Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property.

Purpose of report

To provide background on Choice Based Lettings schemes in advance of any consultation on a possible change of approach from direct lettings to a Choice Based Lettings scheme, and also to provide information on future amendments to the Council’s existing Allocation Policy.

Decision

On being put to the vote, it was AGREED:

1.    To note the content of the report and the likely benefits of a Choice Based Lettings Approach.

2.    To approve:

a)    The consultation with partners and housing register applicants, as detailed in the report, to support the review of the Council’s Allocation Policy and the introduction of a Choice Based Lettings process.

b)    The consultation materials, processes and timescale as suggested in and appended to the report, and delegate to the Director of Housing and Property authority to make minor amendments to the materials and process as needed.

c)    The submission of a future report with a revised Allocation Policy and Choice Based Lettings scheme, taking into account the Council’s statutory responsibilities and the consultation responses.

Other options considered and rejected

a)    Do nothing and continue with a direct lettings approach.

b)    Change to a Choice Based Lettings approach.

Reason for the decision

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property introduced the report which set out a potential change to the way the Council allocated its vacant properties, from a direct letting approach to one where applicants bid for suitable homes to meet their needs, through an automated bidding system known as Choice Based Lettings.

Report from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning.

Decision:

Cabinet approves UK Gas Services Ltd (Building Services Division as the preferred contractor under the Efficiency East Midlands Framework) for the property improvement lot 3, at a total cost of £500,000 over the full five year term of the contract for the refurbishment/structural works to Council owned properties.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

·         Report from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning on the award of a contract for extensive refurbishment, structural and conversion works.

·         The Council’s on going requirement to carry out significant repair to ensure properties meet the needs of tenants and comply with the Homes Standard and any ongoing statutory and compliant requirements.

·         The budget assumptions for works included within the current 30-year HRA Business Plan.

·         The need to have a new contract in place to enable critical and necessary works to continue into the 2021/22 financial year.

·         The contract to be awarded in accordance with the South Kesteven District Council Contract Procurement Procedure Rules.

·         Utilising a framework in respect of refurbishment and structural works ensures that contractors have been pre-assessed on both price and quality of work.

·         Consultation in respect of any necessary works to be carried with tenants in accordance with contract specifications and timelines.

Other options considered:

1)    Do nothing – this option was discounted as there was a need to ensure that the Council has capability of delivering specific structural and refurbishment works to certain council properties.

2)    Consideration was given to the use of alternative tender and procurement options, however due to the likely costs and complexity of works associated with structural repairs an OJEU compliant framework was considered the best option.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning presented the report on the awarding of a contract for extensive refurbishment, structural and conversion works to Council properties.  It was anticipated that this would only apply to a small number of properties.  The current contract had lapsed and a new contract needed to be in place as soon as possible to allow for structural issues to be addressed.  Tenants who were impacted would be fully consulted and the budget for the work had been previously approved.

The contract had been awarded under the Efficiency East Midlands Framework and was in accordance with the Council’s Contract and Procurement Procedures.

On being put to the vote, it was AGREED:

To approve UK Gas Services Ltd (Building Services Division as the preferred contractor under the Efficiency East Midlands Framework) for the property improvement lot 3, at a total cost of £500,000 over the full five year term of the contract for the refurbishment/structural works to Council owned properties.