Agenda item

Housing Scrutiny Committee – 10 February 2005

The following was agreed at the above meeting. The full minute extract and an Officer response to each of the issues raised are attached as appendix A1, A2 and A3.

Issues referred from Council

RESOLVED:

(1)That Cabinet be recommended that for the year 2005/06 the figure of £3million be programmed for ‘HomeCome’ this being the anticipated figure of commuted sums and in the event this figure is exceeded, the surplus should be awarded to ‘HomeCome’,

(2)that Cabinet be informed that Housing Scrutiny Committee support the programme of Bathroom/Kitchen Modernisation but seek assurance that this will be targetted at the elderly in its initial stages,

(3)that the issue of play equipment in Housing be referred to the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture, and

(4)that Cabinet be informed of the Scrutiny Committee’s commitment to the new telephony system be endorsed for 2005/06 as part of the Housing Capital Programme.

Councillor Bhatti to respond.

Anti Social Behaviour Annual Report Incorporating Crime and Disorder Activities

RESOLVED:

(1)That the progress made in tackling anti social behaviour in 2004/05 be welcomed, and

(2)that the Cabinet be requested to acknowledge the progress made and to secure the funding to continue the work of the Leicester Anti Social Behaviour Unit from 2006/07 onwards.

Councillor Bhatti to respond.

Planning and Affordable Housing

RESOLVED:

                                    That Cabinet be recommended to support the lowering of the minimum site size threshold at which affordable housing should be sought to 15 dwellings/0.5 hectares

            Councillor Bhatti to respond.

Housing Scrutiny Committee – 10 March 2005

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting.

Issues referred from Council

-That Cabinet be recommended that for the year 2005/06 the figure of £3million be programmed for ‘HomeCome’ this being the anticipated figure of commuted sums and in the event this figure is exceeded, the surplus should be awarded to ‘HomeCome’,

- that Cabinet be informed that Housing Scrutiny Committee support the programme of Bathroom/Kitchen Modernisation but seek assurance that this will be targeted at the elderly in its initial stages,

- that the issue of play equipment in Housing be referred to the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture, and

- that Cabinet be informed of the Scrutiny Committee’s commitment that the new telephony system be endorsed for 2005/06 as part of the Housing Capital Programme.

Councillor Bhatti addressed each of the issues raised by the Scrutiny Committee. It was noted that in relation to ‘Homecome’, the overall resources allocated were above the anticipated commuted sum, and it was therefore impractical to commit further money. In relation to the kitchen and bathroom modernisation programme, it was noted that priority was given to the longest serving tenants without rent arrears or anti social behaviour problems, and this in effect benefited the elderly. The Cabinet were informed that there was a report included on the agenda which addressed the points raised regarding play equipment in Housing areas, and that the new telephony system was taking place as planned.

RESOLVED:

(1)               That as the anticipated figure for commuted sums was already over committed, a further amount could not be allocated to ‘HomeCome’,

(2)               that as the current policy regarding the programme for the bathroom and kitchen modernisation programme had the effect of benefiting the elderly, no change be made to the prioritisation process, and

(3)               that the work on the new telephony system taking place as planned be noted

Anti Social Behaviour Annual Report Incorporating Crime and Disorder Activities

- that the progress made in tackling anti social behaviour in 2004/05 be welcomed, and

- that the Cabinet be requested to acknowledge the progress made and to secure the funding to continue the work of the Leicester Anti Social Behaviour Unit from 2006/07 onwards.

RESOLVED:

(1)               that the Scrutiny Committee’s concerns be noted and the work and progress made by the Anti-social Behaviour Unit during 2004/05 be welcomed, and

(2)               that the lead Corporate Director for Crime and Disorder develop proposals for the ongoing funding of the Unit prior to next year’s budget proposals, with funding provided earlier than 2006/07, if possible.

Planning and Affordable Housing

- That Cabinet be recommended to support the lowering of the minimum site size threshold at which affordable housing should be sought to 15 dwellings/0.5 hectares

Councillor Bhatti informed Cabinet that the report would be going to the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee for their comments before comments were formally submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

RESOLVED:

                        That a further report be submitted when the final ODPM guidance was issued, to consider the implications for Leicester’s local planning policies which would also incorporate the views of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.