Decision details

To agree the action plan for Leasehold Services.

Matter for Decision

The report referred to the Leasehold Services offered by Cambridge City Council and provided an update on those services.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

The Executive Councillor for Housing resolved to:

 

 

     i.        Instruct Officers to review the level of staff resources in the Leasehold team.

    ii.        Instruct Officers to set up a working group to progress the action plan as outlined in appendix 2 of the Officer’s report.

   iii.        Instruct Officers to report back on progress of the working group in 2015.

  iv.        Instruct Officers to review the Building Insurance covered in 7.1 of appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Area Housing Manager.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

 

     i.        Welcomed the report.

    ii.        Thanked Diane Best for her hard work as a Leaseholder Representative.

   iii.        Agreed the report clearly explained the role and issues of Leasehold Services.

  iv.        Stated that the report did not highlight the good work of City Homes enough, particular in the area of Resident Involvement review meetings.

   v.         Acknowledged the hard work of the Resident Involvement Officer supporting the Leaseholders and working to resolve any maintenance issues that had been brought to their attention.

  vi.        A meeting of the Leaseholder Forum would be taking place week commencing 7 July where a presentation would be given by the Building Insurance Company. This tied in with the Officer’s recommendation to review the Building Insurance.

 vii.        Stated a better relationship was required between the Repairs Team and the Housing Team to ensure that repairs were undertaken more efficiently and effectively.

viii.        Asked what was the process to sub-let a property and if that procedure was always followed.

  ix.        Observed that there were properties which had been sub-let through an agency.

   x.        Noted that properties which were sub-let to students created a transient population.

  xi.        Requested if an information sheet could be provided to show the terms and conditions for sub-letting and who the property could be sub-let to.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor for Housing and Officers confirmed the following:

 

     i.        An Estate and Facilities Manager had been appointed to work alongside the Housing team to address maintenance issues. This had improved the dialogue between the Planned Maintenance Team and Housing Team to work more efficiently.

    ii.        It would depend on the lease as to the process that must be followed to sub-let. The Leaseholder would pay a one off fee for notification.

   iii.        As the subject of sub-letting was a complex issue rather it would be beneficial if questions on this issue were put direct to the housing team.

  iv.        If it is believed that there is an issue with a Leaseholder sub-letting a property, this should be reported to the Housing Team who would investigate the matter. 

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved unanimously to approve the recommendations.  

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.