Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 2 June 2008.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2June 2008 be   approved and signed by the Chair and Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is 5.00 pm on Friday 11 July.

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

This report updates the Executive Member and Advisory Panel on the number of long term empty homes in York and of the work undertaken to bring properties back into use and briefs Members on the use of Empty Property Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO’s), including the resources implications in using these measures. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to approve:

Option One of this report, to maintain the current level of empty homes work and the resources attached to it.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      With the low level of empty homes within the city the current approach provides value for money.

Members considered a report that updated them on the number of long term empty homes in York and of the work undertaken to bring properties back into use and briefed Members on the use of Empty Property Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO’s), including the resources implications in using these measures.

Officers gave a verbal update and informed Members that the key messages from the survey were that:

• 761 homes were identified as being empty for more than six months

229 (30.1%) of the properties were occupied;

181 (23.8%) were actively being marketed for sale or for rent; and

20 (2.6%) properties were closed /brick up or in a derelict state.

            Of the 453 empty properties:

• Each dwelling was visited at least once and information about the property was recorded using a standard survey form to ensure a consistent approach to recording the findings.

• When the 453 empty properties were assessed against the current eligibility criteria for empty homes grants, 214 properties were identified as being eligible.

Members had a detailed discussion and raised a number of issues and in answer to some of Members’ questions, Officers confirmed that:

• The recovery of the capital costs could not be extended beyond seven years as the law currently states but could be recovered at a later date through a charge on the property.

• The area’s currently covered in the City could be expanded following government guidelines.

• 13 properties had not been located and the addresses would be circulated to the relevant Ward Councillors to locate them. 

• They would not be revisiting the 17 flats they could not gain access to due to resource implications.

• They had liaised with Norwich and Lewisham Councils.

Some Members suggested Officers join the EDMO Homes Agency Group and it was agreed they would register on the online discussion group.

Members considered and had a detailed discussion on the three options available:

• Option One - To maintain the current level of empty homes work and the resources attached to it.

·        Option Two- Increase the level of dedicated resources to empty homes through the employment of an Empty Property Officer with responsibility to lead on all of the initiatives and raise the profile of empty homes work in the city.

• Option Three - Increase the level of resources to empty homes work through the Employment of a temporary officer on a fixed term, (as and when required) to release other staff within the team to take on the more proactive role in pursuing an EDMO as and when the need arises.

Members considered the financial implications of each option and applying for a growth bid was suggested. Some Members commented that the current resources had brought 24 homes back into use with no additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

This report informs Members of the number of complaints, compliments, comments and requests made about social care services between April 2007 and March 2008 and provides information about the lessons learnt as a result of complaints received and the service improvements made.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note and accept the information in this report and the annual social care complaints and representations report 2007/08.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To comply with the council’s responsibilities to provide a publicly available report on complaints relating to its social care services.

Members considered a report that informed them of the number of complaints, compliments, comments and requests made about social care services between April 2007 and March 2008 and provided information about the lessons learnt as a result of complaints received and the service improvements made.

Members noted that the complaints received last year had been reduced and that no stage three complaints took place.  Members thanked officers and commended them on this result.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note and accept the information in this report and the annual social care complaints and representations report 2007/08.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To comply with the council’s responsibilities to provide a publicly available report on complaints relating to its social care services.