Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Joshi.

The Chair thanked the Director of Housing and all officers who had prepared reports, presented them at meetings and answered questions.

The Chair said there were issues that continued to concern the Commission Members, including the erosion of badly-needed affordable social rented housing in a low-wage economy in Leicester. He added there were worries about the impact of Universal Credit. Other issues included repairs and maintenance management and the need to modernise IT systems to make the work more effective and efficient. Also there remained concern over voids and the time taken to get them back into occupation.

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

Members were asked to declare any interests they might have in the business to be discussed.

Members stated their declarations were included on each Councillor’s Register of Interests and there were no further declarations to be made.

The minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Commission held on 7 January 2019 have been circulated, and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

That the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 7 January 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions 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.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations or statements of case had been received.

The Director of Housing submits a report to inform Members of the Scrutiny Commission of progress over the third quarter from 1^st October 2018 to 30^th December 2018. Members are asked to note the report.

The Director of Housing submitted a report on progress over the third quarter from 1^st October 2018 to 30^th December 2018. Scrutiny Commission Members were asked to note the report.

Zenab Valli, Income Collection Manager, presented the report, and the following points were made and Members’ questions answered:

·         Rent collection was at 99.69% in line with the year-end target.

·         The number of cases owing seven weeks rent or more was higher by 23% compared to the third quarter for 2017/18.

·         The transfer to Universal Credit (UC) could cause an initial spike in rent arrears due to the 1,270 tenants who had made new claims, 75% of whom had pre-existing rent arrears at an average of £209. It was too early to say if it would be a long-term issue. The team were working with local Job Centre Plus staff to help mitigate the risk of UC on rent arrears. The team have good working relationships with the DWP Service Centre and they were granted the Trusted Partner status which means IMT can verify Housing costs quickly to prevent delays and also allows us to request APA’s and deductions from benefits.

·         Four Rent Management Advisors had been recruited to support vulnerable tenants, or those with complex needs claiming UC, during which time they received 544 referrals for period June up to Dec 2018 most of which have been short-term and generalist advice. Around 98 council tenants required more long-term support which the Officers are providing. RMA’s were supporting tenants with the setup of email accounts, Clockwise Rent payment Accounts and supporting with the UC new claim process and management of claims.

·         The team continued to co-locate from the local Job Centre Plus to upskill JCP staff with housing knowledge and also to meet tenants attending their claimant commitment interviews to help mitigate risks of rent arrears. For the period June to Dec 2018 a total of 613 UC Claimants were seen and 44% of those were council tenants. The pilot had been under review and monitored for its effectiveness and to help decide on its longevity.

·         With regards to one application being refused to Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) due to regulations, non-dependent deductions relate to an adult living in the household, for example, over 18 in employment, in college or university, or on benefit themselves. There were certain criteria that could result in the deduction of benefit payment. If a non-dependent were a student there would not generally be a charge, but if working it would be dependent on the hours worked and/or wage, and there could be a deduction in HB payment. In exceptional circumstances, DHP could be considered to cover Non-Dep Deduction but HB regulations do not normally cover these types of deductions.

·         The council could request payment to a landlord directly, for example, if a tenant satisfied any of the DWP’s Tier 1 or 2 criteria’s which listed things like mental health, previous homelessness, previous evictions. Officers would assess if the tenant satisfies any of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The Director of Housing submits a report which seeks feedback from the Housing Scrutiny Commission on the proposals and operational changes outlined in the report.

The Director of Housing submitted a report and presentation which sought feedback from the Commission on the proposals and operational changes outlined in the report.

Caroline Carpendale, Head of Service, delivered the presentation included in the report, and highlighted the following points:

·         The Housing Allocations Policy framed the priorities around local need and was regularly reviewed to ensure it remained fit for purpose around those in housing need across the city.

·         There were 6,178 households on the Register. Overcrowding was the main reason households joined the register.

·         The last major review of the Housing Allocations Policy was undertaken in June 2016.

The proposed review and summary of proposals highlighted in the report were:

·         Giving increased priority to people who were owed a homeless duty (including those at risk of losing their home in the near future, and those already homeless).

·         Giving increased priority to those affected by the most severe levels of overcrowding.

·         A review of households needing wheelchair accessible accommodation and initiatives to assist them to resolve their needs.

·         A review of all applications with Band 1 priorities.

·         A change to the Access, Health, Care & Support criteria to specifically include ill mental health as a result of service in the Armed Forces, and a relaxation of the local connection criteria for divorced or separated spouses or civil partners of Service personnel.

·         Changing local connection rules to exempt people who were victims of domestic abuse, fleering from another local authority area.

The Chair welcomed the report and acknowledged the need to build more social housing. He also welcomed the review on overcrowding.

In response to Commission Members’ questions, the following information was given and noted:

·         Members queried the need to move those overcrowded from Band 2 to Band 1, as the same number of people would be chasing housing. It was answered that the policy reflected those in the greatest housing need, for example, those families living in flats, and would reduce the average length of time that those in overcrowded accommodation would have to wait.

·         Priority for veterans was placed in Band 2, but for those with medical need would be placed in Band 1 – there would be additional criteria for veterans. It was acknowledged that it could take 10-15 years for PTSD to manifest, and that veterans would be assessed for an award in Band 1 irrespective of time.

·         It was noted that Housing Associations were registered providers who have nomination agreements with the Council through which they offered a percentage of vacant stock to let through Leicester Home Choice. Typically this was 50% to 75% of their vacant stock as Housing Associations also had direct waiting lists. The agreements were regularly reviewed. Housing Associations could request a reduction in their nomination requirements but the Council could challenge the request. Officers endeavoured to meet with registered providers on a regular basis. The Chair requested a future paper on housing associations and their impact on tenants in the city be brought to a future meeting of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

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

The Housing Scrutiny Commission work programme was noted.

The Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Forum Action and Decision Log 14^th February 2019 was circulated to Members at the meeting and is attached for information.

There being no other items of urgent business, the meeting closed at 7.01pm.