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Regular update on the delivery of new council homes under the 500 programme, together with an update on the work being undertaken to deliver an additional 1,000 Council homes, building on the success of the current programme.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/07/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
This item was chaired
by Councillor Thittala Varkey (Chair).
Matter for
Decision
The report provided an update on the housing
development programme.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the continued progress on the delivery of the approved
housing programme.
ii.
Noted the inclusion into the new build delivery programme of
housing to serve the needs of Afghan and Ukrainian Refugees, part funded
through DLUHC, as per the out of cycle decision approved by the executive
council in February 2023.
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 Development Agency.
The Head of Housing Development Agency said the following in response to
Members’ questions:
i. In response to
a query regarding the Mill Road development noted that there was a 12-month
defect rectification period and the properties would also benefit from a 12
year NHBC guarantee.
ii.In response to
a query about the St Thomas Road scheme advised that the responses from the
consultation were being reviewed and discussions were taking place with
Planning Officers about Open Space requirements and how this land could be
adapted and still delivered as a net zero carbon scheme.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse 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.
The Committee asked to record their thanks and best wishes
to Claire Flowers, Head of Housing Development Agency and James McWilliams,
Housing Services Manager (Housing Advice) who were leaving the authority and
taking on new positions elsewhere.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
Regular update on the delivery of new council homes under the 500 programme, together with an update on the work being undertaken to deliver an additional 1,000 Council homes, building on the success of the current programme. This report will also update the Committee on ongoing consultation work and resident engagement.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 03/04/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report provided an update on the housing development programme.
Decision of
Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the continued progress on the delivery of the approved
housing programme.
ii.
Noted the inclusion into the new build delivery programme of
housing to serve the needs of Afghan and Ukrainian Refugees, part funded through
DLUHC, as per the out of cycle decision approved by the executive council in
February 2023.
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
Development Agency.
The Head of Housing Development Agency said the following in response to
Members’ questions:
i.
In response to a query regarding the Mill Road
development noted that there was a 12-month defect rectification period and the properties would also benefit from a 12 year
NHBC guarantee.
ii.
In response to a query about the St Thomas Road
scheme advised that the responses from the consultation were being reviewed and
discussions were taking place with Planning Officers about Open Space
requirements and how this land could be adapted and still delivered as a net
zero carbon scheme.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
The Committee is asked to note work undertaken to date and to approve Officer recommendations.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 03/04/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report presented the outcome of the options
appraisal that had been carried out in accordance with the decision taken at
Housing Scrutiny Committee in January 2022 on the future of Hanover Court and
Princess Court.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved the redevelopment of Hanover Court and
Princess Court (Option 4 in the Options Analysis).
ii.
Approved that delegated authority be given to the
Executive Councillor for Housing in conjunction with the Strategic Director to
enable the site to be developed through Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP),
subject to a value for money assessment to be carried out on behalf of the
Council. Development would be through the transfer of the site to CIP and the
purchase of completed affordable homes from CIP.
iii.
Delegated Authority to the Strategic Director
acting on behalf of the Council as the landowner to enter
into and complete any planning obligation under section 106 of the Town
and Country Planning Act 1990 which is required by the Council in its capacity
as the local planning authority, pursuant to the planning application for the
development of the site.
iv.
Authorised the Strategic
Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, Chair and
Spokes to approve variations to the affordable housing units to be purchased
including the number of units and mix of property types, sizes
and tenure.
v.
Delegated authority to the Strategic Director to
commence Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) proceedings on leasehold properties to
be demolished to enable the development, should these be required.
vi.
Delegated authority to the Strategic Director to
serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing Act 1985.
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
Development Agency.
The Senior Development Manager and the Head of Housing Development
Agency said the following in response to Members’ questions:
i.
There were 82 tenants at the start of the process
and 55 tenants had moved or were in the process of moving. It was anticipated
that the remaining tenants may need further help and support to move. There
were 45 leaseholders and 22 were in the process of moving. Half of the
leaseholders who remained were resident leaseholders.
ii.
Subject to discussions with the Planning
Department, expected there to be between 40-60% provision of affordable housing
on site.
iii.
The timeframe within the Regeneration Policy for
commencing compulsory purchase proceedings was 3 months from the date of the
decision however each case would be considered on its own merits.
Councillor Porrer requested an amendment to
recommendation 2.4 to include the Chair and Spokes as part of the consultation
(additional text underlined).
Authorise the Strategic Director in
consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, Chair and Spokes to approve
variations to the affordable housing units to be purchased including the number of units and
mix of property types, sizes and tenure.
The amendment was agreed unanimously.
