Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors F Birkett and Mrs K Mandry.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 30 November 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel held on 30 November 2023 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 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.

There were no comments or questions for clarification in respect of this item.

There were no comments or questions for clarification in respect of this item.

To receive a presentation by the Director of Housing which will outline the job roles and responsibilities within the Housing Team.

The Panel received a presentation by the Director of Housing which provided Members with an update on the new staffing structure of the Housing Team and outlined job roles and responsibilities within it. A copy of the presentation slides is attached at Appendix A to these minutes.

Members congratulated the Director of Housing on the new structure and thanked her for an excellent presentation.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

A report by the Director of Housing which provides an update on progress being made in making Council-owned homes more environmentally friendly.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Housing which provided Members with an update on the greener measures undertaken on Council owned housing.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report.

To receive an update by the Affordable Housing Delivery Manager on progress with the Fareham Housing sites and other relevant strategic housing matters.

The Panel received a presentation by the Affordable Housing Delivery Manager which informed Members of the progress with the Fareham Housing sites and other relevant strategic housing matters. A copy of the presentation slides is attached at Appendix A to these minutes.

In discussing the regeneration of some of the properties in the Council’s housing stock, Members commented on the need to achieve best value for money when considering capital expenditure on some of the older and more challenging properties in the portfolio.

Members were interested to hear that, wherever possible, the opportunity is taken to redevelop exiting buildings that are identified as having spare rooms or communal areas that are no longer in use to create additional accommodation. Members put forward some suggested sites across the Borough that, if in the Council’s ownership, could be considered for redevelopment.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

To receive a report by the Director of Housing which provides an update on the new social housing consumer standards and outlines how the new inspection regime will relate to Fareham.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Housing which provided Members with details of the new Consumer standards from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Members acknowledged the huge amount of work that will be required in the implementation and delivery of the new standards.  It was hoped by Members that a similar standard will be brought forward for private landlords.

In discussing Housing disrepair claims, the Panel was advised that numbers are still very low and that no new claims have been received. Members were advised that one claim has been brought under the Environmental Protection Act and that a settlement is progressing. 

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes:

(a)  the content of the report and the current anticipated performance against the draft emerging Consumer Standards;

(b)  the intention to produce an action plan relating to compliance with the Standards, to be reported at a later meeting of the Panel;

(c)  the section of the report relating to governance; and

(d)  that a further report will be produced for the Council’s Executive in 2024.  This will relate to the Standards and any proposed changes of the governance structure.

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.

An update was requested and agreed in respect of Affordable Housing at Welborne due to the potential impact that the unexpected funding gap in delivering the required improvements to Junction 10 of the M27 motorway may have on the provision of affordable housing.

RESOLVED that the scrutiny priorities for the Housing Scrutiny Panel were discussed.