Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor B Bayford.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on Thursday 10March 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel held on the 10 March 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed the newly appointed members to the Panel.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs K K Trott addressed the Panel to give an update on a conference that she recently attended on the Future of Social Housing.

Councillor Mrs K K Trott advised that the conference was very informative, the main thing she gained was assurance that the Council does a very good job for its residents, with the best practises already implemented within the service currently provided by the Housing Team.

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 presentation by the Director of Operations on the Achievements, Priorities and Challenges for the Panel

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Operations on the Achievements, Priorities and Challenges for the Panel. The Presentation gave an overview of the Health and Housing Portfolio Services which included –

·               The Role of the Panel for Health – to influence local health issues and the information given at every meeting by the Chairman under the Health Updates item on the agenda.

·               The Role of the Panel for Housing – reviewing performance, policies recommendations to Executive and the Offices that provide reports to the Panel relating to:-

o      Council Housing – the role of the Tenancy Services team in managing our housing stock and the role of the Responsive Repairs Team in maintaining it.

o      Housing Options – the team responsible for allocations to social housing, the waiting list, homelessness and advice.

o      Private Sector Housing – the team carry out a range of activities for non-council owned properties, including providing facilities to enable disabled residents to stay in their home and bringing empty homes back into circulation.

o      New Development – working alongside Planning and Development colleagues to deliver new affordable housing in the Borough.

·               Key Challenges Ahead – how the Panel will be informed of ways the Service is managing challenges through reports brought to future meetings.

Councillor Mrs M Brady left the room during this item.

It was AGREED that the Director of Operations be thanked for a very informative presentation.

To receive a verbal update from the Chairman of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel on Local Strategic Health Issues.

Councillor Mrs M Brady returned to the room at the start of this item.

In the absence of Chairman Councillor B Bayford, the Director of Operations addressed the Panel on this item.

The Director of Operations updated the Panel with details of two meetings that the Panel Chairman, Councillor B Bayford, and he had attended: - The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainability and Transformation Plan and the Fareham Better Local Care. He explained that both groups had similar concerns, with the emphasis being on improving services for the patient, the challenges faced across the county to manage the large deficit from central government funding and the importance of all the bodies working together going forward.

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

To consider the annual report by the Head of Housing, Revenues & Benefits on the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme.

The Panel received a report by The Head of Housing, Revenues & Benefits on an annual review of the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme.  

The Head of Housing, Revenues & Benefits gave a detailed overview of the report which outlined to the Panel what the Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme is; who benefits from the payments and how the Benefits team work to allocate the payments through a thorough application process.

It was AGREED that members note the contents of the report.

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Housing, Revenues & 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, giving a presentation to show new Panel Members the completed, ongoing and future schemes being developed by the Council.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Operations, which invites the Panel to review the work programme for 2016/17

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations on a review of the current work programme 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the proposed work programme for 2016/17 be approved.