Issue - meetings

1.  That the updated HRA Asset Management Strategy included as Appendix 1 to report CAB3264 be adopted, subject to delegated authority being granted to the Corporate Head of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, to make minor amendments to add clarification and reflect points made by the Business and Housing Policy Committee.

2.  That the proposed criteria for disposals and acquisition of council dwellings be approved, as set out in the report in sections 16, 17 and 18.

3.  That the proposal to fund the provision of fire door sets to leasehold properties in the medium rise flats at Winnall be approved.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which had been considered by the Business and Housing Policy Committee at its meeting on 30 November 2021.  Following discussion at that meeting and subsequently with members, it was proposed to make a number of changes to the strategy.  These amendments were summarised for those present and are appended to the minutes.  In view of the changes, Councillor Learney proposed an amendment to recommendation one to enable minor amendments to the strategy to be made (amendment agreed as set out in resolution one below).

At the invitation of the Leader, David Light (TACT) and Councillor Horrill addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

David Light

Generally supported the HRA budget and welcomed work to make council homes more energy efficient. Welcomed the provision of more council homes without impacting on shared recreational areas.

Councillor Horrill

Recognised the need for urgency in order to install the fire doors without delay.  However emphasised the detailed discussions and points raised by Business and Housing Policy Committee and that it would have been preferable if adequate time was allowed for the report to be amended prior to consideration at Cabinet.  Requested that the amended strategy be circulated to all members prior to being finally agreed.

Councillor Learney responded to comments made and confirmed that she would ensure the amended strategy was circulated to all members as requested.

Cabinet agreed the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the updated HRA Asset Management Strategy included as Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, subject to delegated authority being granted to the Corporate Head of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, to make minor amendments to add clarification and reflect points made by the Business and Housing Policy Committee.

2.         That the proposed criteria for disposals and acquisition of council dwellings be approved, as set out in sections 16, 17 and 18 to the report.

3.         That the proposal to fund the provision of fire door sets to leasehold properties in the medium rise flats at Winnall be approved.

Report Ref: BHP021 and CAB3264

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is recommended that the Policy Committee comment on the priorities and principles of the HRA Asset Management Strategy:

a)    The Asset Management Strategy’s overall outcomes (Section 11.3)

b)    The criteria for disposals and acquisition. Where an asset is identified in the first instance as being surplus to requirements that it be appraised through an options appraisal and an asset is assessed for purchase using the acquisition eligibility criteria. (Section 16.4)

c)    The proposal to fund the provision of fire door sets to leasehold properties in the medium rise flats at Winnall (Section 16.2)

(Report Ref BHP021 and CAB3264)

The Corporate Head of Housing introduced the report and provided the committee with an overview of the rationale of producing the strategy and its key aspects. Members were advised that its purpose was to ensure the council made the best use of its housing stock for current and future housing needs. The three big challenges for the council’s housing stock were summarised as the safety of homes, reducing carbon emissions of homes, and increasing the supply of local, affordable homes. The Corporate Head of Housing advised that the strategy would be presented to Cabinet in 2022 and officers sought the committee's views regarding the priorities and principles of the HRA Asset Management Strategy and specifically

a)    The Asset Management Strategy’s overall outcomes (section 11.3 of the report)

b)    The criteria for disposals and acquisitions. Where an asset was identified in the first instance as being surplus to requirements that it be appraised through an options appraisal and an asset was assessed for purchase using the acquisition eligibility criteria. (section 16.4 of the report)

c)    The proposal to fund the provision of fire door sets to leasehold properties in the medium-rise flats at Winnall (section 16.2 of the report)

The committee asked questions on a range of subjects including:

·         whether there was adequate provision to meet the costs for retrofit of energy efficiency & carbon reduction measures. 

·         clarifying the policy regarding the needs of older persons and accessible bathrooms.  

·         concern over the ability to acquire and/or develop sites in rural areas. 

·         liaising with South Down National Park Authority (SDNPA) concerning the availability of land. 

·         creating green and open spaces to form part of this strategy. 

·         consideration to be given to buying land to assist with nitrate mitigation. 

·         did the strategy make specific reference to climate change challenges?

·         demand levels increasing above expected numbers following the next intake of students with the University of Southampton.

·         within the disposal criteria, what action would we take on a property that we were disposing of because of the costs to improve its carbon efficiency were too great?

·         within the disposal criteria, the criteria that refers to “unsuitable for future needs of the council” – could this be amended to also say “and also couldn’t be made suitable for future needs of the council”? 

·         whether in rural areas that housing allocation and local demand be closer aligned to local need.

·         awareness of schemes and models that had the potential for external partners to forward fund carbon reduction measures within new build properties.

·         balancing the requests for adaptations that may give rise to cases of under occupancy.

·         the current housing provision and support for older residents with mental health issues.

On the specific proposal regarding fire doors at Winnall, the following questions and comments were made:

·         what are the obligations of leaseholders?

·         is this approach being undertaken elsewhere in the district?

·         why is WCC prioritising the medium rise blocks at Winnall?

·         what is the value of the door?

·         what are the disadvantages of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5