Agenda and minutes

To receive comments or views from members of the public at the Panel’s discretion.

None received.

The Panel to be notified of any substitute members.

The Panel were notified that Councillor Mrs Radley was substituting for Councillor Mrs Wheat for this meeting only.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sandall.

Members are asked to declare interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

None received.

The notes of the meeting held on 14th September 2006 are attached for information.

(Enclosure)

The action notes for the meeting held on 14th September were confirmed as a correct record with the amendment that the following Councillor and Officers were present at the meeting:

Councillor Mrs Cartwright

Corporate Head of Finance and Resources

Service Manager, Assets & Facilities

Service Manager, Development & Building Control

CCTV Manager

Community Safety Officer

Scrutiny Officer

Scrutiny Support Officer

Sergeant Mike Jones Local Authority Liaison Officer

The panel to undertake the first gateway review of the following service plans:

·              Tenancy and Neighbourhood Services

·              Supported Housing

·              Repairs & Improvements

·              Housing Solutions

Copies of the relevant service plans have been distributed to members of the panel as background papers.

Tenancy & Neighbourhood Services

Members had been circulated with a copy of the service plan which had been colour coded for ease of reference. The Director of Tenancy Services informed the panel that the 17 objectives listed had been discussed at a meeting of the District Compacts on 9th October and a traffic light system had been introduced to explain the performance assessment of each of the objectives.  He then went through the 5 objectives which covered Tenancy Services as a whole and were shown in red ink.   The first objective was to “Develop a fully integrated and successful Tenancy Service Team”.  The Tenancy Services structure had been in place and fully staffed since January this year.  A two day away day had taken place in February for team building and annual appraisals had taken place although a lot of work had been done there was still more to do and therefore an amber light had been given.  The next objective dealt with “LSVT pre ballot work” a significant amount of work had been done with both the tenants working group and LIBRA the independent tenant advisors, the offer document had been sent to all tenants and the ballot was currently taking place.  There was still work to be done and therefore this objective had also been given an amber light.  The next objective dealt with the “delivery of Gershon savings” a projected saving of £34,000 had been made, however the actual saving was £61,000 and therefore this objective had a green light.  The next objective “Customer Services Strategy” had a red light.  The Director of Tenancy Services informed the panel that priority had been given to work on the LSVT and key members of staff had been doing work on policies for South Lincolnshire Homes.   Also there was a gap in the information that the tenancy services database held which meant that the IT system needed to be developed in order to capture the relevant data.  After the results of the ballot were known a more meaningful customer services strategy could be produced.   A question was asked about how the relevant data was measured to which the Director of Tenancy Services replied that it was a case of sitting down with the tenants and discussing their satisfaction level with the service they received.  Also information obtained from satisfaction surveys carried out when new tenants moved in to properties or had repairs carried out helped in shaping the strategy.    A further question was asked about staff resources, did these affect gershon savings.  The Director of Tenancy Services replied that any savings identified were re-invested in the service and he referred to areas such as Supported Housing where less sickness in the staff had meant there was no need for the paying of overtime or employing agency staff which contributed to savings.  Another question was asked about staffing, whether there was insufficient staff to complete the targets.  The Director of Tenancy Services replied that most staff were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Housing Solutions Manager to update the Panel.

A copy of the report has been circulated to Panel members only.

Members noted the report and congratulated the Housing Solutions Manager on the work that he and his team had carried out which had resulted in the Council receiving a report of a one star service with promising prospects.

Conclusion

That the next meeting of the Community DSP be held on Wednesday 22nd November at Stamford Arts Centre.

The meeting closed at 12 noon.

Members decided to postpone the meeting scheduled to be held on 9th November to Wednesday 22nd November and that it be held at Stamford Arts Centre.