Agenda item

The Board agreed in June to invite the Chair of the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board, Councillor Barry Anderson, to attend today’s meeting.

The Chair of the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board is requested to provide any thoughts on future areas of work for the Tenant Scrutiny Board to look at in the coming municipal year.

The Chair introduced this item and Councillor Barry Anderson to the Board. Councillor Anderson opened by saying he was looking forward to developing a good working relationship between Tenant Scrutiny Board and the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board.  

Councillor Anderson explained that the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board will be looking at the effects of Grenfell and how this impacts on council housing in Leeds. There is currently scoping work on this and will hold discussion about this in September.

Councillor Anderson then gave the following ideas for subjects the Tenant Scrutiny Board could look at in the coming municipal year.

·  Empty Properties

·  Adaptations–the Board could look at when the property becomes void if these should be kept and the property remains adapted, or if should we remove them

·  Capital Programme – how this should be spent

·  Rent collection

·  Effectiveness of Annual Home Visit

·  Targets for repairs completion

·  Car parking on housing estates – feedback from the STAR survey

·  Effectiveness of consultation with tenants

·  Tree management – effectiveness of the bandings used to classify trees

·  Accessing the local housing office

Councillor Anderson noted that he also endorsed the previous suggestions from Councillor Coupar and Chief Officer Jill Wildman.

The Chair asked about future stock investment given the circumstances at Grenfell Tower. Chief Officer, Simon Costigan advised that an investment programme is already underway  It was noted that some retro-fitting sprinklers may also be required but Housing Leeds  would await government guidance on this and other matters.

SB raised an issue that in the past investment plans seemed fairer, were agreed and the programme kept to, whereas what seems to be happening now is that investment is being focused on what could be described as deprived estates and other estates are being ignored.  Councillor Anderson suggested that the Board could look at how the Council works out investment plans and if they should be looked at, but Councillor Anderson noted the government requirement to reduce rents has had an impact on resources available for investment.

The Chair spoke about possible mandatory direct debits for rent payment and if there is evidence that this has a positive impact on collection. Councillor Anderson explained that if tenants are required to pay by Direct Debit then they have the amount deducted before there is a temptation to spend this on other things. He noted that it is also cheaper for the council to collect and administer, with a further benefit of reducing the number of potential former tenancy arrears.

The Chair asked on Annual Home Visits that the Board are under the impression that the officer has about 15/20 minutes per visit to carry these out and the Chair had concerns about adding further questions into the visit would lengthen this which could have a further impact on the performance of these. Councillor Anderson didn’t disagree with the comments made by the Chair but noted that the time spent dealing with queries by the Housing Officer could save time later on with other teams which would have an overall positive effect. Councillor Anderson also noted that different questions could be asked depending on the responses or problems which the tenant may be having. Councillor Anderson also noted that other changes could potentially be made, for example on things which were not having a positive impact.