Issue - decisions

Recommendation 2.1 was chaired by Diana Minns (Vice Chair / Tenant Representative) and recommendation 2.2 chaired by Councillor Todd-Jones.

Matter for Decision

National changes in housing and welfare reform were having a major impact on the Council’s housing services in Cambridge, requiring a reshape of services in order to achieve the substantial savings that are required to balance the Housing Revenue Account. The report set out a strategy for achieving savings, mindful of the need to continue to deliver decent services, and which recognised that housing supports some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged within our community.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Agreed the programme of reviews for Revenue funded services listed in paragraphs 5 of the Officer’s report.

    ii.        Agreed the programme of reviews for Capital funded services listed in paragraph 6 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 Strategic Advisor - Housing and Welfare Reform.

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

     i.        Expressed concerns that Cambridge City Council had been cheated by central government into accepting debts.

    ii.        Suggested that a policy of non-compliance was adopted.

   iii.        Suggested that other authorities would follow if this was to happen.

  iv.        Next week’s devolution decision could have a big impact on any decision made today.

   v.        Questioned the definition of affordable housing.

  vi.        Suggested that Officer’s work with other authorities to lobby government.

The Executive Councillor for Housing stated that he did not think non-compliance was the answer as the likely outcome would be a decision imposed by someone else. For the best outcome it was better to work within the system.

In response to Members questions, the Strategic Advisor - Housing and Welfare Reform stated:

       i.        Residents would be consulted on proposed savings at an early stage of the decision making process. Without any savings it was likely that the HRA account would be bankrupt within ten years.

      ii.        All services would be looked at for potential savings and this would include support services.

     iii.        It was likely that there would be an impact on arrears. However, specialist staff had been recruited to provide debt and benefits advice.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.