Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 21 September 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 21 September 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a verbal update from the Managing Director of Fareham Housing on Fire Issues and Precautions.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Property Services Manager on Fire Issues and Precautions.

The update provided information to Members on fire risk assessments across the Borough which have now been reviewed and an action plan developed to deal with their recommendations.  Information was also provided in respect of annual smoke alarm testing, periodic electrical lighting testing and annual fire alarm maintenance for blocks of flats across the Borough.  Details were also provided on properties that had received cladding materials during refurbishments and their performance in the event of a fire.  This included the assurances provided by manufacturers.  The newly built properties such as Collingwood, Sylvan and Stevenson Courts have some cladding in areas but are of a different type of system than Grenfell Tower. 

Members noted the comprehensive review of fire safety carried out in Council owned properties across the Borough but raised concern that the same level of scrutiny might not be carried out in Housing Association properties.  As the Council does not have a legal right to carry out risk assessments on non-Council owned properties it was AGREED that Housing Associations should be asked to provide the Panel with a report on their fire safety arrangements.

To consider a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which provides an update on Homelessness.

The Panel received a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which provided an update on the progress being made in delivering the Council’s Homelessness and Housing Options Strategy 2014-17.

Members were asked to note an amendment to item 2d of the table provided in Appendix A to the report which advises that the correct number of properties the Council has purchased using Right to Buy receipts is 11. 

It was AGREED that the Panel notes:

(a)  the progress made to date in meeting the 19 actions in the current Homelessness and Housing Options Strategy;

(b)  the progress made in reviewing particular areas of the Council’s homelessness and advice services; and

(c)  the new homelessness legislation set to the implemented in April 2018.

To consider a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which invites the Panel to review the work programme for 2017/18.

The Panel considered a report by the Managing Director of Fareham Housing which provided a review of the current work programme 2017/18.

The Managing Director of Fareham Housing advised Members that he is aware that the Panel will be keen to hear how the new Fareham Housing department will be structured and what the Council’s new Housing strategy will be. A presentation on this will therefore be given at the meeting of the Panel scheduled to take place on 06 March 2018.

It was AGREED that the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel:-

(a)  agrees that a presentation on Fareham Housing be added to the agenda of the March meeting of the 2017/18 Work Programme; and

(b)  subject to the inclusion of the item outlined in (a) above, approves the programme of items for 2017/18 as set out in the Appendix to this report.