Agenda item

Approximately 25 members of the public were in attendance.

Pursuant to Minute No. 166 of 28^th February, 2005, further consideration was given to the report produced by Curtins Consulting Engineers and their structural assessment of the non-traditional Tarran houses in Maltby.  The Head of Neighbourhood Development drew attention to the consultants’ conclusions and the 4 options, together with associated costs, open to the Council.

The residents presented a reported prepared by themselves which queried the Council’s obligations and responsibilities.  They asked that the Council show no bias towards demolition and recommended that work be undertaken on 1 of the schemes presented by the independent consultants.  The majority of tenants  had stressed their desire to remain in their property  through the 1 to 1 consultation undertaken in Spring, 2004.  The Council had a duty to be open and honest as well as an obligation to ensure the current residents of the estate were treated in a fair and respectful manner.

The Chair invited Tarran residents to ask questions.  The following points were raised/clarified:-

§                     A decision could be made as to the future of the estate whilst the figures were being investigated by the Audit Commission.  If the Commission found that they were incorrect, a report would be submitted to the Cabinet Member.

§                     The Home Loss and Disturbance payments had been costed in accordance with advice from the Home Office.  The Legislation set out a discretionary range that local authorities could choose to pay and it had been costed at the current level Rotherham had chosen.

§                     The valuations undertaken were based on the open market value and not land as per the Audit Commission.

§                     The Council had requested the independent consultants to cost all 4 options to enable proper consideration to be given to the resources required.

§                     The Government Office had been asked if there would be any financial assistance available through the Regional Housing Board to assist with the properties.  No funds were currently available for this type of work.

§                     If agreement could not be reached with a tenant to end their tenancy action would be taken under the Housing Act to repossess the tenancy on grounds that the Council had made a decision for the future use of that property that did not involve the future use of tenancy.  However, there was a great deal of 1 to 1 negotiation.

§                     The report listed the properties that had been surveyed which provided a broad representative sample.

§                     When tenants left their property they could either take with them privately installed parts or be compensated for any improvements they had made.

§                     There was nothing in the proposals that contravened the tenants’ human rights.

§                     The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder was limited to certain geographical areas of the Borough of which Maltby was not part.  The areas had been defined by a Central Government formula and part of a wider South Yorkshire Programme. 

In summing up, the Chair stated that she had been mindful that the properties had been built as temporary accommodation in 1948 for a period of 25 years.   There were now significant problems with the concrete and the roofs and had been classified as defective under Part 16 of the Housing Act 1985.  Consideration had been given to the 4 schemes.  It was not believed that the alternative mortgageable repairs or the Decent Homes Standard options would give a long term future for these houses.  When considering all options best value had to be taken into account together with the stable community.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the independent structural assessment undertaken by Curtins Consulting be noted.

(2)  That the independent assessment of the costs associated with refurbishment or demolition of the properties be noted.

(3)  That the decision made on 19^th July, 2004, be re-affirmed i.e.:-

-           the demolition and redevelopment of the site

-           the granting of re-housing priority to residents of the Tarrans

-           the commencement of negotiations regarding the repurchase of owner-occupied properties on the estate.

(4)  That the redevelopment be for residential houses or bungalows in line with the wishes of residents and consideration given to owner occupation, rented and shared equity.

(5)  That a further report be submitted outlining the feasibility of providing “home swap” arrangements for owner-occupiers of Tarran Newland properties in Maltby.