Minutes:
The Board received a presentation from the Housing Department on how they were working towards the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.
The Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Service (Districts), Housing gave the presentation and in addition to the points made in the attached document the following points were noted:-
· The health of tenants was considered as being equally as important as the condition of the housing stock.
· The role of STAR (Supporting Tenants and Residents) played a critical role in supporting tenants.
Following questions from Board members it was noted that:-
· The original ‘decent homes standard’ was modified and adopted as higher local standard some years ago. It was accepted that was in need of an update and it would be helpful to re-issue it to include details of what criteria were contained within it.
· Historically the Council had been reactive when dealing with private landlords and it was accepted that this should be reviewed to see if the relationship could become more pro-active; which could include looking at the feasibility of establishing a landlords’ consultative forum. Being proactive in this way could help to raise a number of tenants’ issues in an impersonal manner rather than creating a confrontational situation on tenants’ behalf, particularly as private tenancies were generally less secure than the Council’s own tenancies.
· Condensation was accepted as a major problem to both tenants’ health and the condition of the housing stock when it occurred. Members’ comments that it was always helpful to advise tenants to open windows were noted. It was equally important for tenants to know how any window vents worked to and ensure that these were functioning correctly.
· The £200k capital investment in carry out condensation works was insufficient and this should be reviewed to see if this could be increased within the priority of the housing budget in future years. The causes of condensation were varied and in some instances there was a need for behavioural change and in other instances it required a technical solution.
· Members comments that increases in mental health issue were being observed as a consequence of poor housing conditions were noted, and the importance of addressing these issues through non-medical responses was mentioned as this would help to prevent pressures building up in the primary and acute health sectors.
· The Council’s Neighbourhood Housing Teams were well equipped to signpost tenants and help them to obtain assistance for non-housing issues. This could involve helping tenants to access additional finances or grants to help with housing costs and heating, engaging with doctors and hospitals services. The STAR scheme helped to maintain 80% of tenancies.
· There was scope within the primary care strategies and health needs neighbourhood development work to develop closer working relations to address the issues discussed above.
Following questions from a member of the public it was noted that:-
· The Council had explored the licensing registration scheme for landlords and had recently looked at the scheme in Nottingham to see how it worked and its impact on housing.
· The student unions and the university welfare teams were known to have programmes for accreditation of student housing but the details of these were not known in full.
RESOLVED:-
That officers be thanked for their informative and useful presentation and that the issues raise in the discussion be considered further by the Deaprtment.