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.

The Cabinet Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interest they might have in the business on the agenda.  She declared she had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2011.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the last Decision Session of the Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Services, held on 3 February 2011, be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Monday 27 June 2011.

Members of the public may register to speak on:-

• an item on the agenda;
• an issue within the Executive Member’s remit;
• an item that has been published on the Information Log since the last session. Information reports are listed at the end of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting.

This report provides background information regarding the regulatory requirements of the Tenant Service Authority; customer and staff consultation process, results and outcomes and informs the Cabinet Member of the development,  with customers, of 11  local offers / service standards for Housing Services.

RESOLVED:  That option 1 as set out in paragraph 24 of the report, to agree the attached service standards, be approved.

Reason: To ensure that the Council complies with its statutory responsibility to develop service standards with its customers.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that provided background information regarding the regulatory requirements of the Tenant Service Authority and informed her of the development, with customers, of 11 local offers/service standards for Housing Services for the following areas:

·          Resident involvement

·          Customer service

·          Day to day repairs

·          Gas servicing

·          Planned maintenance

·          Tenant’s Choice modernisation

·          Estate management

·          Anti-social behaviour

·          Rent collection

·          New homes

·          Value for money

Officers gave an update and confirmed that all social housing providers were required by the Tenant Services Authority to set out their service standards by 1^st April 2011. Officers confirmed the delay in presenting this report was due to the purdah period. Officers confirmed they had been involved in an extensive tenant and staff consultation process which commenced in November 2010. 

The Cabinet Member thanked officers for the report and commended them on the thorough consultation process.  She also noted the input from the Residents Association.  The Cabinet Member requested that officers monitor the satisfactory levels as she was hopeful that the results of this new process would allow these levels to rise.

RESOLVED: 

(i)                        That option 1 as set out in paragraph 24 of the report, to agree the attached service standards, be approved.

(ii)                       That further updates on the satisfactory levels be reported to the Cabinet Member.

REASON       To ensure that the Council complies with its statutory responsibility to develop service standards with its customers.

This report outlines the proposed new Private Sector Assistance policy to enable the authority to deliver an effective assistance programme within the current financial spending limits.

 RESOLVED:  That the proposed changes to the policy be noted and the revised private sector assistance policy for the financial year 2011/12 be approved

Reason:  So that the council can improve the health and safety of residents who want to remain independent in their own home. To encourage the private sector housing stock to be maintained, reducing the carbon emissions and maximising existing housing stock.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that outlined the proposed new Private Sector Assistance policy to enable the authority to deliver an effective assistance programme within the current financial spending limits.

The Cabinet Member commended officers on the report and suggested they inform all Councillors of the new policy. She also noted that the funding cuts had come from Central Government and requested that officers work with local partners to overcome some of these issues.

Officers confirmed that they would focus on the Private Sector Assistance policy at the Housing and Public Protection Induction day for councillors on
25 July 2011.

RESOLVED: That the proposed changes to the policy be noted and the revised private sector assistance policy for the financial year 2011/12 be approved

REASON:                  So that the council can improve the health and safety of residents who want to remain independent in their own home. To encourage the private sector housing stock to be maintained, reducing the carbon emissions and maximising existing housing stock.

The Cabinet Member is asked to agree the proposed amendment to the CYC tenancy agreements (introductory tenancy and secure tenancy).

RESOLVED:  That the changes to the tenancy agreement be approved.

Reason: It is a legal requirement that the tenancies granted to minors are held on trust by an independent Trustee until the minor reaches the age of 18.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that requested her to agree the proposed amendment to the CYC tenancy agreements (introductory tenancy and secure tenancy).

Officers gave an update and stated that there had been a recent change in legislation that required the Cabinet Member to agree the proposed amendments to ensure the tenancy agreements were legally binding.

In answer to the Cabinet Member’s questions, officers confirmed that not all Local Authorities had taken the lead on revising this policy and they would be discussing the updates at the next RSL (Registered Social Landlord) meeting.  The Cabinet Member congratulated officers for taking the lead on this important matter.

RESOLVED:  That the changes to the tenancy agreement be approved.

REASON:      It is a legal requirement that the tenancies granted to minors are held on trust by an independent Trustee until the minor reaches the age of 18.