Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 21 January 2016.

The Chairman addressed the Panel and suggested that the wording in item 11 of the minutes – Preliminary Review of Work Programme 2015/16 and Draft Work Programme 2016/17, third paragraph by changed to:-

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 216/17 work programme.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the wording of the minutes of the meeting held on the 21^st January 2016 - item 11– Preliminary Review of Work Programme 2015/16 and Draft Work Programme 2016/17 being amended to: - ‘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’; and

(b)  subject to the amendment above, the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel held on 21 January 2016 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 by the Chairman of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel on Local Strategic Health Issues.

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

He reported that since the last meeting there had been two meetings of the task group set up by the local M.P, but regrettably little progress had been made to tackle the ongoing issues with the community hospital. However the Chairman did confirm that an agreement had been made with a local care home, Hawthorn Court, who will be making up to eight beds available to assist with aftercare for patients discharged from the hospital, which should help reduce bed-blocking.

The Chairman also informed members that there had also been some headway made regarding the walk-in centre for minor injuries at the hospital, which is being set up to take some of the pressure off of QA. Hours are being extended, five rooms have been allocated for the clinic and the CCG (Clinical Commission Group) are working with local GPs who will run the centre on a rota basis.

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

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits on the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme.

The Panel received a verbal update from the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits on the affordable housing programme.

The update outlined the excellent progress being made against the corporate target to enable the provision of 500 new affordable homes over a 6 year period ending 31 March 2017. The current forecast shows a projected shortfall of only 17 homes. The Panel asked for clarification on the type of properties being provided, the Head of Housing Revenues and Benefits confirmed that the majority completed to date were family-sized homes.

The Panel were also asked to note the financial challenges going forward with the Social Rent Reduction coming into force, as well as other changes in legislation that may affect the Council’s 2017-2022 Strategy for affordable housing.

Members asked for progress on the current affordable housing schemes, the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits updated members as follows:-

·         Hampshire Rose – Work is progressing well to bring the scheme to planning permission stage by the summer.

·         Passivhaus Scheme – The six properties were completed at the end of February and have achieved Passivhaus status. Six families on the Council’s Housing Waiting List have been identified as possible tenants.

·         Holly Hill Mansions – Officers have held a meeting with residents to make them aware of an opportunity for a move to the new build scheme at Sylvan Court.

·         123 Bridge Road – Planning permission has been granted.

The Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits was thanked for her verbal update.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits on the Tenancy Management Performance.

The Panel considered a report by Director of Operations on the Tenancy Management Performance. 

Members requested that in future reports, where graphs illustrate figures detailing a specific period; as shown on pages 8 and 9 of the report, that they also show how these figures have changed or compare to previous years/periods.

The Panel were asked to note that since the agenda was published the level of arrears to date had seen a reduction to 1.68%.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Operations, which invites the Panel to assess the overall progress against the Work Programme for 2015/16 and finalise the proposed 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 finalised the proposed work programme for 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the final work programme for 2015/16 and the proposed work programme for 2016/17 be approved.