Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs K Mandry and G Fazackarley.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 08 July 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 08 July 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that, as part of the Council’s objectives to make Council homes greener, he was pleased to advise that officers will be looking to access Local Authority Delivery Phase 2 government funding, known as LAD2.  This funding will pay two thirds of the overall costs towards making some energy efficiency improvements to a number of Council homes, contributing to the Council’s objectives around greener homes and also helping to improve the comfort and costs for tenants. Officers intend to take a full report in respect of this funding to the Council’s October meeting of the Executive.

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

There were no items of Executive business for consideration at this meeting.

A report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which presents the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for Members’ consideration and comment.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which presented the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for Members’ consideration and comment.

Following discussion and review of the draft policy, members commented that it had been a very good idea to commission the independent review of homelessness services provided by the Council and commended the Housing officers for the excellent service provided to residents.

The Panel was fully supportive of the draft Strategy and had no suggested amendments to make.

Members requested that, as this will be a long term, rolling strategy, an annual review of progress be added to the scrutiny priorities for the Panel.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel agrees that:

(a)  the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy be recommended to the Executive for approval to commence a period of public consultation; and

(b)  once approved, an annual review of the Strategy be added to the scrutiny priorities for the Panel.

To receive a presentation from the Head of Housing Delivery in respect of the Introduction of First Homes.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Housing Delivery in respect of Affordable home ownership and the introduction of the First Homes scheme. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

The presentation highlighted that the First Homes Scheme has a set of national eligibility criteria which can be supplemented by locally agreed criteria set by the Council.   Due to the short timescales for implementation of the First Homes Scheme, members were invited to submit any suggested local criteria to officers, via the Chairman, so that they can be considered for inclusion in a potential First Homes Policy for approval by the Executive.

As this is a new and emerging scheme, members requested that an update be provided at the next meeting.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel:

(a)  notes the content of the presentation; and

(b)  agrees that an update on the Scheme be provided at the next meeting.

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

Members considered and discussed the Scrutiny Priorities for the Panel and agreed the following additions to the Scrutiny Priorities Plan:

(i)            An annual review of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

(ii)          An update on the First Homes Scheme at the next meeting of the Panel

(iii)         A future update on progress with the objective of making Council owned homes greener.

Members asked that it be noted on record that the recently completed development at Rose Court is brilliant and that the Panel is delighted with its success.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel agrees that items (i) to (iii) as outlined above be added to the Scrutiny Priorities Plan for the Panel.