Agenda item

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report on the progress made by the two large scale voluntary transfer housing associations on the three remaining undertakings which remained following the end of the Delivery of Promises Programme in 2007.

The Manager, Housing Services explained that there were three indicators which the Council continued to monitor, Nomination Percentages, spend on Aids and Adaptations and the number of Right to Buy sales under the Clawback Agreement.  Of particular concern was the fact that Riversmead Housing Association had not met its target spend for Aids and Adaptations on their tenants’ homes.  They stated that this was a result of a re-structure and gave an assurance that this would be monitored much more closely in future by their Senior Management Team on a monthly basis.  An update was provided on the low level of Right to Buy sales which had been affected negatively by the Government’s cap on the discounts which could be applied.

In response to a query from Councillor M Pope regarding missed targets on aids and adaptions, the Manager, Housing Services explained the role of the County Council and previous difficulties that had been experienced in making Occupational Therapist referrals, which could have impacted on the aids and adaptations target, although there was an element of self-referral in relation to smaller adaptations.  Assurances had been given by Riversmead that no one had been refused an aid or adaptation.  Members were reminded that over the past seven years Riversmead HA had consistently overspent on its aids and adaptations target.

In response to a query from Councillor D Oldridge, the Manger, Housing Services explained that no penalties or claw backs had been imposed within the contract.

In response to a query from Councillor D Andrews regarding references to “centralised” and loss of “key personnel”, Members were advised that both Housing Associations had centralised a lot of their key functions and this had needed time to “bed” in

Councillor A McNeece referred to his difficulties in contacting Riversmead HA by telephone, adding that this might be the reason targets were not being met as people could not get through.  The Manager, Housing Services stated that this issue had been raised at a quarterly meeting with the Associations.  They had advised that more staff had been employed but that this had taken time to be effective.  She commented that both HAs were keen to promote “walk abouts” within their areas with local Councillors and they could provide dates when these were scheduled to take place. 

Councillor D Andrews expressed his frustration at trying to engage with the Housing Associations.  The Manager, Housing Services advised that quarterly meetings were held with both housing associations and that all Councillors were invited to attend (with the meetings chaired by Councillor Buckmaster).

In response to a query from Councillor M Pope regarding Right to Buy and the Government’s stance on capping and what the Council could do, the Manager, Housing Services explained that letter drops by the Government had taken place and both the Council and Housing Associations had advertised, but that the central issue was high property values in the District.

In response to a query from Councillor A McNeece, the Manager, Housing Services provided a definition of “Affordable Housing” adding that this was an issue addressed in the Council’s Local Plan.  The Chairman suggested that the Member might wish to discuss the issue further with the Officer, outside of the meeting.

In response to a query by Councillor D Andrews, the Manager, Housing Services explained that no “void” properties targets were included in the Stock Transfer Contract.  The Chairman advised that she and the Acting Chief Executive and Director would be meeting with Housing Associations shortly and would discuss performance and report back to Members in November 2015.

Members supported a suggestion that the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing be advised that both Housing Association targets should be monitored more closely and that communication links, allowing better access by the public be put in place.  This was supported.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the performance of both Riversmead and Circle South Anglia Housing Associations on the three remaining stock transfer undertakings for the year 2014/15 be noted; and

(B)   the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing be advised that targets should be monitored more closely and that communication links, allowing better access by the public, be put in place.