The Committee resolved by 7 votes to 0
to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Jim Pollard
This report provides officer recommendations for the consideration of the committee and seeks approval by the Executive Councillor for the proposed development and associated budget.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 03/04/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report sought approval for the delivery of a further 4 pod homes at
an identified site on Hills Avenue, Queen Edith Ward, to be delivered by the
Council in partnership with It Takes A City (“ITAC”).
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved the use of
the land at the corner of Hills Avenue and Baldock Way as a site for delivery
of modular (pod) housing to serve former rough sleepers.
ii.
Approved that a budget of £25,000 be allocated out
of the approved new build housing budget to support the delivery of the Hills
Avenue Pod housing scheme.
iii.
Delegated authority to the Head of Property
Services in consultation with the Assistant Head of Finance to approve the
terms of lease to a third-party charitable organisation.
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 Development Agency.
The Housing Services Manager (Housing Advice), Head of Housing and
Programme Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:
i.
Modular housing was meant to provide a landing
stage for people who found themselves homeless. It was anticipated that this
type of housing may be used for up to a 2-year period; it was not intended to
provide a permanent home. Some people could stay longer as each case was
determined on a person’s individual circumstances.
ii.
The selection process for modular housing was
undertaken by a Panel comprising Council officers and representatives from
Jimmy’s and It Takes a City.
iii.
Each person allocated a modular home would have their
own dedicated support worker.
iv.
Noted that the use of the site as a community
garden was on a short-term basis and the site had been ear marked for
development. Would try and off-set biodiversity net gain on adjacent sites and
retain trees on the site as far as this was possible.
v.
There were no plans for a sexually segregated
modular home site.
vi.
Acknowledged that modular housing was movable if
this became necessary or desirable in the future.
vii.
Noted that an update on this project could be
included within a future Housing First report.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
Approval is sought in respect of the provisional carry forward of revenue budgets from 2022/23 into 2023/24.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 03/04/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report presented details of anticipated variances from budgets,
where resources were requested to be carried forward into the 2023/24 financial
year in order to undertake or complete activities
anticipated to have taken place in 2022/23.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Agreed the provisional carry forward requests, totalling
£440,840 as detailed in Appendix A, subject to the final outturn position.
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 Assistant Head of
Finance and Business Manager.
The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets said the following in
response to a Member’s question:
i.
The delay with the Water Conservation Project was
due to a member of staff leaving and a procurement exercise being carried out.
The request to carry forward funding was to allow the project to conclude. The
Net Zero Retrofit Project Officer was now undertaking the work with
consultants. An interim report was expected at Easter with a final report two
weeks later. It was hoped that water conservation trialling measures would be
started in May.
The Committee resolved by 10 votes to 0
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.
Lead officer: Julia Hovells
None - This report is for information and not for decision.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 03/04/2023
Effective from: 14/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report provides an update on the compliance
related activities delivered within the Estates & Facilities Team,
including a summary on gas servicing, electrical testing, and fire safety work.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the progress of
the service review and compliance related work detailed within the report.
ii.
Noted the status of
the compliance dashboard with reference to Electrical Inspection Condition
Reports.
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 Property Compliance and Risk Manager.
The Property Compliance and Risk Manager and the Head of Housing
Maintenance and Assets said the following in response to Members’ questions:
i.
With reference to the table in paragraph 3.2 of the
report advised that compliance with fire safety regulations required a fire
risk assessment to be carried out. Actions arising from risk assessments would
be subject to a programme of works. Regular meetings with Heads of Service took
place to discuss these.
ii.
Confirmed that a letter was proposed to be sent to
neighbouring properties where damp, mould and condensation
(DMC) had been identified to raise awareness about DMC. The proposed wording
for the letters would be circulated for comment to tenant / leaseholder
representatives as well as councillors on the Housing Scrutiny Committee.
iii.
If a tenant reported a leak in their property, this
would be responded to as an urgent repair. If the leak also caused DMC but this
wasn’t reported by the tenant, this should be picked up by the operative when
they undertook their visit and would be passed to the Condensation Team to
respond to.
iv.
Agreed to check the script provided to the Customer
Services Team to see if there was a prompt / question about DMC when a leak was
reported to try to join up and improve the service provided to tenants.
v.
Work undertaken on DMC was being met within
existing resources. If it was found that this work could not be undertaken
within existing resources, the matter would be discussed with the Executive
Councillor and a budget bid would need to be made.
The Committee resolved by 9 votes to 0
to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Renier Barnard
To agree the response to the Huntingdonshire Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report consultation
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control, and Infrastructure
Decision published: 20/03/2023
Effective from: 20/03/2023
Decision:
Matter for Decision: To
agree the response to the Huntingdonshire Sustainability Appraisal
Scoping Report consultation
Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):
Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is consulting on a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report
between 1st February and 15th March 2023.
