Agenda item

To ask the Executive Member to consider a number of different incentives that could be used to reward loyal customers and encourage customers to abide by the terms and conditions of their tenancies.

 (i)        That Option 3 be approved and it be agreed that a pilot be set up to adopt the prize draw and termination of tenancy incentives for a periodof 12 months, subject to funding being approved, but not the loyalty card at this point in time;

(ii)        That the start of the prize draw in the current year be approved, given that the cost can be contained within existing budgets.

Members received a report which asked them to consider a number of different incentives that could be used to reward loyal customers and encourage customers to abide by the terms and conditions of their tenancies.

The report presented three options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – To introduce a number of incentive schemes on a pilot basis:

i)    The piloting of a quarterly prize draw scheme for tenants;

ii)   The introduction of a loyalty discount card for customers which they will be able to use at a number of national and local retail outlets in and around York;

iii)    The provision of a £25 reward to tenants terminating their tenancy for completions of each of the following tasks:

o       giving 4 weeks notice,

o       leaving the property in good condition,

o       allowing a pre-termination inspections and minor repairs to be carried out during the four weeks notice period and, where appropriate, allowing accompanied viewing while the property is still in occupation;

iv)  With regards to the scheme to encourage the homeless to repay their former tenant arrears based on them maintaining repayments over a 26 week period, the provision of an interim payment at 13 weeks to encourage them to maintain momentum;

·  Option 2 – To maintain the current position and not implement these incentive schemes;

·  Option 3 – To partially implement the scheme by introducing one or two of these initiatives.

Some Members expressed concern that the loyalty card and the prize draw would not provide an additional incentive for tenants to pay their rent, especially given the odds of winning the prize draw.  They also questioned how equity would be ensured between different tenants in different situations.  With regards to the loyalty card, Members highlighted the need to investigate other benefits that may be offered apart from the Countdown discount card, emphasised the difficulty of assessing savings that the pilot scheme achieved  given the crossover with the prize draw, and expressed concern that the Council would be perceived as endorsing the firms involved and about the risks associated with this.

It was proposed that Option 3 be approved, to pilot the prize draw and the termination of tenancy incentive schemes but not the loyalty card at this point in time.  Councillor Horton proposed and Councillor Fraser seconded an amendment to remove the prize draw from the schemes to be piloted.  On being put to the vote, this amendment was lost.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised:

(i)         That Option 3 be approved and it be agreed that a pilot be set up to adopt the prize draw and termination of tenancy incentives for a periodof 12 months, subject to funding being approved, but not the loyalty card at this point in time;

(ii)        That the start of the prize draw in the current year be approved, given that the cost can be contained within existing budgets.

[Councillor Horton requested that his vote against this motion be recorded.]

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

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

REASON:                  To provide the benefits set out in paragraphs 11-24 of the report, including increased rental income.