Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 07 November 2019.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 07 November 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements made at this meeting.

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 from Two Saints to address the Housing Scrutiny Panel on the matters outlined in the scoping report.

The Panel received a verbal presentation from James McDermott (Regional Director) and Georgina Joyce (Contract and Performance Manager) from Two Saints. Providing details to Members on the matters outlined in the scoping report which was agreed by the Panel at their meeting on the 07 November 2020. Two Saints also provided a report to Members which has been tabled.

The Panel considered the contents of the report and asked questions, primarily around the funding of the service and circumstances Two Saints struggle to support clients. The reduction in funding has had an impact on the services that Two Saints can provide, although Members agreed that they are providing an invaluable service with the monies they do currently receive. The lack of varied accommodation is the main struggle for homeless people across the Borough, as the options that are currently available are not always appropriate meaning Two Saints are not able to support these people.

It was highlighted to Members that, although the funding is sufficient, the current funding streams are applied for annually, meaning funds aren’t guaranteed. This causes problems with securing staff and doesn’t allow the service to have a long-term strategic plan. The service is therefore providing reactive support for vulnerable people. If funding could be secured for a 3-year period, for example, the service could start to be proactive and support a greater number of local people who are at risk of homelessness.

There were also discussions around the potential impact that a Coronavirus outbreak could have on the homeless community in Fareham. James McDermott advised that meetings are taking place across the area and Two Saints Business Continuity Plan will be discussed to minimise the impact on staffing and the clients who have underlying health conditions and may contract the virus.

The Chairman thanked Two Saints for attending the meeting and providing the Panel with a very informative report.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered the contents of the verbal presentation and tabled report, making comments and raising questions for clarification.

To receive an update by the Affordable Housing Strategic Lead which provides Members with an update on affordable housing. To also incorporate detail about the funding arrangements for new projects as requested by the Panel at their meeting on 11 July 2019

The Panel received a presentation from Robyn Lyons, Affordable Housing Strategic Lead, which updated the Panel with a detailed overview of the progress of the key sites managed by Fareham Housing.

A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

Members asked if the delays to the Bridge Road and Highlands Road developments had any financial implications. Officers advised that there is likely to be cost implications for the delays but until the construction is complete these figures couldn’t be confirmed.

The presentation also outlined how Fareham Borough Council funds New Council Homes. Several different funding sources are available which all have different rules and restrictions on how and when they can be used. The Affordable Housing Strategic Lead, with the help of the Finance Business Partner, Kate Busby, provided a detailed explanation of this very complex subject to allow Members of the Panel a better understanding of how the Council’s new homes are funded and why it is not always possible to easily utilise all the funds available.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered the contents of the presentation.

At the Council meeting on the 21 February 2020 the following Motion was received from Councillor K K Trott: -

“I propose that Fareham Borough Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to review the way Councils can use the proceeds from the ‘Right to Buy’ policy, in order to facilitate the provision of more, much needed, Affordable homes including those for Social Rent.”

The Housing Scrutiny Panel are asked to consider the Motion.

The Panel considered a Motion received by Councillor Mrs K K Trott which had been referred to the Housing Scrutiny Panel from the 21 February 2020 Council meeting: -

“I propose that Fareham Borough Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to review the way Councils can use the proceeds from the ‘Right to Buy’ policy, in order to facilitate the provision of more, much needed, Affordable homes including those for Social Rent.”

Councillor Mrs K K Trott addressed the Panel to provide details to the Panel on her Motion to Council. She thanked Officers for assisting Members in understanding of the complex issues that influence the use of funding sources for Council homes during Item 7 – Affordable Housing Update. Members expressed frustration at the difficulties facing all Council’s with the rules surrounding the funds received from the sale of Council houses through ‘Right to Buy’. Currently these funds have several constraints, including; which sources of funding can be used on the same project, time restrictions and that these funds have to be used in conjunction with a large percentage of funds from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Affordable Housing Update presentation (Item 7) attached to these Minutes provides an explanation of these funding sources and how they can be used.

The Motion was proposed and then seconded with Members unanimously agreeing that a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government from the Chairman of the Housing Scrutiny Panel. 

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel: -

(a)  considered the Motion received from Councillor Mrs K K Trott; and

(b)  asked Officers to write a letter on behalf of the Chairman of the Housing Scrutiny Panel to send to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, requesting a review of the way Councils can use the proceeds from the ‘Right to Buy’ policy, in order to facilitate the provision of more, much needed, Affordable homes including those for Social Rent

To consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel that falls under the remit of the Housing Portfolio.  This will include any decisions taken by the Executive Member during the same time period.

The Panel considered the Executive items of business which fall under the remit of the Housing Portfolio, including individual Executive Member decisions, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel.

Members asked for further clarification on the decision to replace the current software, seeking confirmation that it is good value for money. Fleur Allaway, Policy Officer, advised Members that it will take some time for the new software to be fully implemented across the Housing Service. Once complete it will save a significant amount of Officer time and allow the Service to become more efficient. She advised that an update could be provided to the Panel at a future meeting if requested by Members.

At the invitation of the Chairman the Executive Member for Housing, Councillor F W Birkett addressed the Panel to provide details on his decision to approve the purchase of the new software. Councillor Birkett explained he was confident that the decision to procure new software was a good investment for the Council and he agreed that a review of the new software once fully implemented would be a good way for the Panel to be assured that the correct decision was made.

In order to answer a question put to Officers by Members of the Panel during discussion on this item, a request was made for the meeting to go into private session as defined in Paragraph 3 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 the Public and Press were excluded, as the Panel considered that it is not in the public interest to consider the matters in public on the grounds that they will involve the disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of the schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Following the answer being given to the satisfaction of the Chairman the meeting was brought back into public session.

Members of the Panel requested that an update on the implementation of the new Housing Software be brought to a future meeting of the Panel for Members to review the benefits of the new Housing Software in operation.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Housing Panel.

The Chairman invited Members of the Panel to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Housing Scrutiny Panel.

Members enquired as to when an update on the intentions to provide Affordable Housing through the new Local Plan might be available to bring to the Housing Scrutiny Panel. Officers agreed to investigate this item being brought to the Panel at an appropriate time within the delivery of the Local Plan.

The Head of Housing and Benefits addressed the Panel to advise that a Member of the Panel had contacted her, requesting an update on the new funding that had been received to help tackle the issue of rough sleepers. It was agreed by Members that an item will be brought to the next meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel, currently scheduled for the 09 July 2020.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel: -

(a)   considered the Scrutiny Priorities for the Housing Scrutiny Panel;

(b)   asked officers to investigate bringing an item at the appropriate time, updating the Panel on the affordable housing offer within the draft Local Plan; and

(c)    that a report be brought to the 09 July 2020 meeting to update Members on the allocation of funds received to tackle the issue of rough sleepers.