Agenda item
INFRASTRUCTURE - HOUSING RECOVERY THEME
To receive a report by the Head of Communities and Customer Services (copy attached) which seeks the Committee to examine the Council’s post COVID-19 Recovery Plan for Housing-Related Services
10.15am – 10.45am
Decision:
Agreement on the recommendation was by consensus. No formal vote was taken. All Committee members indicated they were in favour of the recommendation, no one indicated they were against it and no one indicated that they wished to abstain. The Committee:
Resolved: - subject to the above observations –
(i) that it had read, understood and taken account of the activities being pursued in relation to Council Housing-Related services’ recovery from the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
(ii) requested that a report, outlining the effects of COVID-19 on homelessness in the county along with the Council’s recovery plans in relation to addressing homelessness issues, be presented to the Committee in the near future
Minutes:
The Lead Member for Housing & Communities introduced
members to the report and appendices (previously circulated) providing members
with information on the post Covid-19 recovery plan for Infrastructure- Housing
Recovery Priority.
The Head of Communities and Customer Services (HCCS) guided
members through the report and the recovery themes. Reference was made to the
two appendices, the first being the drafted and agreed Housing Recovery theme
agreed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Cabinet in May 2020 with the
second being an update to work completed.
The HCCS directed members to appendix 2 which illustrated the
completed actions and an update to the actions within appendix 1.
Confirmation was provided to members that work to reduce the
backlog of non-urgent house repairs had begun in August. Due to limited visits
during lockdown the backlog of work had increased. Focus to work through
backlog and get back on track was ongoing.
Members heard that a delegated decision to temporarily change
the Single Access Route to Housing (SARTH) process had been agreed, with a
review at the end of October scheduled. The up to date total number of
households that had been matched to accommodation was 40 slightly higher that
what was stated in the report.
Although rent arrears had risen, officers stated
communication with residents and the inclusion of Citizens Advice to assist and
support officers was provided. It was confirmed along with Denbighshire; the
Welsh Government had worked closely with residents at risk of rent arrears.
Communication with tenants had proven vital to the recovery
plan, with more than 3000 support calls made to vulnerable tenants. The use of
social media to communicate messages and offer support had proved valuable.
Confirmation that a pilot scheme had been approved to open a community room
within Dolwen, Denbigh.
Members thanked the HCCS for the detailed introduction through
the report. During the Committee’s discussions the Lead Member and Officers:
·
Confirmed work had continued with tenants and
officers were working hard to resolve any issues tenants have if unable to move
to alternative accommodation. Support has been offered to tenants especially
when complaints of anti-social behaviour where received.
- Confirmation
was provided that a delay in receiving payments from Universal Credit had
been observed and not from the tenant. The pandemic had caused a
considerable impact on Universal Credit thus in turn causing issues for
residents. It was expressed the aspiration was to enable residents to
develop skills and gain employment.
- Members
supported the work that was ongoing with vulnerable tenants. It was felt
this aspect of the recovery was important.
- Emphasis
to the number of residents in the county with no access to online
facilities was made. Members heard that consideration and learning
opportunities to learn and develop online skills would have to be
provided.
- Confirmation
that separate work had been completed to address members’ concerns regarding
homelessness in the authority.
- Concerns
that older residents in the community may not have access to social media.
The use of the telephone had proved invaluable to these residents.
- The
Single Access Route to Housing form remained the same.
- Officers
reassured members that contractors provided identification when requesting
permission to enter properties.
The Chair thanked officers and
Lead Members for the report and the committee;
RESOLVED: - subject to the above observations –
(i) That it had read, understood and taken
account of the activities being pursued in relation to Council Housing-Related
services’ recovery from the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
(ii)
requested that a report, outlining the effects of
COVID-19 on homelessness in the county along with the Council’s recovery plans
in relation to addressing homelessness issues, be presented to the Committee in
the near future.
Supporting documents:
- Housing Recovery Priority Report 100920, item 5. PDF 323 KB
- Housing Recovery Priority Report 100920 - App 1, item 5. PDF 133 KB
- Housing Recovery Priority Report 100920 - App 2, item 5. PDF 146 KB