Agenda item

To consider a report providing an overview of the outcome of the council house Stock Condition Survey and how the information is being utilised to influence investment plans in the coming five years, as well as analysis of performance of the Asset Management function against agreed targets.

The committee considered a report providing an overview of the outcome of the council house Stock Condition Survey and how the information is being utilised to influence investment plans in the coming five years, as well as analysis of performance of the Asset Management function against agreed targets.

Officers provided an overview, and in response to members’ questions it was noted that:

·       Previous gaps in stock condition data had meant the service had tended to be reactive, while it was acknowledged that in recent years communication with tenants could have been stronger. Using the new more comprehensive stock condition data it was intended that by Christmas each year, work for the financial year ahead would be planned and communication with tenants would take place in advance.

·       Investment in component renewal over each five-year cycle needed to be smoothed out, which would involve bringing some investment forward and ‘sweating’ certain assets such as roofing or combi boilers where necessary.

·       The kitchen and bathroom programme for the next year would focus on properties in Dringhouses where replacements had previously been promised, and those properties where previous tenants had opted not to take up the opportunity of replacement when offered.

·       It was expected that retrofit work at Alex Lyon House and Honeysuckle House would be delivered within the grant funding agreement received. The contract for this work would be signed soon and there would be opportunities for residents and ward councillors to engage with the contractor, while work was underway to ensure residents’ needs and expectations were fully understood.

·       With reference to additional work identified during the stock condition survey, surveyors were not encouraged to make any promises to tenants, but catch-up repairs and HHSRS (Housing health and safety rating system) hazards were referred directly to Building Services. Although some issues were more complex the vast majority had now been resolved.

·       There was significant interest whenever apprenticeships in the service were advertised, and a new apprentice plan to cover the need for fully trained staff over the coming years was being developed. Recruitment and retention remained a challenge, and officers would explore options around requiring those trained by the council to commit for a period after qualification.

·       It was also noted that taking on an apprenticeship could be a financial challenge, including for care leavers and armed forces veterans. Support was available for veterans applying for jobs at the Council through the Armed Forces Covenant, and officers would consider options to work with course providers.  

·       In relation to the performance measures at paragraph 24 in the report, it was noted that the proportion of properties with valid Electrical Inspection Certificate was lower than other measures largely due to a change in the law which required inspections every five years; previously this had been every ten years; there was a need to catch up, although risks were prioritised. With reference to the 28-day target to re-let a property, this was achievable and a number of measures were being used to make the process faster and more efficient.

·       A range of options were being explored to improve the proportion of repairs completed on a first visit, including multi-trade staff and better equipped vans. The Executive Member noted that while work was ongoing, positive progress had been made, and that ways of bringing more comprehensive performance data to scrutiny in future were being considered. He also emphasised the importance of customer service and encouraged Members and council tenants to report any issues which had not been resolved to the service.

·       With reference to the cost benefit of sustainability measures, it was noted that more funding would be needed over the coming years, while at present the picture was mixed – solar panels came with only a small maintenance cost while heat pumps were currently much more expensive than combi boilers, although this could change in future.

·       The importance of sustainable procurement was emphasised, and it was noted that the Council had previously been involved with the sustainable procurement network ICLEI. It was confirmed that this remained an important consideration in the context of the impact of inflation on the cost of building materials, and that officers would consider how information in this area could best be captured for future reports.

Resolved:

                i.                    To note:

a)      The outcome of the stock condition survey;

b)      Existing performance against targets; and

c)       The proposed investment plan.

Reason:     To keep the committee updated.