Issue - meetings

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

Matter for Decision

The report provided an update on the Estates & Facilities Service Review and information on compliance related work within the service, including a summary on gas servicing, electrical testing, recent audit actions and fire safety.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

i.               Noted the progress of the service review and compliance related work detailed within 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 Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets

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

      i.         Noted the importance of the programme in relation to fire door installation and noted that Housing Associations were also doing electrical testing, so everyone was in the same position regarding tenant works following the covid-19 lockdown.

    ii.         Noted that some leaseholders had replaced their front doors themselves which may have been compliant with fire regulations at the time they were installed and queried whether these would be ok or if they would need to be replaced.

   iii.         Asked whether priority was being given to those tenants who had previously been required to shield to undertake their outstanding gas servicing.

  iv.         Asked if leaseholders refused to upgrade their fire doors would that adversely affect/negate their contents insurance.

    v.         Asked whether the fire safety works would be completed on time given the delays incurred as a result of lockdown and asked whether a wider pool of contractors were required in order to get the works completed on time.

The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         Leaseholders had been contacted regarding fire door replacements and they had the ability to be able to order a replacement as part of the programme if they wanted. 12% of leaseholders had asked for a quote and 20% of leaseholders had said that they did not require a quotation. Once the details of the new Fire Safety Bill have been approved we will be in a better position to understand the changes to requirements and enforcement powers.

    ii.         There were 87 people who required a gas service.  The Council did not hold information about whether these tenants have a requirement to shield or self-isolate and officers were contacting all residents to try and work through the outstanding services and arrange an appointment.  Officers were working to Government guidance and would make every effort to be able to access properties and would keep records / risk assessments if they were unable to gain access to a property.

   iii.         Officers agreed to investigate what the position would be if leaseholders refused to upgrade their fire doors and the impact on their insurance.

  iv.         Confirmed that works were programmed until March 2021 and the current contractors had indicated they have capacity to undertake the fire safety work and any delays would be because of either a further lockdown or the ability to be able to access properties.

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.