Community Policy and Review Panel - Thursday, 15th June, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Cllr M.D. Smith be appointed Chairman for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Cllr S.J. Masterson be appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6th April, 2017 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6th April, 2017 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation which will provide an update on progress against key areas of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy.  This will include the following items:

(i)            Housing Strategy Overview

(ii)           Registered Providers Review Report (copy attached)

(iii)         Private Sector Housing Survey Report (copy attached)

(iv)         North Lane Lodge

(1)       Housing Strategy Overview

The Panel welcomed Ms Qamer Yasin, Head of Environmental Health and Housing, who introduced the presentation on Housing Service and explained that the other elements to the presentation were all linked to the Council’s overall Housing and Homelessness Strategy.

(2)       Housing and Homelessness Strategy

The Panel welcomed Ms Sally Ravenhill, Strategy and Enabling Manager, who provided an interim update on the Housing and Homelessness Strategy which had been adopted by the Council in February 2017, subject to the Panel considering changes in two areas:

·         Housing and Income Data

·         Definition of Affordable Housing

The Panel considered and provided comment on the Housing and Income Data supplied, noting that recently published data would form part of the next update.  It was noted that using official figures provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) ensured consistency and allowed comparisons over time, whilst local figures helped to provide context.

The Panel asked that the presentation be circulated to them after the meeting.  Comments made at the meeting would be taken on board for consideration at the next Panel meeting in September 2017, when the Housing and Homelessness Strategy would be discussed in more detail as part of one of two scheduled progress and update sessions on the Strategy to come to the Panel during the Municipal Year.

(3)       Registered Providers’ Review Report

The Panel welcomed Ms Zoe Paine, Strategy and Enabling Manager, who gave a presentation on the Review of Registered Providers (RPs) in 2016/17, to complement Report No. EHH1714 which was circulated as part of the agenda papers.  The presentation and Report covered:

·         Purpose of the Annual Reviews

·         Process undertaken

·         Key issues identified during neighbourhood visits

The Panel provided feedback on the issues identified in respect of the four Housing Providers reviewed during 2016/17: Society of St James (SSJ); Sanctuary Housing; Thames Valley Housing; and Ministry of Defence.

The Panel was advised that, where the Council was aware of complaints against an RP, it could assist by guiding residents on what avenues were open to them to resolve these complaints.  The Council could also raise issues directly with the RP, with serious, unresolved complaints being referred to the Homes and Communities Agency, which regulated RPs. 

(4)       Private Sector Housing Survey Report

The Panel welcomed Ms Hilary Smith, Private Sector Housing Manager, who gave a presentation on the Private Sector Housing Survey, to complement Report No. EHH1715 which was circulated as part of the agenda papers. 

The Panel noted the background to and aim of the survey, as well as the findings and remedial actions taken to improve problem areas.  The Panel was pleased to note that the original aims of the survey had been met, and information gathered would help to improve housing standards and safety for residents.  It also noted that, whilst follow-up work was scheduled, it was not necessary for further survey work to be carried out at this time. 

The Panel was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

(i)            Mid Cycle Meetings –

To appoint group representatives to attend the mid-cycle meetings for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

(ii)        Health Issues Standing Group –

To appoint Members to the Health Issues Standing Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.  The Group previously consisted of the Chairman (Cr. M.D. Smith), Vice-Chairman (Cr. M.S. Choudhary) and one Member from the remaining political Group (Cr. P.F. Rust).  

(iii)       Housing Strategy Standing Group –

To appoint Members to the Housing Strategy Standing Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. The Group previously consisted of the Chairman (Cr. M.D. Smith) and Crs. R. Cooper, Jennifer Evans, S.J. Masterson and M.J. Roberts.

(iv)       Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group –

To appoint Members to the Welfare Reform Task and Finish for 2017/18. The Group previously consisted of the Chairman (Cr. M.D. Smith) and Crs. Jennifer Evans, A. Jackman and M.J. Roberts.

(v)        Registered Providers of Social Housing Review Group –

To appoint Members to the Registered Social Landlords Review Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. The Group previously consisted of the Chairman (Cr. M.D. Smith) and Vice-Chairman (Cr. M.S. Choudhary) and Crs. R. Cooper, Jennifer Evans and M. J. Roberts.

(vi)       Vivid/Rushmoor Borough Council Joint Business Meeting –

To appoint Members to the Joint Business Meeting with Vivid Housing Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. In 2016/17, the Group’s membership comprised the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing (Cr. Barbara Hurst), the Chairman (Cr. M.D. Smith), the Vice-Chairman (Cr. M.S. Choudhary) and Cr. M.J. Roberts.

The Panel agreed the following appointments for the 2017/18 Municipal Year:

(1)          Mid-Cycle Meetings –

RESOLVED: It was agreed that Cllr P.F. Rust would attend the mid-cycle meetings in 2017/18 as a representative of the Labour Group, along with the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith) and Vice-Chairman (Cllr S.J. Masterson).

(2)          Health Issues Standing Group –

RESOLVED: That the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith) and Vice-Chairman (Cllr S.J. Masterson) and Cllr P.F. Rust be appointed to the Health Issues Standing Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

(3)          Housing Strategy Standing Group –

RESOLVED: That the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith) and Vice-Chairman (Cllr S.J. Masterson) and Cllrs R. Cooper, A.H. Crawford and M.J. Roberts be appointed to the Housing Strategy Standing Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

(4)          Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group –

RESOLVED: That the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith) and Cllrs Jennifer Evans, A. Jackman and M.J. Roberts be appointed to the Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year, with attendance by the Cabinet Member for Concessions and Community Support (Cllr G.B. Lyon) as required by the Group.

(5)          Registered Providers of Social Housing Review Group –

RESOLVED: That the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith) and Vice-Chairman (Cllr S.J. Masterson) and Cllrs R. Cooper, Jennifer Evans and M.J. Roberts be appointed to the Registered Providers of Social Housing Review Group for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

(6)          Vivid/Rushmoor Borough Council Joint Business Meeting –

RESOLVED: That the Chairman (Cllr M.D. Smith), Vice-Chairman (Cllr S.J. Masterson), and Cllr M.J. Roberts and the Cabinet Minister for Health and Housing (Cllr Barbara Hurst) be appointed to the Vivid/Rushmoor Borough Council Joint Business Meeting for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

To note the Community Policy and Review Panel’s draft work programme for 2017/18 subject to review at the next mid-cycle meeting (copy attached).

The Panel noted that the work programme would be reviewed at the next mid-cycle meeting of the Municipal Year.