Issue - meetings

To receive an update report from the Operations Manager for Housing Services.

The Group had before it a briefing paper * from the Operations Manager for Housing Services providing an update to Members on enforcement and other activities undertaken by officers in the Housing Service.

Key highlights within the report were reported as follows:

·         Since the last report there had been a restructure in Housing Services with Housing options passing to Public Health. The report now focussed on activity funded through the HRA as undertaken by the Neighbourhood teams.

·         Numbers and availability of staff had been affected by the pandemic with pressures in certain areas.

·         Anti-Social Behaviour had escalated during the pandemic and work had had to be undertaken in drawing up acceptable behaviour agreements.

·         The courts still had a significant backlog in bringing cases forward.

·         There had been a ban on evictions between March 2020 and May 2021.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·         35 Notices Seeking Possession being served.

·         Neighbourhood Teams worked closely with tenants to resolve issues especially in relation to potential evictions.

·         Rent debt currently stood at 1.43% of total expected income which was lower than this time last year.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services stated that the Housing Services teams had worked extremely hard during difficult circumstances to support and engage with tenants. Their professionalism had been exemplary and they were to be congratulated. The Group supported this sentiment.

Note: * Briefing paper previously circulated; copy attached to signed minutes.