Issue - meetings

To consider a report which seeks agreement to write off a number of former tenants arrears.

 (i)        That Option 2 be approved and the former tenants arrears totalling £61,549.68 be written off, as detailed in the report;

(ii)        That, with regards to the write-offs proposed relating to tenancies ceased in 2006, procedures be re-examined to ensure that further checks are triggered.

Members received a report which sought agreement to write off a number of former tenants arrears.

The report presented two options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – to maintain the former tenants arrears on account;

·  Option 2 – to write the debts off, on the understanding that if necessary they can be reactivated at a later date.

With regards to the write-offs proposed relating to tenancies ceased in 2006, Members highlighted the need to re-examine procedures to ensure that further checks were triggered in case individuals could subsequently be traced and the debts recovered.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised:

(i)         That Option 2 be approved and the former tenants arrears totalling £61,549.68 be written off, as detailed in the report;

(ii)        That, with regards to the write-offs proposed relating to tenancies ceased in 2006, procedures be re-examined to ensure that further checks are triggered.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:(i) In line with the recommendations of the Audit Commission’s 2002 Housing Inspection Report, as detailed in paragraph 2 of the report, and given that the write offs could be contained within the provisions of the Housing Revenue Account, as detailed in the financial implications section of the report;

                        (ii) In case individuals could subsequently be traced and the debts recovered.