Agenda item

Director of Tenancy Services to report.

Conclusion

That the Community DSP membership of the working group to investigate ways in how properties are managed be comprised of Councillor Martin-Mayhew, Councillor Sandall and Councillor Exton.  Substitute members of the Working Group to be Councillor Mrs Bosworth, Councillor Bisnauthsing and Councillor Mrs Radley.

Members had been circulated with report TSE015 which concerned issues to be addressed following the no ballot in which council tenants had voted to remain with the Council.   There had been a high turnout with 75.6% of tenants voting of which 73.2% had voted against transfer to South Lincolnshire Homes.  The transfer process would now stop.   There were three main issues facing the Council these were:

1)         the Tenancy Services’ Service Plan and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan will have to be reviewed now that access to the additional resources possible with SLH will not happen;

2)         the implications for the local affordable housing programme now that the Council will not get a capital receipt from the transfer;

3)         the opportunity to investigate innovative ways in how properties are managed.   A working group to be set up to investigate this with membership from the Community DSP, representatives from the Tenants Working Group and staff representatives.

The Director of Tenancy Services referred to the Extraordinary Council meeting that was being held on 30th November to discuss the way forward following the ballot.  One of the recommendations of the report being submitted at the meeting was that the Government be requested to reform the housing subsidy system to enable all the money raised locally (approximately £5m) to be retained locally rather then being sent to central government for distribution. 

The focus of Tenancy Services was to work with members, tenants’ representatives and staff to identify how the housing landlord service could be improved to deliver a truly brilliant service.

Members then expressed concerns about becoming a brilliant service and referred to various complaints that they had received about workers failing to complete jobs satisfactorily.  The Repairs and Improvements Service Manager said that unfortunately everyone had a “horror” story to tell but unless the complaints were made to the service concerned changes could not be made. The Director of Tenancy Services spoke of the satisfaction survey which was sent to a sample of 10% of the tenants.  This revealed a 90+% satisfaction from the tenants in the work that they have done by the workers and also a 100% satisfaction with the staff that take the repairs complaint initially.  The Service Manager Repairs and Improvements said that fundamental changes would be being made in the near future and changing the “mindset” of people was required.  The Director of Tenancy Services agreed and that a more holistic approach was required if a brilliant service was to be forthcoming.

Members then discussed membership of the working group.  Permanent members of the working group would be Councillors’ Sandall and Martin-Mayhew.  Councillor Exton was willing to be co-opted on to the working group due to his knowledge to which the Panel agreed.  It was also agreed that Councillors’ Bosworth and Bisnauthsing be substitute members if required.  Councillor Mrs Radley indicated that she would be available as a substitute member, but she was not a permanent member of the Committee but would acting as a substitute for Councillor Mrs Wheat for the foreseeable future.