Issue - meetings

This item was Chaired by Diana Minns (Vice-Chair)

 

Matter for Decision

A comprehensive review of the previous Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Management Strategy (AMS) had been completed and the strategy would replace the previous version dated 2012.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Approved the Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy 2019/20 to 2024/25

 

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 Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets and the Asset Manager, Business Transformation.

 

Councillor Cantrill sought clarification regarding a report that had gone to the Civic Affairs Committee and had shown some breaches of Gas Certification. Whilst accepting that the situation had been rectified very quickly, it raised doubts regarding confidence in the process. How had an unlawful situation been allowed to occur?

 

The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets confirmed that at the point of sign up, the properties had had a valid certificate. Problems had arisen at the annual review point as the properties had not been added to the correct systems. The Head of Housing Mantenance and Assets undertook to circulate the Civic Affairs Committee report to Members of this Committee.

 

The Strategic Director (SH), the Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets, the Asset Manager, Business Transformation and the Assistant Head of Finance and Business Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        The Council was not always in a position to repurchase a shared ownership property. 

    ii.        Retrofitting Solar-power units to existing, tenanted blocks would be a large investment and was not current policy. However, it could be considered in the future as part of a programme of works to bring poor energy rated properties up to standard.

   iii.        Confirmed that costs against Keepmoat for delays in delivering new properties and snagging issues were being pursued.

  iv.        Confirmed that a range of methods were used to gather customer feedback of repairs.

   v.        The Asset Manager, Business Transformation undertook to investigate and confirm that similar feedback was gathered from leaseholders when rechargeable repairs were undertaken.

  vi.        Confirmed that approximately of 82 of the initial 500 new council properties would be fitted with individual gas boilers. The remainder would use alternative heat sources.

 vii.        Confirmed that the Audit Report received by the Civic Affairs Committee had not highlighted any critical faults. A service review would build in additional safeguards regarding fire safety for the future.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed and Councillor Cantrill seconded the following amendment (Text in italic to be inserted at the end of Section One of the report):

 

The committee notes the internal audit report on gas and electricity safety compliance that was presented to the July Civic Affairs committee.  The committee expresses its concern at the findings of the report, in these key areas of building safety.

 

To prioritise safely works across the housing estate, completing these works as a matter of urgency, in particular:

Confirmation of electrical testing certificates across all properties

Confirmation of gas safety certificates across all properties

Fire door inspections and replacements

Installation of heat detectors

Installation of emergency lighting in those blocks currently without this

 

The committee asks officers to provide a written update on a monthly basis to the Chair and Spokes.

 

Council Cantrill stated that the amendment would change priorities rather than requiring additional funding.

 

Councillor Todd-Jones proposed and Councillor Smart seconded an amendment to Councillor Porrer’s amendment as follows (struck through wording removed and text in bold added):

 

The committee notes the internal audit report on gas and electricity safety compliance that was presented to the July Civic Affairs committee.  The committee expresses its concern at the findings of the report, in these key areas of building safety further notes that Officers are already proactively dealing with these issues and previously reported to it when the Council discovered that some electrical safety information was missing, requested additional funds to ensure it could rectify the situation.

 

To prioritise safely works across the housing estate, completing these works as a matter of urgency, in particular:

Confirmation of electrical testing certificates across all properties

Confirmation of gas safety certificates across all properties

Fire door inspections and replacements

Installation of heat detectors

Installation of emergency lighting in those blocks currently without this

 

The committee asks officers to provide a written update on a monthly basis to the Chair and Spokes.

 

Work on fire safety has been given increased priority, hence the programme to install more heat detectors, and this work is reflected in the Corporate Fire Safety Strategy report to Strategy and Resource Committee in October.

 

As part of the Estate and Facilities Service Review, Officers are also looking at strengthening other areas of Tenant and Leaseholders’ safety. To that end recommendations will be brought forward from the Review to ensure the service overall is more effective in achieving compliance with safety regulations and best practice.

 

In addition, the new housing IT system is expected to go live in the 2020/2021 financial year, which will assist with improving service delivery and facilitate easier reporting on key areas.

 

Updates on progress can be provided to Opposition Spokes and the Chair(s) of the committee.

 

Officers stated that they were happy to work with Members and to regularly supply any information required.

 

Councillor Porrer was not opposed to the suggested changes to her amendment but suggested that dates should be added and updates circulated to all Members of the Committee for added clarity as follows (struck through wording removed and text in bold added): 

 

The committee notes the internal audit report on gas and electricity safety compliance that was presented to the July Civic Affairs committee.  The committee further notes that Officers are already proactively dealing with these issues and previously reported to it when the Council discovered that some electrical safety information was missing, requested additional funds to ensure it could rectify the situation.

 

Work on fire safety has been given increased priority, hence the programme to install more heat detectors, and this work is reflected in the Corporate Fire Safety Strategy report to Strategy and Resource Committee in October.

 

As part of the Estate and Facilities Service Review, Officers are also looking at strengthening other areas of Tenant and Leaseholders’ safety. To that end recommendations will be brought forward from the Review to ensure the service overall is more effective in achieving compliance with safety regulations and best practice. Officers will update the Committee in January.

 

In addition, the new housing IT system is expected to go live in the 2020/2021 financial year, which will assist with improving service delivery and facilitate easier reporting on key areas.

 

Updates on progress can will be provided to Opposition Spokes and the Chair(s) all Members of the committee.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the amended amendment to the report. Final wording as follows:

 

The committee notes the internal audit report on gas and electricity safety compliance that was presented to the July Civic Affairs committee.  The committee further notes that Officers are already proactively dealing with these issues and previously reported to it when the Council discovered that some electrical safety information was missing, requested additional funds to ensure it could rectify the situation.

 

Work on fire safety has been given increased priority, hence the programme to install more heat detectors, and this work is reflected in the Corporate Fire Safety Strategy report to Strategy and Resource Committee in October.

 

As part of the Estate and Facilities Service Review, Officers are also looking at strengthening other areas of Tenant and Leaseholders safety. To that end recommendations will be brought forward from the Review to ensure the service overall is more effective in achieving compliance with safety regulations and best practice. Officers will update the Committee in January.

 

In addition, the new housing IT system is expected to go live in the 2020/2021 financial year, which will assist with improving service delivery and facilitate easier reporting on key areas.

 

Updates on progress will be provided to all Members of the committee.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

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

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.