Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests.

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests.

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests she may have in the business on the agenda.  She confirmed she had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 18 July  and 30 July 2013.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last two decision sessions held on 18^th and 30^th July 2013 be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Councillor Jeffries had registered to speak on agenda item 4, Review of the Service Charges to Sheltered and Sheltered with Extra Care Housing. She queried why the report referred to consultation having being carried out, yet she was aware of residents in Sheltered Housing who had not been consulted.

This report asks the Cabinet Member to consider proposals to amend the way the service charges to the sheltered and sheltered with extra care housing are calculated.

Resolved:           That the Cabinet Member:

                                                     i.        Approved Option 3 to re-structure the service charge in order to accurately reflect the service provided.

                                                    ii.        Approved charging co-habitants £3 per week where both parties are in receipt of the service. This charge will be made directly by the Warden Call service.

Reason:              To ensure an equitable approach to service delivery regardless of tenure and that the service moves to a full cost recovery model to minimise the impact of the Housing Revenue Account and ensure the service charge is an accurate representation of the service provided.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which outlined proposals to amend the way service charges to the sheltered and sheltered with extra care housing are calculated.

In response to the comments made by Councillor Jeffries, Officers confirmed that sheltered housing residents had not been specifically consulted as the changes had been made as part of an overall review of the Warden Call scheme and the change would be advised to customers in the same way as a rent increase.

The Cabinet Member commented that she would expect Service Managers to be liaising with customers and welcomed the suggestion of house meetings or individual meetings to discuss the changes.

Officers confirmed they would feedback any issues to the Cabinet Member.

Resolved:           That the Cabinet Member:

                                                     i.        Approved Option 3 to re-structure the service charge in order to accurately reflect the service provided.

                                                    ii.        Approved charging co-habitants £3 per week where both parties are in receipt of the service. This charge will be made directly by the Warden Call service.

Reason:              To ensure an equitable approach to service delivery regardless of tenure and that the service moves to a full cost recovery model to minimise the impact of the Housing Revenue Account and ensure the service charge is an accurate representation of the service provided.