Agenda and draft minutes

The Leader paid tribute to all staff and thanked all staff and partners for their contributions into the peer challenge process. He confirmed that whilst the council awaited the formal report, the feedback received had been excellent.

The Leader went on to refer to the Government’s announcements about local government re-organisation and the disappointing timing of the announcement.  Local Government re-organisation would result in decisions being taken further away from local people and the Leader advised he would ensure that the people across the area understood fully what was being proposed, to point out what they were likely to lose and critically to stand up for staff across the council.

In light of the this the Leader reported he would be asking the Chief Executive for a paper to be presented to the next meeting of the Council outlining the Government’s proposals so that all members could debate the issue.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Bools and

                    RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November be                     approved  as a correct record.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

To update members on the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Housing Consumer Standard and seek endorsement for the Charter for Tenants and the housing service’s communication strategy.

Members were provided with service updates in relation to the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Housing Consumer Standard, as required by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

Members welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work on tenant engagement.

In response to a question around member involvement in the Tenant Involvement and Scrutiny panel, officers confirmed that the panel had made the decision to continue without member involvement initially which would be reviewed in future, however the panel would produce an annual report to members.

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

                        RESOLVED -

(i)            The work underway to meet the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Consumer Standard be noted;

(ii)          The Charter for Tenants be endorsed;

(iii)         The Housing Service Communication Strategy be endorsed.

To present the recommendations of the Scrutiny Commission arising from the scrutiny review into housing, including requesting action by the Executive.

Members were presented with the recommendations from the Scrutiny Commission arising from the housing review.

Members thanked the Scrutiny Task and Finish group for their work. It was acknowledged that the request for additional staffing for empty homes would need to be considered in the usual budget process alongside other spending  priorities.

It was also suggested that the recommendation to increase capacity in relation to acquiring S106 properties be referred to officers as expertise was already available within the existing establishment.

It was suggested that the Panel could be consulted on the response to the consultation on Right to Buy that was currently being undertaken, subject to timescales.

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

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The principle of provision of additional staffing to investigate empty properties and bring them back into use. be supported, subject to consideration during the budget setting process;

(ii)             Officers be requested to consider opportunities for acquiring S106 properties utilising existing expertise.      

                    The Government be lobbied in relation to:

·        Section 106 sites: relating to affordable housing, engagement with registered providers, community infrastructure and viability 

·        Right to buy: restricting the sale of council properties to support the council in retaining housing stock 

·        Empty properties: funding to assist with bringing empty properties back into use 

·        Officer capacity and funding: funding for staffing to progress housing initiatives and requesting additional financial support for developing and acquiring council housing 

·        General: promoting a more coordinated approach to housing-related policies across government departments (for example, resettlement schemes, homelessness, prison discharge).