Agenda item

Councillor Carr, as Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, has been invited to attend for this item to outline his priorities for the year.

Copies of a report from the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods had been circulated.  He informed Members of his priorities for the year, which focussed on increasing the level of affordable housing and reducing levels of anti-social behaviour.

Members questioned the Executive Member on issues detailed within his report. 

The Executive Member was asked about the allocation of funding for adaptations to homes.  He explained that the resources were deployed according to demand from customers.

Clarification was sought as to the impact that installing bars on benches had had on the homeless.  Members were informed that this measure had been implemented as a mobility aid for older people waiting at the bus stops.  It did, however, deter rough sleepers from using the benches as a sleeping platform although it was too early to ascertain data on this issue.  Accommodation was available for rough sleepers although it was acknowledged that some people preferred not to use these facilities.

The Executive Member was asked about priorities in respect of energy efficiencies.  He gave details of the work that was being carried out in terms of high insulation, double glazing and condensing boilers.

Members asked about the initiatives to reduce fuel poverty such as Collective Switch and the work that was taking place to encourage people to downsize to free up family homes for other tenants.  They queried whether these mitigated the impact of welfare reforms.  The Executive Member stated that the Council was able to provide smaller homes where tenants asked to downsize, for example nine of the properties at the Beckfield Lane scheme were allocated to tenants who were downsizing. 

The Executive Member was asked about the licensing of HMOs and the YorProperty accreditation scheme for private rented accommodation.  Members were informed that there were 290 landlords registered but that some of these owned more than one property.  Part of the process included inspection of the properties as well as ensuring that landlords were aware of their legal responsibilities.

At the request of Members, the Executive Member outlined the provision that was in place to support victims of domestic abuse. Details were also given of the agencies and organisations with which the Council worked in supporting the homeless, including working with the Salvation Army.

The Executive Member was asked about proposed cuts in respect of North Yorkshire Policing.  Some concerns were also raised regarding neighbourhood policing in areas other than the city centre.  The Executive Member stated that although police spending had been reduced so had recorded crime.  If there were concerns with community policing in particular areas of the city this was an issue that could be raised with North Yorkshire Police.  He believed that the PCSOs were carrying out a useful role. 

Members requested that the Executive Member gave consideration to the following issues:

·        Young People coming out of care were being allocated properties with meter keys – this was a very expensive means of paying for fuel and had financial implications for them.

·        Whether it would be possible for university accommodation to be utilised for emergency accommodation outside of term time.

The Executive Member was thanked for his report and his attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:  That the report of the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on his priorities.