Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

There no members of the public and press present at the meeting.

The Chair suggested, given the membership of the Select Commission included a number of new Members, that consideration be given to holding meetings at alternate times of the day.

Members were requested to contact Christine Majer, Scrutiny Officer, with their preference of a morning or evening meeting.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission, held on 13^th April, 2016, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Mr. D. Richmond, Director of Housing, Asset Management & Neighbourhood Services, and Mr. A. Heppenstall, Housing Projects Co-ordinator, presented the new Tenancy Agreement.

The new Agreement, together with the required preliminary Notice of Variation (as required under Section 103 of the Housing Act 1985) highlighting the proposed changes, had been issued to all tenants on 21^st November, 2014, for a 12 week consultation period.

545 feedback documents had been received from tenants of which 479 were in favour of the new Tenancy Agreement.  The issues that concerned the 35 unhappy respondents were:-

-          18 were unhappy about the move from a 48 to 52 week rent collection period

-          7 had concerns regarding having to maintain their own sheds

-          3 expressed dissatisfaction that only tenants living in properties with their own outdoor space and with private (rather than shared) access could keep pets that required time outdoors e.g. cats and dogs

-          2 suggested that the nuisance and annoyance clauses should be stricter

-          2 confused by the term ‘flexible’ tenancies and thought they would lose their ‘secure’ status

-          1 felt that the new Agreement was oppressive overall

-          1 felt they should be allowed to use their air rifle in their garden without seeking permission

-          1 suggested that it should be the responsibility of the Council to change light bulbs

Discussion ensued on the proposed Agreement with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·           Was there a limit on how many animals are allowed without permission?

This predominantly related to people who lived in flats.  Each case would be looked at on its own merits

·           There had been difficulty in residents being able to source replacement light bulbs without contacting the Council

This would be referred to the Affordable Warmth and Sustainable Energy Co-ordinator

·           Concern regarding properties such as bungalows that had special lights fitted that could not be accessed

Some properties had very specialised sealed units and in those instances the Service would change them.  Depending upon whether or not it was a specialist unit that people could get access to but, if they were finding it difficult for whatever reason, there may be some recharge

·           It is a very poor response to the consultation

It was a lengthy document that could have deterred tenants from responding.   A tenants and residents survey had just been completed which had received a 30% return but had been a much easier document to complete

·           The document was shared with the Area Housing Panel Chairs meeting and Quality Standards meeting but no feedback from either of those were contained within the document

·           How would the Tenancy Agreement be enforced with the reduction in staff that had taken place? 

       It was a good point and consideration had been given to increasing its robustness.  Attempts had been made to define what was meant as a breach of the Agreement e.g. playing loud music

·           There was a feeling that all Council tenants had been tarred with the anti-social behaviour brush.  The policing of it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Resolved:-  That Councillor McNeely be appointed as the representative from the Improving Places Select Commission to the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year, with Councillor Taylor as the substitute representative.