The consultation marks an initial consultation by HDC at the
start of preparing a new Local Plan. In relation to this, HDC is also
concurrently consulting on its Statement of Community Involvement. Officers are
not recommending that the Councils make a response to that document.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is systematic process for
assessing the extent to which the emerging plan will help to achieve
sustainable development. It is an opportunity to consider ways by which the
plan can contribute to improvements in economic, environmental
and social conditions, as well as a means of identifying and mitigating any
potential adverse effects that the plan might otherwise have. Completing the SA
process helps meet legal requirements that Local Plans are subject to.
The first stage of producing the plan is a scoping stage,
which the
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report relates to. This is
necessary to propose and agree the way that the plan is to be drawn up
including the methodology for the SA process and to collect
together the necessary information to produce the plan. A thorough
understanding of the context of existing plans and policies and of the current
baseline situation is needed in order to be able to
predict the effects the plan may have, and to identify key issues that will
need to be addressed.
The Scoping Report:
·
Identifies relevant plans programmes and
strategies – to establish how the plan is affected by outside factors, to
suggest ideas for how any constraints can be addressed, and to help identify
environmental protection objectives
·
Collects baseline information - to provide an
evidence base for environmental impacts, prediction of what will happen without
the plan as well as what effects it could have, monitoring and to help in the
development of SA objectives.
·
Draws upon the above two elements to identify
key sustainability issues and problems; and
·
Draws on all of the
above elements to identify SA objectives and supporting decision aiding
questions, which together provide a means by which the sustainability
performance of the plan and alternatives can be assessed.
Prior to this open consultation, Huntingdonshire District
Council has consulted key environmental bodies comprising the Environment
Agency, Natural England and Historic England regarding
the Scoping Report. Their comments are published at appendix 2 to the Scoping
Report.
Officers have drafted a proposed brief response to the
consultation focused on water supply issues.
Response to the consultation
It is proposed that the response is joint with South
Cambridgeshire District Council, which will separately be considering the response.
The proposed response can be found in Appendix A of this
report.
The proposed consultation response focuses solely on the
need for the Scoping Report to more fully recognise the
significance and severity of the water supply challenge as being an
issue relevant to preparation of a new Huntingdonshire Local Plan. This echoes
the response of the Environment Agency to the Scoping Report.
Alternative options
The alternative options available are:
1.
Agree to submit the response in Appendix A, with
possible minor amendments
2.
Agree an alternative response.
Executive Councillor’s decision: To submit the response in Appendix A: Huntingdonshire Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report consultation 2023 – response by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council
Reasons for the decision: The proposed response addresses issues raised by the consultation.
Scrutiny consideration: The Chair and Spokespersons of
Planning & Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action
being authorised.
Report: Appendix A: Huntingdonshire Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report consultation 2023 – response by Cambridge City
Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council
Conflict of interest: None
Comments: None were made by the Chair and Opposition Spokes.
Appendix A:
Huntingdonshire Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report consultation 2023 –
response by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council
The Councils would like to raise one specific issue
regarding the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report regarding water supply.
In broad terms we echo the views expressed in the
Environment Agency’s response to the Scoping Report, regarding the need to more fully recognise the significance and severity of the water
supply challenge as being an issue relevant to preparation of a new
Huntingdonshire Local Plan. As set out in our Greater Cambridge Local Plan Development
Strategy Update from January 2023, provision of a sustainable future water
supply is a very substantial challenge for our emerging Local Plan and we
consider that many of the underlying issues are likely to relevant to
Huntingdonshire. We would strongly suggest this issue should be more fully
recognised in the document, including in the Sustainability Issues, SA Objective,
and decision aiding questions.
We have no further comments to make regarding the document.
Lead officer: Jonathan Dixon
This report outlines work undertaken toward identifying a housing development scheme to be delivered through the Housing Development Agency, and seeks approval by the Executive Councillor for the proposed development and associated budget.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report sought approval to proceed with the
redevelopment of the former East Road garage site to provide circa 40 new
highly sustainable homes. These new homes would be developed in parallel with
the delivery of associated improvements to the adjacent housing estate.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved
that the 100% affordable housing scheme (option A) be brought forward and be
included in the Housing Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of
£10,964,000. Budget will be drawn down from the sum already ear-marked and
approved for investment in new homes.
ii.
Authorised
the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for
Housing to approve variations to the scheme including the affordable rent
levels, number of units and mix of property types, sizes and tenure as outlined
in this report.
iii.
Authorised
the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for
Housing to adopt option B; to deliver 40% affordable housing (16 homes), with
rents set at 60% of Market rent or Current Local Housing Allowance, whichever
is lowest, should this be necessary to ensure continued financial viability.
iv.
