Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Bools.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2025..

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June be approved

                        as a correct record.

To update members on the work undertaken in response to the cost-of-living crisis through the Warm Welcome project and the key achievements attained during the winter season 2024/25.

Members were presented with a report which detailed work undertaken in response to the cost-of-living crisis through the Warm Welcome project and the key achievements undertaken during the winter season 2024/25.

Members congratulated officers and thanked them for their work on this initiative, that had culminated in work undertaken right across the Borough.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            That members acknowledged and endorsed the contents of the report.

(ii)          That members acknowledged the extensive work undertaken to co-ordinate the work across the Borough in relation to Warm Welcomes.

(iii)         That members noted the recent submission to the Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals, Safety & Compliance Awards, which culminated in the Warm Welcome work being highly commended in the category ‘Best Initiative to Combat Fuel Poverty Crisis.’

To inform members of the draft Heritage Strategy 2025 – 2029 and accompanying action plan

Members received a report which presented the proposed Heritage Strategy 2025-2029 and accompanying background and action plan document.

Members thanked officers for their work on this strategy.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED – that the Heritage Strategy and accompanying                         background and action plan guide conservation and heritage

                        activities in the Borough over the next five years is endorsed.

To present to members the revised draft Council Housing Rent Collection policy

Members were presented with the revised draft Council Housing Rent Collection policy.

They key policy areas included:-

-       Rent Setting

-       Service Charge

-       Rent Collections and Arrears Management

-       Former Tenant Arrears Recovery

-       Monitoring and Reporting

-       Tenant Engagement.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            That Executive noted the report and accompanying policy.

(ii)          That Executive endorsed a period of tenant consultation.

(iii)         That Executive supported the delegation of authority to the interim Director of Community Services and the Executive Member for Housing & Community Safety to make any amendments to the policy arising from the consultation and to agree an implementation date, following tenant consultation.

To seek support for the implementation of a Homelessness Prevention Policy in the Housing Options Team

Members were presented with the Homeless Prevention Policy Implementation report. The aim of the policy was to set out clear prevention tactics available to the service to present people becoming homeless and assist in getting cases moved on from temporary accommodation.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED – that the Homelessness Prevention policy be

                        approved.

To seek members approval to work towards the identification of 12 bed spaces for Afghan Resettlement, within the private rented sector

Members were presented with the Afghan Resettlement Scheme report that detailed the government request to assist in providing accommodation for Afghan Resettlement. It was proposed the council supported through  identification of 12 bed spaces for Afghan resettlement within the private rented sector.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED – that members supported the identification of 12                      bed spaces within the private rental sector for Afghan                                               Resettlement.

On the motion of Councillor Bray seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs ? and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Commission has agreed to the item being accepted as an urgent item in accordance with Paragraph 16 of the Access to Information Procedure rules

Members were presented with an exemption request for work to the new Depot (Unit E).

It was moved by Councillor Hodgkins, seconded by Councillor Bray and

                        RESOLVED – the urgent procurement exemption request for

                        works to the new depot (unit E) be approved.