Agenda and minutes

Councillor Wallis declared a personal interest in Minute No. 13 (Private Rented Housing – Selective Licensing) as the owner-occupier of residential premises in one of the areas which was the subject of public consultation in respect of the proposed licensing scheme.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

There were no items to report.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission, held on 18th June, 2014, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Further to Minute No. 53(2) of the meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on 26h March, 2014 and Minute No. 236 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9th April, 2014, consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhood and Adult Services, which provided details of the consultation feedback about the proposed selective licensing scheme for landlords of private rented housing and included recommendations based on the responses, comments and representations made. The report stated that approximately two-thirds of residents’ responses had expressed their support for a mandatory selective licensing scheme, although local landlords expressed opinions against such regulation.

The scheme was under consideration because of the Council’s wish to secure an effective and efficient way of dealing with the issues which occur with private rented sector housing. The proposals consulted upon were that Selective Licensing designations under the Housing Act 2004 should be introduced in three areas of the Borough:-

- Rotherham Central (including the Town Centre, Canklow, South Central and Boston Castle, Eastwood and Masbrough)

- Dinnington

- Maltby South East

The report, which included options for the introduction of either a mandatory selective licensing scheme or a voluntary local scheme, is intended to be submitted for further consideration at the meeting of the Cabinet to be held on Wednesday, 24th September, 2014. Consideration was continuing as to which approach would be the preferred way forward to ensure the objectives of the proposal would be achieved.

The Select Commission’s discussion of this issue included the following salient matters:-

: the scrutiny review of housing in the private rented sector (2012);

: the range of legislative powers available, which enable the Council to fulfil its responsibility to take action against irresponsible housing landlords (eg: HHSRS enforcement; management orders; compulsory purchase of property);

: the Council’s previous attempt to introduce a voluntary licensing scheme had not succeeded because of a low level of take-up by landlords and an over-reliance on the Borough Council to resource the sceme;

: the key elements of a mandatory scheme (eg: areas of low housing demand and high turn-over of tenants and where there is a high incidence of anti-social behaviour linked to rented housing);

: the various consultation meetings held, responses received and online communications received, about the proposed licensing scheme;

: the consultation responses received from residents showed that a large majority of residents were in favour of a selective licensing scheme; by contrast, the responses showed that the vast majority of landlords were not in favour of such a scheme;

: the Council’s dialogue and engagement with residents, with landlords and with landlords’ associations;

: the Council’s dialogue and engagement with managing/lettings agents (who act on behalf of landlords) and the responsibility of such agents for maintaining acceptable housing standards;

: the legal requirement, embedded in central Government guidance, for the Council to consider any other course of action that might provide an effective method of achieving the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Further to Minute No. 35 of the meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on 27th November, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Contract and Service Development Manager, describing the progress of the repairs and maintenance service provided for this Councils Housing Stock during the last twelve months. The report stated that the service is provided the Willmott Dixon Partnership and by Morrison Facility Services.

Members noted that, because of continuing satisfactory performance, the contracts with both companies will be extended until 31^st March, 2018. Contained within the report were details of:-

:      shared financial savings and value for money

:      customer volunteer inspections and mystery shopper exercises

:      legacy projects (eg: building new accommodation, in the Rockingham area, specifically for people with a disability);

:      key performance indicators and performance management

:      learning from complaints

:      responsive repairs

:      void (empty) properties (the ‘turn-around time’ of these properties for re-letting); ensuring that the number of void properties is less than 1% of the entire stock of Council housing

:      void properties – problems of neglected gardens and outhouses

:      trial of the use of “master keys” to increase the security of properties and also to assist in reducing the ‘turn-around time’ of void properties

:      gas and cyclical works

:      gas responsive repairs

:      planned and capital works

:      aids and adaptations

:      the contractors’ corporate and social responsibility.