Approved
delegation to the Head of Finance, as Section 151 Officer, to agree the terms
in relation to the sale of land, should option B be adopted and market sale
units be delivered upon which a capital receipt to the council would be due.
v.
Approved that delegated authority be given to the
Executive Councillor for Housing in conjunction with the Strategic Director to
enable the site to be developed through Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP)
subject to a value for money assessment to be carried out on behalf of the
Council.
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 the Housing Development Agency.
The Head of the Housing Development Agency and Director of Enterprise
and Sustainable Development said the following in response to the Committee’s
questions:
i.
Concerns raised by resident’s regarding the height,
density and massing of the site would be looked at as part of the planning
application process. Officers would engage with residents as part of this
process.
ii.
Noted concerns raised about the style of questions
asked during the public consultation. The questions asked were high level
questions as it was not a consultation on a detailed scheme at that time.
iii.
It was an ambition for the proposed development to
provide 20% biodiversity net gain within the site, further information could be
provided outside of the meeting.
Councillor Robertson requested for it to be minuted
that although he supported the recommendation, he may need to support local residents if plans remained unchanged and there was
strong feeling from local residents against it.
Councillors Porrer, Gawthrope Wood and Howard advised that they were
also members of the Planning Committee and wanted to note that by supporting
the recommendations they were not fettering their discretion should a scheme be
brought to a future Planning Committee.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Natalie Bailey
To approve the award of homelessness prevention grants (HPGs) to agencies, and to approve the repurposing of an element of the budget so that a winter provision service for rough sleepers can be commissioned over three years.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report detailed the annual bid round for grants
made to organisations providing homelessness
prevention services.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved
the award of homelessness prevention grants to voluntary and community
organisations for 2023-24, as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.
ii.
Approve
that funding from this grant programme is set aside so that a procurement
exercise can be opened for a three-year contract for winter accommodation for
rough sleepers, beginning from the winter of 2023-24.
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 Housing Services
Manager.
The Housing Services Manager said the following in response to the
Committee’s questions:
i.
There were two reasons why the grant award to
Cambridge Women’s Aid was lower compared to other organisations. The first was
that the grant funding ideally needed to focus on preventing homelessness and
the second was due to the introduction of the County wide domestic abuse
service. It was felt there could be an element of double grant funding. This
was a difficult decision to make.
ii.
The Council were fortunate as they had been able to
use reasonably priced education accommodation for homeless people during the
winter period. A longer-term accommodation solution was required, and the
council was looking at carrying out a procurement process to have a 3-year contract
with an organisation to provide such accommodation.
iii.
The length of time grant funding would cover would
be looked at as it was noted that there were benefits to providing grant
funding annually, but it also provided more certainty to organisations if funding
was guaranteed for a longer period of time (for
example over a 3-year period).
iv.
A small amount of grant funding was not allocated
at this stage so that it could be used for unforeseen events during the year.
For example, during the extremely hot weather in July 2022 some severe weather
emergency provision was required and was funded from the funding which was not
allocated.
The Committee resolved by 7 votes in favour to 0 against and 1
abstention to endorse 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.
Lead officer: James McWilliams
Regular update on the delivery of new council homes under the 500 programme, together with an update on the work being undertaken to deliver an additional 1,000 Council homes, building on the success of the current programme.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
This report provides an update on the housing
development programme.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the continued progress on the delivery of the approved
housing programme.
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 the Housing
Development Agency.
The Head of the Housing Development Agency said the following in
response to Members’ questions:
i.
Reports for housing redevelopment schemes usually
contained an external grant funding option and an option funded without grant
funding for viability. Currently grant is from Homes England or Right to Buy
receipts. Neither of these funding sources would fund replacement dwellings
(i.e.: development had to be for new housing).
ii.
ERDF stood for European Regional Development Fund.
iii.
ERDF funding had been sought for the development of
housing at St Thomas and Paget Road unfortunately due to criteria the scheme
was ineligible for the funding. The cost for delivering the development as a
net zero carbon development was however still built into the budget.
The Committee unanimously resolved 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.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
- To approve the Council’s Void Management Policy and re-written '5 point promise'(changed to the 'Re-let Standard').
- To acknowledge that this policy, the new Re-Let standard and any processes being put in place now, will need to be kept under review whilst the Government's White Paper for social housing is still in development.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report detailed a review of current council voids
repair processes which had been undertaken, with a programme
of communication with tenants and prospective tenants scheduled from January
2023.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved the Council’s Void Management Policy and the revised
re-let standard, recognising the factors influencing the Policy that has
resulted in the prioritised works to be undertaken in the stock whilst vacant.
ii.
Agreed the revised Cambridge Re-Let Standard and note how the
Standard will be communicated to current tenants looking to transfer and those
on the Housing Register, via the Council’s website and in the Sign-up pack.
iii.
