Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence given at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 03 February 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel held on 03 February 2022 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 questions or comments for clarification.

There were no questions or comments for clarification.

The Panel will receive a presentation which will provide an overview for new members on the role and functions of the Housing Scrutiny Panel.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Housing & Benefits, the Head of Housing Delivery and the Executive Member for Housing which gave an overview for new members on the role and functions of the Housing Scrutiny Panel.  A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

In delivering the presentation of the Housing Team’s achievements to date and the challenges going forward for the Housing portfolio, the Executive Member, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley, put forward her thanks and congratulations to Officers for the excellent work done in reducing the number of rough sleepers in the Borough and securing large funding grants to help deliver new build developments.

Following a suggestion that information regarding the capital expenditure of the Housing Revenue Account budget should be made available to the Housing Panel for scrutiny, it was explained that as the Housing Revenue Account relates to financial matters, scrutiny is undertaken by the Policy and Resources Panel, with all information and documentation made publicly available.  It was suggested that financial information could be included in the Affordable Housing standard agenda item at a future meeting if Members would find this useful.

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

To receive a presentation by the Head of Housing Delivery which updates members on progress with Fareham Housing Sites and other relevant strategic housing matters.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley, Executive Member for Housing, addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Housing Delivery which updated members on the progress being made with Fareham Housing Sites and other relevant strategic housing matters. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix B.

During the discussion of this item, members suggested that it would be useful to visit some of the properties that have benefitted from the LAD2 Funding which aims to improve the energy efficiency in Council owned properties.

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

To consider a report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which will provide the Panel with an update in respect of recent Homelessness Funding Bids.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley, Executive Member for Housing, addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Housing and Benefits which provided members with an update in respect of recent Homelessness funding bids.

Members congratulated the Housing team for the excellent work they do in preparing and securing successful funding bids.

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

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

RESOLVED that having considered and discussed the scrutiny priorities for the Housing Portfolio, the Panel agrees that there are no additions or amendments required at the present time.