Minutes of the Repairs Working Group

HOUSING MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10th JULY 2013 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER Present George Potter (GP),Val Potter (VP), Sheila Sharpe (SS), Denise Collins (DC), Pam McGowan (PMcGowan), Dorothy McConnell (DM), Stan McConnell (SM), Rob Young (RY), Kath Whittaker (KW), Roger Ludgate (RL), Angela Pearce (AP), Pat McGinty (PMcGinty), Andrew Wallace – Senior Housing Officer (AW), Tom Collier – Administration Assistant (TC).

Apologies Councillor Bayliss & Councillor Howe

Lead/ 1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING Action

All attendees were in agreement that the minutes of the last meeting were an accurate representation of what was discussed at the meeting.

2. MATTERS ARISING

AW confirmed to attendees that he still intended to hold a meeting AW specifically to discuss the Under Occupation Charge.

3. QUARTERLY ASB STATISTICS:

AW presented the Anti-Social Behaviour Statistics for quarter one. AW explained how there were thirty cases of ASB in the first quarter. Of which, seven were in April 2013, fourteen in May 2013 and nine in June 2013. AW went onto inform attendees that twenty- three ASB cases were closed during quarter one and all of them had been resolved.

VP asked at what stage mediation is introduced. AW explained that mediation is something we may look to introduce for a number of reasons. For example, the complainant may lose faith in the Housing Department to successfully resolve the complaint. AW added that in any case, each party must agree to mediation.

VP asked who the Council used for mediation. AW advised that the Council use a company called Mansfield Mediation. They are trained in conflict mediation. AW added that they are also able to offer community mediation

4. APPOINTMENT OF PANEL FOR DECORATING ALLOWANCE TENDER:

AW advised attendees that the Decorating Allowance tender had gone live and would run for two weeks.

AW asked for two volunteers to be part of a panel who would determine the successful tender. Several attendees expressed an interest in being part of the panel so it was decided that the panel members would be drawn at random.

The Housing Management Working Group attendees selected for the Decorating Allowance Tender panel were Sheila Sharpe and Denise Collins.

5. DOWNSIZING INCENTIVE SCHEME:

AW explained how in the first year of the Downsizing Incentive Scheme being implemented, not many people were eligible for it and so only £9,000 of the £75,000 budget was spent. AW went onto inform attendees that it had been decided that the criteria would be reviewed, with a view to making it available to more people.

AW separated the attendees into small groups and handed out a sheet with the current criteria. Attendees were asked to review the criteria and write down any suggested amendments.

The Working Group rejoined to share their proposals. AW presented each groups ideas on the board, these included:

“Open to General Needs properties”

“Keep it limited to Secure Tenants only”

“Instead of requiring the rent account to be clear, allow up to one month’s arrears”

“Take peoples circumstances into consideration when reviewing the condition of the property”

“Not limit it to the minimum room number – have some flexibility on peoples circumstances” 6. FORWARD PLANNING:

SS asked if we could continue to review ASB statistics. AW confirmed that ASB statistics will be reviewed with the HMWG each quarter.

7. AOB:

No other business was discussed.