Recognised that this Policy will need to be reviewed again
within 2 years, as the Government White Paper for Social Housing Regulation was
not yet passed as formal legislation at the time of writing this report and we
believe this will have implications on this Policy, once in place.
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 Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets said the following in
response to Members’ questions:
i.
Factors which contributed to the increased void
management workload included properties earmarked for specific initiatives ie: rough sleeper accommodation which needed to be turned
around quickly and properties required for decanting tenants from blocks
earmarked for redevelopment, unauthorised alterations by tenants which
necessitated remedial works by the council.
ii.
Tenancy audits would assist in picking up concerns
about property conditions. Sub-contractors had been used to assist in-house
officer’s workloads.
iii.
Tenancy agreements contained a clause requiring
tenants to maintain and leave a property in a certain condition. Costs spent by
the Council to undertake any remedial works that are considered rechargeable
repairs would be added onto a Tenant’s Arrears Account.
iv.
Statutory provisions were available to gain access
to properties when tenants refused access, however this was an un-tested area.
In response to concerns raised by the
Committee, the Director of Neighbourhoods and Communities advised that an
update report would be brought back to Committee in a years’ time. It was also
noted within recommendation 2.3 that the Void Management Policy may need to be
updated in any event when legislation arising from the Government’s White Paper
for Social Housing Regulation was passed.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse 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.
Lead officer: Lynn Bradley
a) Approve the proposed charges for HRA housing rents and service charges.
b) Consider the revenue budget proposals.
c) Consider the capital budget proposals.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 31/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
As part of the 2023/24 budget process, the range of
assumptions upon which the HRA Business Plan and Medium Term
Financial Strategy were based, have been reviewed in light of the latest
information available, culminating in the preparation of the HRA Budget Setting
Report.
The HRA Budget-Setting Report provides an overview of
the review of the key assumptions. It sets out the key parameters for the
detailed recommendations and final budget proposals and is the basis for the finalisation of the 2023/24 budgets.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved that council dwellings rents for all social rented
and social shared ownership properties be increased by 5%, recognising that
inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at September 2022, plus 1%
would result in an increase of 11.1%, that the government has introduced a cap
on rent increases at 7% from April 2023, but that a local decision is made to
implement a lower rent increase to mitigate the impact on tenants. Rent
increases will take effect from 3 April 2023. This equates to an average rent
increase of £5.36 per week.
ii.
Approved that affordable rents,
inclusive of service charge, are also increased by 5% in line with the increase
for social rents. This equates to an average rent increase of £7.81 per week.
iii.
Approved that rents for affordable shared ownership
properties are increased by 7% or RPI at January 2023
plus 0.5% whichever is the lower, from April 2023, recognising that although
the government rent cap does not apply to this tenure, an increase of in excess
of 7% may put undue financial pressure on these households.
iv.
Approved that garage and parking space charges for 2023/24,
are increased by inflation at 3%, recognising that although inflation is
currently at a higher rate, there is a need to balance increases with the
ability to let vacant garages, and that charges for parking permits are
reviewed, with any resulting charges summarised in Section 3 of the HRA Budget
Setting Report.
v.
Approved the proposed service charges for Housing Revenue
Account services and facilities, as shown in Appendix B of the HRA Budget
Setting Report.
vi.
Approved the proposed leasehold administration charges for
2023/24, as detailed in Appendix B of the HRA Budget Setting Report.
vii.
Approved that caretaking, building cleaning, window cleaning,
estate services, grounds maintenance, temporary housing premises and utilities,
sheltered scheme premises and utilities, digital television aerial, gas
maintenance, door entry systems, lifts, electrical and mechanical maintenance,
flat cleaning, third party services, specialist equipment and catering charges
continue to be recovered at full cost, as detailed in Appendix B of the HRA
Budget Setting Report, recognising that local authorities should endeavour to
limit increases to inflation as measured by CPI at September 2022 (10.1%) plus
1%, wherever possible.
viii.
Approved with any amendments, the Revised Budget identified
in Section 4 and Appendix D (1) of the HRA Budget Setting Report, which
reflects a net reduction in the use of HRA reserves for 2022/23 of £16,521,190.
ix.
Approved with any amendments, any Non-Cash Limit items
identified in Section 4 of the HRA Budget Setting Report or shown in Appendix D
(2) of the HRA Budget Setting Report.
x.
Approved with any amendments, any Savings, Increased Income,
Unavoidable Revenue Bids, Reduced Income Proposals and Bids, as shown in
Appendix D (2) of the HRA Budget Setting Report.
xi.
Approved the resulting Housing Revenue Account revenue budget
as summarised in the Housing Revenue Account Summary Forecast 2022/23 to
2027/28 shown in Appendix J of the HRA Budget Setting Report.
