Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the  Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that that the revised policy be approved.

Arising from a * report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the  Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that 654 properties owned by the Housing Revenue Account had been formally classified sheltered housing, this had since been reclassified as accessible housing, because of the change in age range of the occupiers of the properties. The Tenants Together Group had considered whether it was necessary for the Council to undertake the decoration of every property and that savings could be made

Consideration was given to the 5% of tenants who were unable to redecorate their properties and what service would be provided.

RESOLVED that the revised policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr  R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr  Mrs M E Squires)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Property outlining the revised Void Management Policy.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing and Property Services advising members of the revised Void Management Policy. The Building Services Manager explained that 654 of the properties owned by the Housing Revenue Account were formally classified as ‘Sheltered Accommodation’ however this had since been reclassified as ‘Accessible Housing’. The change in designation had removed the minimum age criteria for allocation of these properties. It was possible that in the future in order to make the best use of the housing stock these properties could be allocated to persons under the age of 45, in recent months one of these properties was let to a 29 year old.

Previously Sheltered Housing voids had been decorated prior to letting. The average cost to decorate a sheltered property based upon our schedule of rates was around £700. In order to reduce costs and counteract the constraints placed upon the Housing Revenue Account by the current financial climate, it was proposed that the authority no longer decorate sheltered /accessible housing stock, and apply the same principles to decoration as currently used for the generals general needs stock.

The Housing ‘Tenants Together’ group have been consulted on this policy and their comments taken into consideration.

Discussion took place regarding the criteria for accessible accommodation, which was dependant on need not age and that it was anticipated that around 5% of tenants may not be able to decorate the property themselves but if this was the case the work would be undertaken post-void.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet adopt the revised Void Management Policy.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs H Bainbridge and seconded by Cllr W J Daw)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.