Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 12 November 2015.

The Chairman addressed the Panel to provide an update on Minute 6 -Presentation from Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group, which stated that the Red Cross would be moving into the Community Hospital at the end of January 2016. He informed the Panel that this has not happened as the issue with regards to the high charges for the use of the space has yet to be resolved.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the 12 November 2015 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 report by the Chairman for Health and Housing on Local Strategic Health Issues.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Chairman on local health issues.

He report that there has been no progress made with regards to the Community Hospital and that the problem with the fees being applied to those who wish to use the Hospital is still no further along. In addition to this the on-going issue with the lack of management structure at the Hospital is having a major impact of the under use of the facilities.

Members expressed deep concern over the continuing problems at the Hospital which are resulting in the Hospital not being utilised, and requested that the Chairman explore other avenues to try and progress some of these issues along.

The Chairman did inform members that the local M.P has indeed been meeting with senior officers from the organisations involved with the Community Hospital to try and resolve the on-going problems.

The Panel requested a further update on the progress of this for the next meeting.

It was AGREED that the Chairman be thanked for his verbal update.

To receive a verbal update by the Senior Housing Officer (Options) on progress made against action resulting from the Rough Sleeper Working Group, as set out in Appendix A.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Senior Housing Officer (Options) on Rough Sleepers in the Borough, as set out in Appendix A, on the 6 actions that were agreed by the Working Group who were tasked with tackling rough sleepers.

The progress made on each action is set out below:

  (i).        Desire to make permanent the post of the Outreach Worker – This post has been secured until March 2017 and future funding opportunities are being investigated in order to be able to continue the post for future years.

 (ii).        Exploring the possibility of producing a leaflet for the Basic Bank – A leaflet has been drafted and the Council is currently in consultation with the basics bank regarding it. Another possibility that is being considered is producing little cards which will contact the contact details of other local agencies that could be assistance to those who need the help of the Basics Bank.

(iii).        Raise Knowledge and Awareness of the Health and Wellbeing Centre in Fareham – This is currently delayed until the Spring.

(iv).        The Allocations Policy – The current Allocations Policy will be reviewed and revised this year, and emphasis will be placed on the policy having successful ‘move on’ plans.

 (v).        Engage with Mental Health Providers – This still remains a challenge. There has been some success on a one to one basis with a rough sleeper and an individual mental health worker but is largely unsuccessful in a broader sense.

(vi).        Continue and maintain the Rough Sleeper Multi Agency Meetings – These meetings are still continuing, they are mainly arranged by and held at Fareham Police Station. The meetings are well attended and very useful.

The Panel passed their thanks on to the members and officers involved in the Rough Sleeper working group and for the extremely impressive report which has a very positive approach to tackling rough sleeping.

It was AGREED, that the Senior Housing Officer (Options) be thanked for the verbal update.

To receive a verbal report by the Director Operations on Affordable Housing.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Director of Operations on the progress made on the following affordable housing schemes:

Collingwood Court -  Work has been completed on this and the majority of tenants have now moved in. There has been a slight noise issue from the plant room at the base of the building but this is being dealt with. Councillor Mrs Hockley informed the Panel that she has had contact with several of the tenants there and they have all reported as being extremely happy with the new facilities.

Stevenson Court – There has been a formal request for an extension of time for this project. The completion date is now looking to be 16 May 2016.

Passivhaus Scheme – Progressing well and is only slightly behind programme. The houses past the air pressure test in November 2015 and the internal works are now well underway. Completion is expected in February 2016. It has been agreed that for the first year of tenancy in the properties the Council will be carrying out regular monitoring to ensure that the properties are meeting the energy standards required.

Sylvan Court – Excellent progress is being made with this scheme and it is currently 7 weeks ahead of schedule. The anticipated completion date is currently November 2016.

Hampshire Rose Site – proposals are currently being considered for this site for possibly 20 mixed units of 1 and 2 bed properties. More detailed drawings of the proposal are currently being put together in order to be present to the Aspect Housing Board meeting.

123 Bridge Road – Planning permission was granted for this development in June 2015. Slow progress on project at present due to some ecological issues concerning slow worms and dormice on site.

It was AGREED, that the Director of Operations be thanked for the update.

To consider a report by the Tenant Involvement Officer on Tenant Engagement.

The Panel considered a report by the Tenant Involvement Officer on Tenant Engagement.

The report outlined the various ways in which the Council engages with its tenants.

The Panel expressed some confusion over Councillors attendance at tenant meetings, and have asked for clarification as to whether Ward Councillor’s need to be invited to tenant meetings and estate inspections or whether they can just turn up if they wish to attend. The Tenant Involvement Officer confirmed that she would obtain clarification on this and would report back to the members of the Panel.

It was AGREED that the Panel note the content of the report.

To Consider a report by the Planned Maintenance Manager on Council Housing Repairs and Maintenance

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations on Council Housing Repairs and Maintenance.

The Panel were informed that the Housing Repairs In-House team has been operating for almost a year, using the new ‘systems thinking’ approach and the performance indicators are showing a consistent level of service being delivered. As part of the new in-house team they have also introduced a van stock and materials delivery service which has enabled them to be able to complete repairs on the first visit rather than having to book a follow up visit.

The Panel noted the excellent progress that has been made over the past 12 months, but enquired as to how the cost of the new way of working is being monitored and requested that financial information be provided in future reports to the Panel.

The Director of Operations addressed the Panel to explain that the cost associated with the new way of working is being carefully monitored by accountants and directors. He also reminded the Panel that the process is still in its first year and therefore it would be too difficult at present to be able to gather any real information, and realistically it would take several years before the true costs are established. He also explained that due to the change in the way of working it would be difficult to compare figures against the old way of working as the figures would not be comparable.

The Planned Maintenance Manager suggested that costs relating to the new systems thinking way of working could be incorporated into future reports that are brought to the Panel.

It was AGREED, that the Panel notes the contents of the report.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for the remainder of the current year 2015/16 and gives preliminary consideration to the draft Work Programme for 2016/17.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations on a review of the current work programme 2015/16 and the draft work programme for 2016/17.

The Director of Operations addressed the Panel on this item and handed round a suggested work programme for 2016/17, and invited members to add any additional items on to it.

The Panel expressed a desire to have more health items on the agenda but were informed that all health issues were dealt with via Hampshire County Council and that Fareham Borough Council does not have any powers over health issues; however it does recognise that it has a responsibility to represent local concerns.  It was therefore agreed to include a presentation from the Clinical Commissioning Group and a presentation from Public Health on the Joint Needs Assessment onto the 2016/17 work programme.

It was also agreed that a Rough Sleeper Update be included onto the 2016/17 work programme for the January 2017 meeting.

It was AGREED that, subject to the inclusion of the items listed above into the 2016/17 work programme, the current work programme for 2015/16 and the draft work programme for 2016/17, be approved.