Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customers and Communities) and the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods detailing the outcome from the review of housing management services in Leeds and presents a recommendation on the future delivery of housing management in the city, whilst also sets out implementation arrangements.

Further to minute 155 of the meeting held January 2013, the Assistant Chief Executive (Customers and Communities) and the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a joint report detailing the outcome of the review of housing management services in Leeds. The report presented recommendations on the future delivery of housing management in the city, whilst also setting out implementation arrangements.

In January 2013, following a recommendation from the housing management review team, Executive Board approved a period of consultation with tenants and other key stakeholders, on two options for the future of council housing management in Leeds:

1.  Move to a single company model (e.g. a single ALMO) with a retained locality delivery structure and strengthened governance arrangements; or

2.  Move to all services being integrated within direct council management with a retained locality delivery structure and strengthened governance arrangements to include tenants and independent members.

In presenting the report the Executive Member for Planning, Neighbourhoods and Support Services, highlighted the outcome of the consultation undertaken on the options, with 61% of tenants stating a preference for council housing to be managed by Leeds City Council, compared 21% stating a preference for a single ALMO and 18% stating no preference. Taking this outcome into consideration, along with performance, financial and other issues, the review team were recommending implementation of Option 2.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the results of the consultation exercise be noted

b)  That the recommendation to progress with option 2, as outlined above, be supported

c)  To agree to receive a further paper at the July meeting detailing implementation and governance arrangements.

d)  That approval be given to the commencement of the winding up process for the existing companies as noted in section 10.5 of the submitted report

e)  That approval be given to the renaming of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate to ‘Environment and Housing’.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the matters included within this minute.

DATE OF PUBLICATION  21^ST JUNE 2013

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS  28^TH JUNE 2013 (5.00PM)

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00 noon on 1ST JULY 2013)