Agenda and minutes

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

   No exempt items have been identified.

No exempt items had been identified.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

The Tenant Scrutiny Board received additional information in relation to the following areas:

·  Housing Revenue Account

·  Implementation of the review of Housing Services

·  Tenant Engagement.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Sandra Bland, Allan Gibson, John Gittos, Kevin Sharp, Barry Stanley, Maddie Ullah and Damien Walsh.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2014.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2014 be approved as a correct record.

The following matters arising were noted:

·  Clarification provided regarding reimbursement of expenses. 

·  Confirmation that all procedural amendments raised at the April 2014 meeting had been made.

·  A schedule of proposed meeting dates for 2014/15 municipal year was circulated at the meeting.

·  An update regarding the Scrutiny Lounge event in Barnsley on 10 June 2014.  Board Members were advised to contact Tenant Central to confirm their attendance.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on potential sources of work for the Tenant Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided information and guidance on potential sources of work for the Tenant Scrutiny Board.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Tim Young, Independent consultant and trainer

-  Mandy Sawyer, Head of Neighbourhood Services, Housing Leeds.

The following information was appended to the report:

·  Housing Support – Performance Framework (March 2014)

·  Performance information presented to Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) (March 2014)

·  A list of housing related topics considered by Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) over the past two years

·  Previous Tenant Scrutiny Recommendations and Actions 2012-2014

·  A series of potential items drawn up by the Chair for consideration.

The Chair introduced Tim Young, Independent trainer and consultant to facilitate the Tenant Scrutiny Board’s discussion on potential sources of work.

The following potential work areas were discussed:

Tenancy Visits: why have them, what do we do with the information?

·  On-going commitment to Annual Tenancy Visits as part of arrangements established through Council’s Executive Board.

·  Potential development and influencing role for Tenant Scrutiny Board.

Customer satisfaction / Value for Money of Housing Advisory Panel spend

·  Interim budget process in place.  Longer term approval process being developed.

·  Review approval process once new arrangements had been established.

Arrears – Developing a process for rent arrears collection

·  Await outcome of report to Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration).

Welfare changes impacts

·  Significant work already undertaken by Welfare Reform Operations Group.

Local Letting of new homes impact

·  Await outcome of report to Housing Advisory Board.

Impact of the capital programme on stock condition and customer satisfaction

·  Role for Tenant Scrutiny Board to be involved in review of Investment Strategy.

·  More detailed performance information required in relation to repairs.

Repairs performance and customer experience

·  Monitor outcomes of work already undertaken by tenant scrutiny in relation to repairs, measuring satisfaction and tenant involvement.

Developing / reviewing the Tenure Policy

·  Report to Executive Board to be forwarded to all Members of Tenant Scrutiny Board.

Delivery of older people’s housing solutions

·  Await outcome of report to Housing Advisory Board.

·  Possible item for pre-decision scrutiny.

Long-term solutions for high rise living

·  Significant work already being undertaken by Leeds High Rise Group.

Effective housing for people with disabilities – adapt or move?  Impact on overall stock and housing options

·  Further information requested about how the system works.

Tenant Involvement Structure and Recruitment

·  Await outcome of report to Housing Advisory Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the Board’s work schedule be updated to reflect the key areas of work discussed during today’s meeting for subsequent approval by the Tenant Scrutiny Board.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development requesting members of the Board to consider what information they feel they need to effectively scrutinise Housing Services and the preferred format in which to receive this.

This item was deferred to the July meeting.

To be confirmed.

The following meeting dates were agreed for the 2014/15 municipal year:

·  Wednesday, 23 July 2014

·  Wednesday, 24 September 2014

·  Thursday, 16 October 2014

·  Thursday, 13 November 2014

·  Thursday, 18 December 2014

·  Wednesday, 21 January 2015

·  Wednesday, 18 February 2015

·  Thursday, 19 March 2015

·  Wednesday, 15 April 2015

(All meetings to take place at Leeds Civic Hall, Committee Rooms 6 & 7 at 1.30pm)

(The meeting concluded at 1.00pm)