The Executive Councillor
recommended Council:
i.
Approve the revised need to borrow over the 30-year life of
the business plan, with the first instance of this anticipated to be in
2023/24, to sustain the proposed level of investment, which includes
ear-marking funding for delivery of the 10 Year New Homes Programme.
ii.
Recognise that the constitution delegates Treasury Management
to the Head of Finance (Part 3, para 5.11), with Part 4F, C16 stating; ‘All
executive decisions on borrowing, investment or financing shall be delegated to
the Head of Finance, who is required to act in accordance with CIPFA’s Code of
Practice for Treasury Management in Local Authorities.
iii.
Recognise that the decision to borrow significantly to build
new homes impacts the authority’s ability to set-aside resource to redeem the
HRA Self-Financing debt at the point at which the loan portfolio matures, with
the need to re-finance debt in the latter stages of the business plan.
iv. Approve capital
bids, as detailed in Appendix D (3) and Appendix E of the HRA Budget Setting
Report.
v. Approve the latest
Decent Homes and Other HRA Stock Investment Programme, to include re-phasing of
elements of the programme into later years, as detailed in Appendix E of the
HRA Budget Setting Report.
vi. Approve the latest
budget sums, profiling and associated financing for
all new build schemes, as detailed in Appendices E and H, and summarised in
Appendix K, of the HRA Budget Setting Report.
vii. Approve allocation
of £10,964,000 of funds from the budget ear-marked for the delivery of new
homes into a scheme specific budget for East Road, in line with the scheme
specific report presented as part of the committee cycle.
viii. Approve the
revised Housing Capital Investment Plan as shown in Appendix K of the HRA
Budget Setting Report.
ix. Approve inclusion of
Disabled Facilities Grant expenditure and associated grant income from 2022/23
onwards, based upon 2022/23 net grant awarded, with approval of delegation to
the Head of Finance, as Section 151 Officer, to approve an in year increase or
decrease in the budget for disabled facilities grants in any year, in direct
relation to any increase or decrease in the capital grant funding for this
purpose, as received from the County Council through the Better Care Fund.
x. Approve delegation to
the Head of Finance, as Section 151 Officer, to determine the most appropriate
use of any additional Disabled Facilities Grant funding, for the wider benefit
of the Shared Home Improvement Agency.
xi. Approve delegation
to the Strategic Director to review and amend the level of fees charged by the
Shared Home Improvement Agency for disabled facilities grants and repair
assistance grants, in line with any recommendations made by the Shared Home
Improvement Agency Board.
xii. Approve delegation
to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Head of Finance, as Section
151 Officer, to draw down resource from the ear-marked reserves for potential
debt redemption or re-investment, for the purpose of open market land or
property acquisition or new build housing development, should the need arise, in order to meet deadlines for the use of retained right to
buy receipts or to facilitate future site redevelopment.
xiii. Approve delegation
to the Head of Finance, as Section 151 Officer, to make any necessary technical
amendments to detailed budgets in respect of recharges between the General Fund
and the HRA, with any change in impact for the HRA to be reported and
incorporated as part of the HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy in September
2023.
xiv. Note the result of
the Homes England Compliance Audit in respect of rough sleeper property
acquisitions at confidential Appendix M, recognising there is no corrective
action to be taken.
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 Assistant Head of
Finance and Business Manager.
In response to a
member question the Executive Councillor advised that rents were proposed to be
increased by 5% as they felt this was the appropriate level of increase in the
current economic climate. An increase of 7% would be too much.
The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets noted that funding had been
allocated within the budget to pay for works to bring council homes up to
Energy Performance Rating (EPC) rating C. Works could include external wall
insulation, ventilation upgrades and new windows. Each property would be
surveyed and assessed to see what works would be suitable to bring the property
up to an EPC C rating.
Councillor Howard
introduced the Green and Independent Group’s commentary on the Housing Revenue
Account Budget Setting Report.
Councillor Porrer
introduced the Liberal Democrat Amendment to the 2023/24 Housing Revenue
Account Budget Setting Report.
Lulu Agate read
out a comment on behalf of Tenant Representative Colin Stevens regarding the
Liberal Democrat budget amendment papers. Colin felt it was possible to keep
homes warm and have an airflow (by opening windows) and by educating people
this may reduce the need for repairs and empower people to live in a property
in a responsible fashion. The Housing
Ombudsman had carried out research into how best to communicate with tenants
about how tenants can better their own situation.
Mandy Powell-Hardy
noted that if tenants did not report repairs to the Council this could create
and exacerbate DMC issues.
The Assistant Head of Finance and Business
Manager and the Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets said the following in
response to Members’ questions:
i.
