Issue - meetings

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Housing Services and to question the Executive Member thereon.  Notice has been received of the following questions:

(i)         From Cllr Livesley

“Would the Executive Member confirm the details of the progress made on Housing Modernisation over the last three years?”

(ii)        From Cllr Greenwood

“How was the substantial reduction in rent arrears achieved?”

(ii)        From Cllr Cuthbertson

“What has been the effect of the introduction of rent payments by swipe card?”

A written report was received from Councillor Sunderland, the Executive Member for Housing.  Councillor Sunderland then responded to a series of questions put by Members in accordance with Standing Orders.  Prior notice had been given of ten questions to the Executive Member under this item.  These were taken in the order set out on the list circulated around the Council Chamber, until the 10 minute time limit had elapsed, as follows:

(i)           From Councillor Livesley:

“Would the Executive Member confirm the details of the progress made on Housing Modernisation over the last three years?”

The Executive Member replied:

“The figures are as follows:

Since 2003 the following works have been completed.

·        1377 properties have received Tenants Choice

• 1696 homes have had upvc double glazing fitted
• 747  fire doors have been fitted
• 217 roof coverings have been replaced
• 164 properties have had new doors fitted
• 9 blocks of flats have been re-rendered
• 332 homes have received either new boilers or full heating systems.
• 196 home have received new fires.

There are also the programmes of works which have been completed under the York Pride works:

·        Replacement of door entry systems

• Repairs and maintenance of communal areas, concrete paths repairs/ground works.
• Improved communal and security lighting
• And 49 burglar alarms were fitted across the city. Estate managers liaised with Safer York Partnership to identify those at risk.

 (ii)       From Councillor Greenwood

“How was the substantial reduction in rent arrears achieved?”

The Executive Member replied:

“The Current Tenant arrears have reduced by £500K over the last two years. £300K in 2004/05 when the department exceeded the target by £100K and a further £195K in 2005/06 achieving the targets set.

There are a number of factors that have led to the achievement.

The creation of a specialist income management team – In September 2004 the role of the estate manager was changed in the City based team. The staff were split between Tenancy management function and Rent recovery function. This was initially seen as a pilot for a year.

Over recent years there had been a trend for the arrears to increase. The arrears rose from £783k in March 2003 to £1,047k in March 2004 and at September 2004 the debt had risen by nearly £100K to £1,131k. The reasons for this trend were various:

• Lack of focus on arrears;
• Implementation of the new integrated system;
• Staff resources v Customer priorities.

During the first six months of the pilot between September 2004 and March 2005 there was a dramatic improvement in performance. The trend had been reversed with the arrears standing at £784k. The overall reduction across the two teams during the period were as follows:

The specialist team saw a 29% reduction with £236.5k coming off the arrears. The remaining generic team saw a reduction of £125k, a 25% reduction.

The progress continued through the remainder of the pilot and in January 2006 a report was received on the success of the scheme the report came to EMAP and was approved by Lib  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8