Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were receive by Cllr Aqbany.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

The Chair asked members of the commission to declare any interests for which there were none. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Commission held on 28 November have been circulated, and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Chair highlighted that the minutes for the meeting on 28 November 2023 were included within the papers and asked membThe Chair highlighted that the minutes for the meeting on 28 November 2023 were included within the papers and asked members for comments.

AGREED:

·       It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2023 were a true and accurate record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions received in accordance with Council procedures.

The Monitoring Officer noted that none had been received.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations or statements of case received in accordance with Council procedures.

Martin Gage to ask:

Whilst appreciating the financial problems that Leicester City Council faces, does the City Council appreciate that scrapping relatively small grants to voluntary and community groups like the Centre Project, with a track record of preventing homelessness and isolation across the city, is only increasing problems for themselves further down the line?  Housing is such a big issue for the Council that reducing the prevention services seems like a false economy.

The Chair noted she had received a copy of the letter sent to the Deputy City Mayor for Housing and Neighbourhoods from the Centre Project and invited the questioner to ask his question.

The Chair of Trustees of the Centre Project, Martin Gage, asked:

Whilst appreciating the financial problems that Leicester City Council faces, does the City Council appreciate that scrapping relatively small grants to voluntary and community groups like the Centre Project, with a track record of preventing homelessness and isolation across the city, is only increasing problems for themselves further down the line? Housing is such a big issue for the Council that reducing the prevention services seems like a false economy.

The Director of Housing responded to the question in which it was noted that:

·       The good work and positive impact the Centre Project have in supporting the community was recognised.

·       Grant funding is provided to the Centre Project for day centre activities where a direct link to preventing homelessness is not easily identifiable. The authority provides similar activities such as warm spaces and other organisations who offer day centre support do not receive housing funding which is inequitable.

·       Discussions between the housing division and Centre Project have been ongoing for several months to mitigate the loss of the grant funding and identify alternative funding that supports the good work of the organisation.

·       The authority has offered the Centre Project the opportunity to operate from the Dawn Centre to work alongside other organisations to tackle homelessness and whilst this has been considered the Centre Project, this is not being pursued given their wider work.

In response to Members comments and questions it was noted that:

·       The Centre Project receive a £24,500 grant fund from homelessness services from the general fund. The proposal is to withdraw the grant funding at the end of the current financial year along with other efficiency savings due to the significant financial pressures on the budget which will be scrutinised by OSC before Council.

·       The Centre Project receive other sources of funding and officers are working with the organisation to identify appropriate funding for the great work in preventing social isolation and signposting residents to relevant services.

The Chair invited the questioner to respond in which it was noted that:

·       The Centre Project has received £24,500 over the last 10years which they are grateful of, although it has not increased with inflation.

·       The withdrawal of funding will not threaten the existence of the Centre Project as it does receive funding from elsewhere although they may be year reduction of services and staffing to support vulnerable people.

·       The Centre Project cannot relocate to the Dawn Centre due to its holistic approach, including provision of a food bank, tea and coffee and listening ear to prevent people from despair which may lead to homelessness.

·       Some individuals are banned from organisations that offer homeless services and referrals can be made to the Centre Project.

The Chair highlighted that she had previously visited the Centre Project to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

It was noted that the Chair had no announcements to make.

The Director of Housing submits a report providing an update to Members of the ‘headline’ Housing Register and Lettings data, relating to Leicester City Council’s Housing Register for Q1 and Q2 2023/24 .

The Director of Housing introduced the item, noting that an update is provided every quarter to the commission and all members regarding the current position of the housing register, the number of lets and wait times incurred. It was highlighted that the overall position continues to worsen, and additional pressures are expected given homelessness challenges in the city.

The Head of Service presented the report, and it was noted that:

·       The number of applications on the housing register has increased by 7% since the previous update. The number of lets and new applicants to the register usually balances, the number of lets has increased but new applicants has also increased due to the housing crisis.

·       Applicants across all bands have grown with the increase in applicants and band 1 has grown by 2%. The primary reason for joining the register has not changed with overcrowding and homelessness the main reasons.

·       Demand for type and size of property has not changed with houses the higher demand to flats or maisonettes. 2bedroom properties is demanded most followed closely by 3bedroom properties. The highest demand is for the east of the city, including Belgrave, North Evington, Wycliffe and Stoneygate but Troon and Eyres Monsell have the highest need with applicants waiting in band 1.

·       Overall lettings increased by 5% over the last six months but 53 additional nominations to housing associations. The number of council owned available stock fell by 28.

·       The housing division continue to utilise the acquisitions programme to increase available housing stock in addition to strengthening available private rented sector schemes for alternative solutions. The division support residents to bridge the gap to make private rented sector housing affordable whilst retaining their banding priority if active.

·       Waiting times for band 1 increased by 4months for applicants seeking 2 or 3-bedroom properties but waiting times reduced or remained the same for bungalows and 1-bedroom properties. On average 1-bedroom property waits is between 3-6 months and families may be waiting between 12-18month. Band 2 waiting times increased for family accommodation but reduced for 1-bedroom properties and bungalows.

·       Wait times for adapted houses reduced due to an increase of supply of fully wheelchair accessible properties and a proactive approach with housing working closely with occupational therapists to assess individual needs. The adapt-to-let initiative enables adaptable properties to be let and adapted to meet the tenants needs.