Advised that there was not an existing backlog in
response repairs. There had been a significant underspend during the financial
years 2020/21 and 2021/22 during the Covid pandemic period for a variety of
reasons. There was not a dedicated officer employed to deal with damp, mould and condensation (DMC) as per the Liberal Democrat
Budget amendment. Officers [a surveyor, tenant liaison officer and
multi-skilled officer] were currently seconded to deal with DMC issues.
Reporting levels for responsive repairs were back to pre-covid levels, but it
was noted that these appear to be lower value repairs. It was expected that reporting
levels of DMC would reduce during the summer months even if a level of
proactive works continued. DMC concerns were also expected to be picked up
through the tenancy audits.
ii.
Advised that a surveyor had been seconded from the
Void Inspections Team to respond to responsive repair issues and a surveyor
from the Responsive Repair Team was covering DMC inspections. A tenant liaison
officer was providing administrative support. The was no backlog of work
created by the secondments.
iii.
There was not an out of hours service for routine
repairs but there was an out of hours service for emergency repairs (24 hours
per day 365 days a year). Senior Officers were looking into whether
appointments for tenant repairs could be offered outside officer’s contracted
working hours of 8-4pm. A discussion with officer’s would be required as
potentially changes to officer’s contracts of employment (which specifies
certain working hours) would be required.
iv.
The only way to speed up the tenancy audits process
would be to put more resource into it to deliver it more quickly. Tenancy
audits were undertaken by a number of housing officers
but the resource currently equated to one full-time post.
The Liberal Democrat Group amendments were
voted on and recorded separately.
The following votes were chaired by Diana
Minns.
1.3 a) A proposal to employ two full time
equivalent additional Multi-Skilled Operatives for a fixed period of 2 years
(£100,840 per annum), with a view to these posts working specifically to
address any backlog in responsive repairs and to avoid future underspends in
this budget by giving staff the additional resources required to catch up.
These posts will be employed on contracts (full or part time) that support out
of hours working to allow the backlog to be addressed in late afternoons,
evenings and on Saturdays, thus reducing some of the persistent ‘no access’
issues that have been experienced by the service and which may often be caused
by tenants being out at work and not able to allow access during standard
working hours.
The amendment was lost by 4 votes in favour,
8 against and 1 abstention.
1.3 b) A proposal to pilot the potential for
the existing workforce to volunteer to work additional hours as overtime in the
late afternoons, evenings or on Saturdays to support catching up the backlog,
should staff wish to undertake this work. This would supplement the work done
by the two FTE additional posts above, and the opportunity to earn overtime pay
would be entirely voluntary. A fund of £11,470 is set aside to allow this pilot
to proceed. This is equivalent to 300 hours overtime including all on-costs.
The amendment was lost by 3 votes in favour,
7 against and 3 abstentions.
1.3 c) A proposal to include a revenue bid
of £51,840 per annum to employ a dedicated Damp, Mould
and Condensation (DMC) Officer. The post would work proactively with data on
existing repair requests from tenants and from void inspections to future proof
the housing stock across the city against case of damp, mould
and condensation. They would deploy mitigation measures to ensure that if one
house experiences a problem, the knowledge is rolled out to all similar stock
types before future problems arise and ensure that operatives are empowered to
treat the root cause and not just the effects of DMC. They would also work with
environmental
health to educate residents to help reduce risk.
The amendment was lost by 4 votes in favour, 6 against and 3
abstentions.
1.3 d) A proposal to invest £10,000 in additional consultancy input to
complete the energy modelling assessment exercise across the entire portfolio
of council housing stock. This would build upon an earlier exercise that was
completed for a small proportion of the housing stock as part of submitting a
current bid for Social Housing Decarbonisation Grant Funding in the autumn of
2022. Importantly, it would ensure that the data is readily available for
future government bids.
The amendment was lost by 4 votes in favour to 9 against
1.4 a) Amendment to revenue bid B5038 for increased staffing capacity
for Housing IT Development, to make the post a two year
fixed term post, as opposed to a permanent post. This would reduce costs by
£50,930 per annum from 2025/26 onwards, whilst still allowing IT development, improvement and enhancement to take place over the next two
years. This fits within the Corporate Transformation timescales and with the
proposed review of ICT provision across the council and allows future HRA IT
development to align with General Fund provision.
The amendment was lost by 2 votes in favour, 8 against and 2
abstentions.
b) Amendment to revenue bid B5083 for increased staffing capacity for
Service Improvement, to make the post a two year fixed
term post, as opposed to a permanent post. This would reduce costs by £59,550
per annum from 2025/26 onwards, whilst still allowing service improvement to be
delivered over the next two years. This then fits within the Corporate
Transformation timescales and allows for review once the impact of the
additional resources from Bids LDB1 and LDB2 has been assessed alongside this
post in two years.
