Issue - meetings

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Bevan, Cabinet Member for Housing Services.

The Committee received the briefing and advance questions from Councillor Bevan, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, and Members were invited to ask supplementary questions.

In response to the Committee’s concerns about the future of sheltered housing, Niall Bolger (Director of Urban Environment) explained that: sheltered housing covered a range of care from light-touch to more intensive extra care depending on individual needs; current housing was not necessarily fit for purpose and there was a gap in provision and a reconfiguration of the service would enable better provision. The Committee requested a briefing note on the reasoning behind plans to demolish four of the Borough’s sheltered housing units.

The Committee noted that the Older People’s Housing Strategy would look at meeting service users’ requirements without moving them out of their homes.

The Committee would be sent more information on the length of time households were housed in Temporary Accommodation. Phil Harris (Assistant Director of Strategic and Community Housing) informed members that households were given the choice on whether to accept a permanent dwelling or remain in Temporary Accommodation.

The Committee requested 3-monthly updates on Fire Risk Assessments in high rise blocks.

The Committee noted that a decision had not been made on whether to cap leaseholder charges for digital aerials (IRS system) but consultations with residents were taking place and results would be considered and further work on the strategy for introducing the digital aerials would be conducted.

The Committee emphasised the need to conduct maintenance work to Council properties at the same time as works on the Decent Homes programme.

RESOLVED

That the briefing be noted.