Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Cope, MacDonald, Smith, Ward and Williams with the substitution of Councillor Bill for Councillor Cope authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

It was moved by Councillor Camamile, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2018 be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To brief members on the split in distribution of work between the in-house repairs team and contractors, as requested at a previous meeting.

In response to a request at a previous meeting, members received a report on the split in distribution of work in the housing repairs service between the in-house repairs team and contractors.

The following points were raised in response to questions:

·         As part of the electrical testing programme, any serious fault identified would be addressed immediately and would not have to wait for the rewiring programme

·         Where a property had been converted and the tenant left, attempts were made to match the needs of someone on the waiting list with that property. Where this was not possible, equipment would be removed and returned to the county council if appropriate

·         Carbon monoxide alarms were fitted to those properties most at risk, for example those using solid fuel

·         A recharge policy was in place to charge tenants for damage caused by abuse, misuse or neglect

·         A definition of what constitutes an emergency repair, urgent repair, routine repair and programmed repair would be sent to members.

A member asked whether a record was kept of return visits for repairs and in response it was noted that some work on this was being undertaken with the tenant advisory panel and officers were looking at a way of monitoring it electronically. A progress report on this in six months was requested.

The cost of changing from solid fuel systems to air source heat pumps and the number awaiting conversion was queried. In response it was estimated that this was around £8,000 per property and stated that grant funding to assist with the cost was being pursued. It was requested that an update on this be provided in the aforementioned further report.

The housing repairs team was thanked for its hard work.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The report be noted and welcomed;

(ii)           The housing repairs team be thanked;

(iii)          A further report be brought in six months.

To provide members with the end of year outturn position for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks.

Consideration was given to the end of year performance and risk management report. It was requested that those not updated due to the year end data capture process be brought to the next meeting.

Councillor Taylor entered the meeting at 6.56pm.

Members requested that the use of acronyms in reports be avoided.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To inform members of the draft financial outturn for 2017/18.

Members were informed of the draft outturn for 2017/18. Some discussion ensued about the IAS19 pension adjustments, the HRA income and HRA capital programme.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To inform members of the council’s treasury management activity in the fourth quarter of 2017/18.

A report on the council’s treasury management activity in the fourth quarter of 2017/18 was presented.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To inform members of the position on sundry debts as at 31 March 2018.

Members were informed of the position on sundry debts as at 31 March 2018. It was noted that there were some large debts from other local authorities but much of this debt had been chased and received recently.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

It was reported that a meeting date in December 2018 had been omitted from the calendar of meetings. It was agreed that this be held on 17 December.