The Select Commission’s discussion of this issue included the following salient issues:-

:           back-to-back lettings (introduced in January 2014) and the incidence of properties being let to new tenants, even though all repairs have not been completed; it was noted that the standard checks and repairs are always undertaken in these cases (eg: electrical safety checks);

:           action taken against departing tenants, who have caused damage to properties; repairs will be identified during inspections undertaken at the time of termination of the tenancy and the cost of repairs may be recharged to the departing tenant;

:           ensuring that the condition of the gardens of void properties does not suffer because of neglect;

:           customer satisfaction and its impact upon key performance levels and targets;

:           aids and adaptations, undertaken at Council properties, provided for tenants who have a disability; the impact of central Government policy was acknowledged.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission concerning the planned and capital works to this Council’s stock of housing.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Corporate Environmental Manager, stating that the purpose of collective switching is to allow consumers to group together to increase their buying power and to negotiate a better deal from gas and electricity suppliers. The more people who are involved in a switch, the bigger the buying power and the better the deal is likely to be.

An assessment of the feasibility of implementing a Rotherham collective switching scheme had been carried out by this Council’s Corporate Environmental Team during February, 2014. The assessment had examined various schemes; reviewed costs, benefits and potential funding; resource implications; risks; uncertainties and feasibility. Details of the assessment were included within the report.

The Select Commission discussed the following salient issues:-

: switching schemes operated by other local authorities (eg: the scheme operated by Kirklees MDC (Huddersfield) was cited as a successful scheme); however, the uptake was low (8.7% at Kirklees) and there was no known data of actual reductions or increased tariff after the first year;

: all of the Councils assessed used a third party, ichooser, to administer the switching schemes;

: the scheme could have a negative impact on households suffering fuel poverty and on vulnerable people in the Rotherham Borough area and checks, support, resources and long-term actions would be required to prevent such impact.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That, because of the resource implications compared with the risk and the small percentage of householders that may benefit, the implementation of a ‘Bigswitch’ style scheme is not supported.

(3) That this Select Commission considers that officers should focus resources on these issues:-

(a) continuing to work with tenants to reduce energy consumption;

(b) Housing and Neighbourhoods Services should assess the feasibility of Neighbourhood Wardens working with residents to secure the best utility prices through price comparison sites;  and

(c) the Corporate Environmental Team shall continue to monitor the energy markets in case the situation changes.

Further to Minute No. 20 of the meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on 4th September, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Scrutiny Manager concerning the progress of the scrutiny review of the support for Rotherham’s local economy. This review was being undertaken for several reasons, including: the changes to Local Government Finance (in particular, the business rates); the need to generate employment and training opportunities for local residents; and the need to secure private sector investment in the local economy.

An initial draft of the scrutiny review report, including recommendations, was also considered.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the final version of the report of the scrutiny review of supporting the local economy be submitted to the next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission, to be held on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014.

Further to Minute No. 54 of the meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on 26^th March, 2014, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Scrutiny Manager, concerning this Select Commission’s scrutiny work programme. The Council’s Constitution required this Select Commission to carry out the overview and scrutiny of issues relating to:-

- community cohesion and social inclusion and the Council’s specific initiatives to promote them;

- tourism, culture and leisure services and strategies;

- Borough-wide Housing and Neighbourhood strategies;

- economic development and regeneration strategies;

- environment and sustainable development.

The report provided details of future agenda items and potential themes for consideration during 2014/2015.

Members were invited to send their individual comments to Scrutiny Manager. It was also suggested that information should be reported to meetings of this Select Commission on these issues:-

: the coalition Government Department for Transport open consultation about the future of the Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchises – concern had been expressed about the level of public subsidy for these rail services;

: the management of allotment sites and the availability of land for such sites.

Members noted the allocation of staff resources for detailed scrutiny reviews of certain specific topics.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the scrutiny work programme, as now submitted, be approved.

To appoint one representative to the Recycling Group.

To appoint one representative to the Environment and Climate Change Steering Group.

To appoint one representative to the Housing Assessment Panel (three representatives in total with two to attend the meetings on a rotational basis).

Resolved:- That, further to Minute No. 8(2) of the meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on 18th June, 2014, the following appointments of representatives from the Improving Places Select Commission to the groups listed below, be approved for the 2014/2015 Municipal Year:-

Recycling Group - Councillor Gosling

Environment and Climate Change Steering Group - Councillor Wallis

Housing Assessment Panel – Councillor Sims.