Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 84 of 29^th September, 2008, the Director of Independent Living reported on the outcomes of the consultation that had taken place on proposals to discontinue the provision of guest bedrooms, increase the cost of using the laundry and to introduce a protocol for charges and use of the centres by tenants, residents and other stakeholders.

Consultation had commenced in November 2008 and was delivered by the Neighbourhood Centre Manager. A letter explaining what the consultation process would involve was sent to every tenant in sheltered accommodation with on-site communal facilities together with 49 consultation meetings held in Neighbourhood Centres to offer tenants the opportunity to express their opinions. The response to the questionnaire was positive with 746 questionnaires returned. Overall attendance at the meetings was good, enabling lively discussions around the future use of the Neighbourhood Centres.

Overall, the response to the proposed changes was extremely encouraging. The vast majority of respondents agreed to the following proposals:

·              the centres being hired to other groups at times where there is no regular tenant activity.

·              allowing the centre activities to involve the wider community with sensitivity to be taken into account in relation to activities such as grandchildren’s parties and activities involving young people.

·              non-residents should be allowed to join in the regular activities as many tenants felt that activities would cease without their involvement.

However, concerns raised included:-

-              Increased use of the centres may lead to more noise, parking problems and security issues

-              Charging non-residents for the use of the centres, either by a regular weekly charge, or on a “pay as you go” basis

-              Mixed response to the conversion of guest bedroom.  Some felt it was an important part of their Tenancy Agreement and, if a tenant was ill, family could stay.  However, usage did not reflect this

-              Although 51% were in favour of an increase in laundry charges, some felt that the proposed rise from 10p to £1 was too large in 1 step.

Based on the above, it was proposed that:

• The protocol in Appendix 1 be introduced from 6^th April 2009. The Neighbourhood Centre Manager should work with the Wardens on every single scheme and establish where the pay-as-you-go approach should be introduced, and how the income collected would be safely deposited and accounted for. This included identifying those non-residents who would be willing to pay the weekly charge for full use of the buildings and making appropriate payment arrangements.

• That laundry charges be increased from 6^th April 2009 from 10p per wash and 10p per dry to 50p, and from April 2010, this should be increased to £1 per wash and £1 per dry.

• That any decision about the longer term use of the guest bedrooms be deferred until the broader review had taken place.

It was also proposed that all tenants were contacted and given feedback from the consultation and details of what had been agreed. This should take place immediately to enable 1 month’s notice of the proposed changes taking effect.

In relation to the broader review of the centres, Appendix 2 provided a summary of the work being undertaken by the Neighbourhood Investment Team. It was proposed that consultation commence with Elected Members during March and April to discuss and review the information currently held about the centres and to determine options for their future use. This would also include further consultation with tenants, before the first set of recommendations were presented to the Cabinet Member in June, with final recommendation due in September 2009.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the outcomes of the consultation process be noted.

(2)  That the protocol set out in Appendix 1 of the report submitted in relation to the charges for the centres be approved and take effect as from 6^th April, 2009.

(3)  That any final decision on the use of the guest bedrooms be deferred until the broader review had taken place and the progress being made on this by the Neighbourhood Investment Team be noted.

(4)  That the laundry charges, as set out above, be approved.