Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Griffin and Councillor Smith, the Green, Health and Arts Portfolio Holder.

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

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The action notes from the meeting held on 22 November 2012 were noted subject to the following amendments:

·         Action note 36 (residents’ parking scheme – Stamford): to amend the second sentence to read: “The information was initially released on the Council’s website without forewarning local town councillors.”

·         Action note 36 (residents’ parking scheme – Stamford): to amend the final sentence to read: “Officers noted that the preferred method of communication with Stamford Town Councillors would have been via Stamford Town Council.”

·         Action note 37: to add the following note: “Councillor Bryant noted the excellent presentation in response to the question submitted to council and added that he felt the referral of questions to PDGs was valuable as it allowed full consideration of issues raised.

·         Action note 38 (Localisation of Council Tax Benefit - council tax support scheme): to amend the first sentence to read: “Some concern was expressed about the impact of the proposed scheme on low income families whether they were in work or not, and whether the consultation provided sufficient opportunity for members of the public to raise their concerns.”

The Property Development Manager gave a brief update on car parking and residents’ parking schemes:

·         The PDG’s recommendation to change the wording in the car parking strategy in respect of access to on-street parking for those enjoying the night-time economy offer in Grantham had been completed.

·         Cabinet approved the Car Parking Strategy at its meeting on 3 December 2012. Copies of the final strategy would be circulated to all PDG members for information.

·         Arrangements were in place to progress proposals for residents’ parking schemes in Stamford. As an interim arrangement an on-street waiver had been put in place, which the county council based on the scale of charges for district council car parks.

·         Joint consultation would be undertaken by the county and district council to streamline the process of getting a Traffic Regulation Order for the designated zones.

·         It had been determined that any residents’ parking schemes in the district would run on a cost-recovery basis and fees would be set accordingly.

·         Any areas across the district that were highlighted as parking trouble spots could be referred through the parking partnership to request targeted enforcement.

Report number H&N002 by the Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods.    (Enclosure)

The Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods introduced the Housing Programme of Work. Since the PDG’s last meeting consultation events with external stakeholders and the Council’s Community Focus Forum had been undertaken. The programme comprised four elements: the Tenancy Strategy, Housing Strategy, Allocations Policy and Tenancy Policy.

The Localism Act required that, as a strategic housing authority, the Council adopt and publish a Tenancy Strategy by 15 January 2012. The draft document would be submitted to Cabinet for decision on 7 January 2012. The PDG would have the opportunity to consider other aspects of the Programme of Work at its meeting on 10 January 2012. The Tenancy Strategy would cover all social housing providers within the district. A key component on which the PDG was asked to make recommendations was the inclusion of flexible tenure and whether it was a broad principle the Council should include in its strategy. Councillors noted that such a statement included in the overarching Tenancy Strategy would not have to form part of the council’s own Tenancy Policy. In acknowledging that housing providers could decide to adopt flexible tenure regardless of the council’s strategy statement, Members were also asked to recommend provisions for the review of tenancies.

Mr Richardson gave examples of uptake in other areas. Flexible tenure was used for housing provision in New South Wales, Australia where 99% of tenancies were extended because income thresholds were not breached. One housing association operating in South Kesteven had chosen not to introduce flexible tenure, while another who ran housing stock on behalf of a neighbouring authority had opted to apply it on a limited basis.

Feedback from stakeholder consultation did not identify advantages for the tenant, however there were potential benefits for prospective tenants. Officers reported that these would not be evident until the end of the first fixed-term tenancy.

PDG members were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the approach that would be taken in the Council’s Tenancy Strategy. Prior to putting any question to officers Cllr Morgan declared an interest as she had previously been in the employment of Nottingham Community Housing Association.

• Regardless of the type of tenancy, enforcement action could be taken against any tenant who breached the conditions of their tenancy agreement. If it chose, the PDG could recommend that tenancy conduct was taken into account when fixed-term tenancies were reviewed.
• If fixed term tenancies were introduced, reviews would need to be carried out 6 months before the expiration of the tenancy. If a decision was taken that a tenant had sufficient income to afford alternative accommodation then that tenant’s circumstances changed, they would be able to request a review of that decision
• Councillors were advised in response to a question about the impact of such a policy on specific groups such  as single-parent families and families with children, that it was possible to exempt particular groups
• The Council would develop its own specific Tenancy Policy, which it was anticipated would be adopted in February/March 2013. Before its implementation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The meeting was closed at 12:09pm