Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 08 February 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 08 February 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.

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 report by the Director of Housing which updates members on the Tenant Satisfaction Measures customer questionnaire outcomes.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Housing (Pathways & Neighbourhoods) which provided members with information on the outcomes of the first full Tenant Satisfaction Survey that was undertaken in December 2023.

In discussing the historical post of Tenant Engagement Officer, the Panel was pleased to hear that a recent appointment has been made to the team which will look at new ways to work with tenants, to increase engagement with them and to reach out to a wider inclusion of people, all to assist with the ability of the Council to meet the expectations of the new Consumer Standards.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes:

(a)  the content of the report; and

(b)  the intention to produce benchmark information later in 2024 and to report on improvements made based on feedback received.

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

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

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

To receive a report by the Director of Housing which updates members on the public consultation in respect of the Draft Allocations policy.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Housing which provided members with an update following full consultation on the draft Allocations Policy and incorporated how this is aligned and impacted by the current Government consultation on reforms to social housing allocations.

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

To receive a presentation by the Head of Housing (Pathways and Neighbourhoods) which outlines the potential impacts to Fareham Housing in respect of the Hampshire County Council consultation on future services.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Housing (Pathways & Neighbourhoods) which provided details of the Hampshire County Council consultation on the provision of future services and the potential impacts to Fareham Housing. A copy of the presentation slides is attached to these minutes as Appendix B.

The Panel expressed deep concern at the Hampshire County Council proposal to withdraw funding for all services that support people who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness with effect from April 2024 and the impact that this would have in Fareham.

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

To receive a presentation by the Director of Housing and the Affordable Housing Delivery Manager which provides an update on Welborne.

The Panel received a presentation by the Affordable Housing Delivery Manager and the Director of Housing which provided members with an update on Welborne.  A copy of the presentation slides is attached to these minutes as Appendix C.

In discussing affordable housing for older persons, members received assurances that parking arrangements have been taken into account in the overall development plan for Welborne.

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

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

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor D J Hamilton addressed the Panel during this item to request that, in due course when the upcoming local and national elections have taken place, consideration be given to the proposal that he presented at the Council meeting held on 23 February 2024 to recruit an additional Housing Development Officer and a Property Development Officer. Councillor Hamilton stated that it was this element of the proposal that he was requesting be taken forward as a priority.

The Panel felt that further information would be needed to assess the objective of the proposal, to consider the options available and to understand how the proposal could be funded.  It was therefore agreed that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Panel for further consideration.

There were no other items put forward at this meeting for inclusion in the scrutiny priorities for the Panel.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel:

(a)  reviewed the scrutiny priorities for the Panel; and

(b)   agrees that a report in respect of the proposal put forward by Councillor Hamilton be brought to a future meeting of the Panel for consideration at the appropriate time.