference to legislation providing powers of discretion for local authorities to make charges for specific services and proposed the level of 2009-10 fees for services where charges were currently made across Neighbourhoods Services.

Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 provided further powers for Best Value Local Authorities in England (including the Council) to make charges for discretionary services, providing the income from the charges did not exceed the service cost, taking one year with another. Reports would be submitted where it was considered appropriate to invoke these powers.

The report and associated appendices set out in detail the schedule of proposed 2009/10 fees and charges and in particular:-

·              The fees charged by Dignity Funerals Ltd. for the bereavement services it provided were currently being reviewed.  A further report would be submitted in due course

·              The 2% increase in animal health, food, health and safety activities

·              The minimum licence fee of £350 for houses in multiple occupation

·              The 2% increase in pest control fees

·              The national approach for consistency of fees and charges for pollution control increasing the fee by 3%

·              Proposed fee increase of 2% for stray dogs

·              LACORS recommended fee increase of 5% for Weights and Measures and prescribed poisons

It was noted that the proposed fee increase for pest control was 2%which would be significantly below the level required to meet the budgeted income target.  Reports would be submitted throughout the year advising of the budgetary position and the value for money assessment carried out in 2008 would be revisited.

Resolved:-  That the proposed fees and charges for 2009-10, as set out in the report, be agreed with effect from 1st May, 2009. 

The Interim Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services presented a report highlighting the actions taken to date to ensure that a fit for purpose training schedule would be in place in line with the outcomes of the Safer Neighbourhood Team Review.

The training identified would ensure that Safer Neighbourhood Team and the wider neighbourhood Partnership Team were equipped with the tools to assist communities in reducing crime and the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.  The suggested training package would not only address the requirements for the SNT but also embed a training package that would meet the wider capacity building requirements of the wider partner “Neighbourhood Team”. 

Attention was drawn to the fact that engagement of Elected Members and their role needed to be built into the training wherever possible. 

The training was not accredited as it was a bespoke package developed for Rotherham.  A dedicated Police Officer had worked with the Neighbourhood Partnership Manager to bring together the training as a wider partnership event and would be delivered by the Police Officer.  The first test of the training would be carried out in Wentworth North in late April 2009.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the work already carried out in respect of the training be recognised.

(2)  That the need for training which would underpin Service Plan objectives for Neighbourhood and Adult Services and be incorporated into the Performance Development Review of all Council staff who were part of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Area Partnership Teams be noted.

In November, 2007, the Cabinet approved the delegation of certain functions of the Council under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to the Executive of Birmingham City Council in order to take advantage of expertise and funding located with the Illegal Money Lending Team based in Birmingham City Council (Minute No. 101 refers).

At the time, the authorisation was only based on the period for which Central Government funding was available i.e. until the end of March, 2009.  The funding had now been extended up until the end of March, 2011.

It was proposed that a new protocol be signed along the lines of the original one with an open ended term.  The current protocol already contained a clause which allowed Rotherham to withdraw provided there were reasonable grounds for doing so.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Cabinet be asked to recommend to Council certain functions of the Council under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 be delegated to the Executive of Birmingham City Council in the following terms:-

“Without prejudice to Rotherham Borough Council’s duty in its capacity as an enforcement authority to enforce the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the functions conferred upon Rotherham Borough Council under Parts III (Licensing of Credit and Hire Business) and Part XII (Enforcement of Act) of the 1974 Act be delegated to the Executive of Birmingham City Council for the period commencing on 1st April, 2009 and continuing for the life of the Birmingham Illegal Money Lending Team or until Rotherham Borough Council withdraws.”

(2)  That the ‘protocol for illegal money lending team investigations’ be approved and the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services be authorised to sign it. 

The Performance Management Officer submitted the summary of the findings of the 2008/09 Status (Tenant Satisfaction) Survey.

National Indicator 160 was created to measure local authority tenants’ satisfaction with landlord services and all local authorities who had retained all or part management of their housing stock were required to report on this Indicator.

The Council had commissioned BMG Research Ltd. to carry out a postal status survey.  2,000 random questionnaires and letters had been mailed out with 2 full reminder mailings sent to those who did not or could not respond to prior mailings.  853 (43%) had been completed and returned to BMG.

The results were set out in the report submitted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the summary of results be noted.

(2)  That the areas for development be captured within the annual revision to the Delivery Plan.

(3)  That the results be used to inform the negotiations and setting of the Management Fee.

(4)  That a joint report be submitted by the Landlords Relations Manager setting out a joint improvement plan.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those paragraphs listed 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.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

The Director of Independent Living reported on the above agencies which had received grant funding from the Council for a number of years albeit without a formal Service Level Agreement being in place.  Both organisations now had contracts with Supporting People Commissioners which should fully fund their expenditure. 

Since 1996 both agencies had utilised the annual grant funding to cover the operational costs of running their service and would find it difficult to make savings to cover the loss of income within a short space of time.  The Supporting People Commissioning Group had agreed to cover the costs for 2009/10 from May, 2009.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account funding paid to Rush House and the Rotherham Women’s Refuge be replaced with Supporting People Grant for 1 year with effect from May, 2009.

(2)  That the funds be redirected to alternative homelessness prevention services delivered by Housing Choices.

(3)  That a report be submitted, for information, in due course on the value for money review to be conducted on these services by the Supporting People Team.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

The Neighbourhood Investment Manager submitted a report on the rationale for investment in a further 60 non-traditional Airey properties identified as sustainable and a priority for investment.

The Council to date had approved investment in 607 non-traditional Council-owned properties the investment programme for which was well advanced.  The remaining 191 properties, of varying non-traditional construction, were awaiting final decision following Ward Member and community consultation and subject to final proposals being submitted to Cabinet Member for consideration.

The funding to undertake structural investment works in the properties identified in the report was available within the 2009/10 approved Housing Investment Programme.

Further reports regarding the remaining 131 non-traditional properties would be submitted per property type and area in order of investment priority once final proposals were available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That investment in the 60 Airey properties identified in the report submitted be approved.

(2)  That further reports be submitted regarding the remaining 131 non-traditional properties once investment recommendations were available.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

Further to Minute No. 49 of 28^th July, 2008, the Neighbourhood Investment Manager reported that the Neighbourhood Investment Services was now in a position to commence the procurement of the approved works at Dalton and also the further Airey properties identified, subject to approval and the necessary investment resources having been identified within the approved 2009/10 Housing Investment Programme.

Prior to commencement of the works, it was necessary to appoint a project management team to undertake the procurement of the specialist contractor to develop a detailed design specification and to manage all works undertaken under the direction of the Neighbourhood Investment Service as client.

The Council’s construction partners, 2010 Rotherham Ltd. and RCP (Rotherham Construction Partnership)) had both expressed an interest in undertaking the project management of future structural repair works and were invited to submit quotes.

Based upon advice and support offered by RBT Procurement, the submissions had been considered.

Resolved:-  That the appointment of RCP as the preferred partner to undertake the project management and procurement of structural repair works to Airey properties approved for investment be supported.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))