·       27% of lettings over the 6month period were direct allocation which is consistent with previous reports.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       Demand for wheelchair adapted housing has been higher than supply for some time which instigated the adapt to let work programme that enables adaptable properties to be offered to applicants on the housing register and adapted to meet the needs. It was agreed that information would be shared with the commission relating to wheelchair adapted property data.

·       Private rented schemes enable the service to work with landlords and perspective tenants to provide alternative housing solutions to residents on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

The Director of Housing submits a report detailing the support offered and provided by Leicester City Council housing services to its tenants, to help sustain and maintain their tenancies.

The Director of Housing introduced the item, highlighting the role of the Housing Revenue Account to fund services that provide support to tenants who live in council properties to enjoy their lives.

The Head of Service presented the report, and it was noted that:

·       There are around nineteen thousand council tenancies in the city and a key responsibility as a social landlord is to provide support to tenants and prevent homelessness where possible as set out in a national tenancy standard which is monitored by the ombudsman and housing regulator.

·       More residents are being identified with complex needs although not all council tenants require the support from services as they may be able to manage independently or have a support network. This enables services to be targeted to tenants.

·       Support is provided to tenants by officers from various teams, including homelessness, tenancy management, support for tenants and residents (STAR), and income management.

·       A homelessness assessment will be carried out for tenants who present as homeless or at risk of homeless and enable officers to identify whether an individual may require support. Risk assessments and sensitive information can be considered to establish whether an individual may need a direct let to ensure suitable accommodation to settle and sustain their tenancy and meet their needs.

·       The housing service undertake visits within six weeks of a tenant moving into a property and can identify whether tenancy support is required. Referrals for support can also be made by officers throughout the tenancy, such as when visiting a property to complete a repair. Other organisations such as the police or health services may identify needs. Housing officers usually provide initial support and oversee the case to identify the appropriate support services are provided to the tenant, although not all tenants are willing to receive support and there may be pressures in services that delay support.

·       Welfare visits are undertaken by housing officers, 1,500 visits were conducted between April 2022-23. Tenants identified to require support will be supported by STAR to ensure individuals are able to build confidence in order to sustain their tenancy and prevent homelessness. Between April 2022-23, over one thousand referrals were received and STAR supported 987 cases.

·       STAR AMAL support refugees, including Syrian, Afghan and Ukrainian individuals.

·       Funding has been secured for a drug and alcohol team and trainer accommodation will be provided to support individuals to build life skills and confidence to sustain their own tenancy. A consistent supported housing offer is also being developed with the appointment of a supported housing manager.

·       The income management team includes eight rent advisors to support vulnerable tenants. Last year the team received 938 referrals – much higher than previously which correlated to the cost-of-living crisis. The team proactively work with tenants to collect rent through repayment plans and identify eligible benefits to maximise income for tenants. Rent arrears last year reduced by £206k.

The Commission endorsed the good work of tenancy support service. In response to questions and comments from Members, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Director of Housing submits a report detailing the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2024/25.

The Director of Housing presented the report in which it was noted that:

·       The Housing Revenue Account Budget is associated to the income generated through rent and service charges for around nineteen thousand council homes in the city. It is a legal requirement that the income generated be ringfenced to be spent on services for council property tenants and that the account must balance.

·       Around £100m is generated through rent and service charges each year but a £10m budget pressure exists relating to pay inflation, running costs, loss of income through the Right to Buy scheme and other pressures as outlined in the report.

·       To ensure the HRA budget can balance in 2024/25 it is proposed that core rent be increased to its maximum CPI+1% and the capital programme be suppressed.

·       The proposed rent increase equates to 7.7% which on average will be a £6.58 per week higher and an overall average rent of £85.48 which remains the lowest rent in the city and surrounding area. A lower percentage increase in core rent would create a shortfall and consequently prevent programmes of work and investment to be reduced to balance the budget. Other proposed increases to rent include garage rent by 7.7%, hostel and service charges by 5%, and Gipsy and Traveller plot rent by 5%.

·       A reduction to charges for tenants and leaseholders is proposed for waylighting by 10% due to a fall in electricity costs. District heating charges are also proposed to be reduced given forecasted lower gas costs – for properties with metres, fixed costs will reduce by 24% and variable costs by 29%. The annual charge to properties supplied by the district heating system without a metre will also see an average reduction of 9.4%.

·       The proposed capital programme for 2024/25 is £25.86m, including £15m for investing in new council homes and £10.86 to improve housing stock. Budgets will be increased for capital programmes such as kitchen and bathrooms, boiler replacements, re-wiring properties, re-roofing, soffit and facias as well as disabled adaptations.

·       A £0.9m unallocated reserve is forecasted but due to ongoing pressures it is proposed not to utilise it for the 2024/25 budget.

·       The tenants and leaseholders forum have been consulted on the proposals who acknowledged them to be fair given the financial pressures and to ensure the capital investment and delivery of services can be maintained. 

·       Further discussions will be held with members at the Executive and Overview Select committee before Full Council.

The Commission expressed their concerns with the proposed increased rent charges to tenants but acknowledged the difficult financial situation to ensure the budget can balance whilst providing services and investing in housing stock.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       Around 60% of council tenants receive housing benefits that will increase in line with the proposed rent charges. The income management team proactively work with tenants to maximise income and identify sustainable and affordable repayment plans if they find themselves in financial difficulty. Receipt of rental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Members of the Commission will be asked to consider the work programme and make suggestions for additional items as it considers necessary.

The Chair encouraged Members to share items of interest for consideration on the work programme.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.46.