The amendment was lost by 2 votes in favour, 8 against and 2
abstentions.
1.4 c) An increase in garage rents of 5%, as opposed to the 3% currently
incorporated into Budget, recognising that this will still impose an increase
at a rate far lower than inflation. This will generate additional income of
£16,060 per annum and is in line with the current proposals to raise rental
income to 5%.
The amendment was lost by 5 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention.
The Committee resolved:
i.
by 9 votes in favour to 0 against and 3 abstentions
to endorse the recommendations a-d
ii.
unanimously to endorse recommendations e-g.
iii.
by 9 votes in favour to 0 against and 3 abstentions
to endorse the recommendations h-k
The following vote was chaired by Councillor Thittala Varkey.
The Committee resolved by 7 votes in favour to 0 against and 1
abstention to endorse recommendations L - y.
The Executive Councillor
approved the recommendations.
Post meeting note
An amended version of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA)
Budget Setting Report (BSR) was presented to Council on the 23 February 2023 following
a number of key changes which arose since Housing
Scrutiny Committee had met on the 24 January 2023. The changes are set out in
the Housing Revenue Account Budget Setting Report (BSR) 2023/24 to Council. Agenda for Council on Thursday, 23rd February,
2023, 6.00 pm - Cambridge Council. The report amended some of the
Executive Councillor for Housing decisions which had previously been taken on
24 January 2023 and the Executive Councillor for Housing recommendations to
Council on 23 February 2023. Please refer to the 23 February 2023 Council
minutes for the final decisions.
Conflicts of Interest
Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest
were declared by the Executive Councillor.
Lead officer: Julia Hovells
To note the Housing Ombudsman’s findings, the Council’s actions to remedy the fault and act on lessons learnt.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 10/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report provides elected members with brief details of the Housing
Ombudsman’s finding of fault in two cases. The report details why fault was
found and outlines the actions the council has taken to remedy the matter for
the customer and identifies areas for improvement in the future.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the information contained within the officer’s report.
ii.
Approved the remedial actions outlined and measures
established to reduce or eliminate the risk of repeat mistakes in future cases.
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.
The Head of Housing said the following in response to the Committee’s
questions:
i.
Asked the Committee to note that it was standard
procedure on a stage 2 complaint response to refer people to the Housing
Ombudsman if they were not satisfied with the response provided by the Council.
It was noted that not all Council’s did this as standard practice.
ii.
Advised that the pilot hospital discharge scheme
was ended for a number of reasons. This included the
fact that the funding from Central Government had ceased, and that the Council
already had other processes in place.
iii.
It was accepted that the complaints had arisen from
officer errors. Training had been put in place to ensure that the issues did
not arise again.
The Committee resolved by 12 votes to 0
with 1 abstention to endorse 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.
Lead officer: David Greening
None - This report is for information and not for decision.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness
Decision published: 09/03/2023
Effective from: 24/01/2023
Decision:
Matter for
Decision
The report provides an update on the compliance
related activities delivered within the Estates & Facilities Team,
including a summary on gas servicing, electrical testing, and fire safety work.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Noted the status of the compliance dashboard with reference
to Electrical Inspection Condition Reports. The compliance team were currently
reviewing and consolidating Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) data. The heating services and
maintenance contract was to include the delivery of electrical inspections
reporting from November 2022. The request related to Electrical Inspection
Condition Reporting as data was being reviewed and verified and had not been
completed at the time of reporting.
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 Property Compliance
and Risk Manager.
The Head of Housing Maintenance and Assets said the following in
response to the Committee’s questions:
i.
The cause for concern cards which were used by
officers when undertaking inspections of properties had been updated to include
damp, mould, condensation and fuel poverty concerns.
It was noted that any officer within the council could refer concerns to the
Condensation Team.
ii.
The high proportion of concerns raised regarding
condensation came from people living in older solid wall properties. It was
expected that the number of concerns raised about condensation would increase
over the winter months.
iii.
The email address to report concerns about damp, mould and condensation to was condensation@cambridge.gov.uk.
iv.
EIC stood for Electrical Installation Certificate
and EICR stood for Electrical Installation Condition Report. An EIC could be
accepted for an upgrade to a whole system within a property and it could reset
the timer on the condition report.
An EIC could therefore act as a condition report for a new installation provided that it covered the whole system. The difference
between an EICR and an EIC was that an EICR included observations which an EIC
did not.
v.
It was noted that there were some delayed repairs
and complaints arising from a change in the heating services contractor.
Datasets could be provided on request. Officers were monitoring the performance
of the new contractor to ensure that performance of repairs was back up to
98-100%.
The Committee unanimously resolved 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.
Lead officer: Renier Barnard