Agenda item

To receive the Registered Providers Task and Finish Group Annual Report 2022/23. Report No. PG2307 is attached on the work of the Task and Finish Group during the 2022/23 Municipal Year. The Committee is asked to consider the recommendations.

The Committee welcomed Tim Mills, Executive Head of Property and Growth, and  Sarah Clark, Strategic Housing Officer, who were in attendance at the meeting to provide Report No. PG2307 on the work of the Registered Providers Task and Finish Group during the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

It was advised that three Registered Providers (RP) had been reviewed during 2022/23, these included:

(1)  SOUTHERN HOUSING GROUP – key points noted from the review included, a planned Hardship Fund budget of £250,000 for 2023/24 , a new rent management system to help monitor residents arrears, that 93% of emergency repairs were completed within target, London and Quadrant housing stock to be transferred to Southern would be added to the planned maintenance programme and antisocial behaviour (ASB) complaints were now triaged dependant of risk level

(2)  GRAINGER TRUST – key points noted from the review included, that Grainger did not currently have a damp and mould policy, a further 821 properties were in the development pipeline, support services had been invested in to deal with increasing rent arrears and plans for a permanent play area and community centre would be submitted in 2023.

(3)  VIVID HOMES - key points noted from the review included, that all rent increases would be capped at 7%, the specialist Damp and Mould team  would be expanded in 2023/24, acknowledgment had been given that the repairs services had not been performing well for residents – a plan had been in place to increase staffing levels in 2023/24 with an aim to get all backlogged repairs completed by September 2023 and a Decarbonisation Fund had been secured to improve 550 properties, of which the majority would be in Farnborough.

In addition to the report, it was advised that a proposal had been made to invite Vivo/Pinnacle (property/repairs management for MOD Properties) to be reviewed every year due to the size and concerns over the condition of the stock portfolio.

The Committee discussed the report and raised a number of queries, these included:

·         The lack of a Damp and Mould Policy at Grainger - it was requested that the Group discuss this with Grainger representatives and strongly recommend that they implement a policy to address this matter directly

·         VIVID response times – The Committee expressed concern regarding the waiting times for residents in gaining a response to their issues following reports being made, it was noted that the minimum residents should expect is a timely response to, at least, acknowledge the reported issue

·         Decarbonisation – it was proposed that a question regarding RP investment for decarbonisation schemes could be asked as part of the review process

ACTION:

The Committee ENDORSED the programme of work carried out in 2022/23 and authorised the Group to prepare a programme of reviews for 2023/24.

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Housing Team and the Registered Providers Task and Finish Group Members for their work during 2022/23.