Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs P M Bryant,  Mrs L E Clubley and D J Hamilton.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel held on 11 April 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel held on 11 April 2024 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.

Members will receive a presentation by the Director of Housing which will outline the role of the Panel and provide an overview of the Housing portfolio services.

The Panel received a presentation by the Director of Housing which outlined the role and function of the Panel and provided an overview of the Housing portfolio services. A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

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

The Panel will receive a report by the Director of Housing which presents the Draft Tenant Engagement Strategy for consideration.

The Panel received a report by the Director of Housing which provided Members with an overview of the Draft Tenant Engagement Strategy.  The draft Strategy sets out the approach the Council will take to improve how it listens to, and works with, tenants in response to the new regulatory requirements set out by the Regulator of Social Housing.

The Panel discussed whether the Strategy would apply to residents who are on the Housing Register but are currently living in private accommodation.  Officers advised that this could be considered but it would be important to manage expectations carefully.

The Panel was supportive of the Strategy and felt that it made a very good start for the Council to expand its engagement with tenants.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report and puts forward the comments, as detailed above, to the Executive for consideration.

The Panel will receive a report by the Director off Housing which will inform Members of the new Mutual Exchange Policy and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Council Housing tenants.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Housing which informed members of the new Mutual Exchange Policy and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Council Housing Tenants.

The Panel was supportive of the policy and had no comments or suggested changes to put forward for consideration by the Executive.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report and has no comments to put forward to the Executive for consideration.

The Panel will receive a report by the Director of Housing which will inform members of the proposal to develop a new Housing Transfer Incentive Scheme.

The Panel received a report by the Director of Housing which outlined proposals to develop a new, replacement Housing Transfer Incentive Scheme to help encourage Fareham Housing tenants to down-size and release larger, family-sized homes, and adapted homes, that they no longer need.

The Panel was supportive of the proposals and had no comments or suggestions to put forward for consideration.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report and agrees that further work be undertaken to inform the development of a new policy.

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

The Director of Housing  presented the proposed scrutiny priorities for the Housing Panel for consideration and invited members to make any suggested additions.

At Councillor Bird’s request, it was agreed that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Panel which provides a review of the financial impact of empty Council owned rental properties (Voids), the management and performance of the void process by Fareham Housing and the progress being made by the Housing Team in reducing void periods.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered and reviewed the Scrutiny priorities.