Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the Housing Service’s Hoarding Policy, the Homes Policy Development Group has recommended that the tracked changes in the revised Hoarding Policy be approved.

Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the Housing Service’s Hoarding Policy, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the tracked changes in the revised Hoarding Policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

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

To receive a report from the Group Manager for Housing Services reviewing the Hoarding Policy by virtue of time bar.

The Group had before it a report * from the Group Manager for Housing Services reviewing the Housing Service’s Hoarding Policy.

The contents of the report were outlined with the following key factors being highlighted:

·         There had only been minor changes to the policy and these were tracked for ease of reference.

·         People who hoarded were sometimes very vulnerable and often there were mental health issues. However, the Council had a duty to assess a situation from a health and safety perspective as well as supporting the tenant who was hoarding. The possibility of fire was a particular concern as was being able to get to parts of a property to conduct necessary repairs.

·         If a situation was particularly bad, for example, if rodents were an issue, then legal action would be pursued.

·         Housing officers worked very closely with the Building Services team to monitor and maintain affected properties.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the tracked changes in the revised Hoarding Policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr B Holdman and seconded by Cllr D R Coren)

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