BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL
EAST AREA PANEL
20.11.2024
MINUTES

Attendees:

Councillors: Williams (Chair), Simon, Allen, McGregor

Residents: Ben D’Montigny, Alison, Max, Dee, Janet,

Officers: Emma Gilbert, Ofoma, Justine Harris, Chloe, Sam Nolan, Stephanie, Keeley McDonald, Geof Gage, Janet Dowdell, Francis Mitchell

1 – WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS & APOLOGIES

2 – MINUTES & ACTIONS OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

2.1The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as correct record.

2.2The Panel agreed the actions of the previous meeting.

3 – HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGET PROPOSAL AND TENANT FEEDBACK

3.1Justine Harris and Geof Gage delivered the report for this item.

3.2Cllr McGregor was informed that the repairs budget had increased.

3.3Justine Harris provided an update on staffing and stated that contractors had been used to reduce the repairs backlog.

3.4Dee Simson highlighted the importance of consulting residents in matters of local development.

3.5Geof Gage provided details on roofing and cavity wall repairs.

4 – HOUSING PERFORMANCE REPORT Q2 2024/25

4.1Justine Harris delivered the report for this item.

4.2Ben D’Montigny was informed that any concerns should be raised with the Housing Customer Service team.

4.3Jan Dowdell provided an update on the number of calls answered, stating that callers no longer waited for more than two minutes to be put through to an operative.

5 – UPDATE ON REGULATORY JUDGEMENT

5.1Justine Harris delivered the presentation for this item.

5.2Dee Simson was informed that installed smoke detectors were a mix of hard-wired and battery powered.

5.3Justine Harris stated that the repairs backlog would likely be cleared by April/May 2025.

5.4Chris El Shabba was informed that water was tested for legionnaires disease.

6 – BREAK

7 – REDUCING HOARDING

7.1Emma Gilbert delivered the presentation for this item.

7.2Emma Gilbert iterated the importance of tenants being made aware of flammable commonly hoarded items such as newspapers and extension leads.

7.3The Chair suggested sharing fire safety information in Homing In.

7.4Ben D’Montigny shared that those suffering from Plyushkin’s Disorder (hoarding) were harder for ambulance services to treat as a result of objects blocking the 360 degrees access required by paramedics to treat patients.

7.5Councillor Allen was informed that while there was no clutter rating equivalent for outdoors areas, tenancy agreements require residents to ensure their outdoor areas are tidy.

7.6Councillor Allen was informed that while neighbours would be kept informed of issues regarding hoarding, there were data protection regulations that prevented all details being shared.

7.7The Chair was informed that Environmental Health would need to be contacted in instances of hoarding in private housing if there were wellbeing concerns.

8 – RESIDENTS’ QUESTIONS – 2 AND 3 STAR

8.1The Chair read through the responses provided to residents’ questions.

8.2There were no further questions from residents.

9 – BLEED CONTROL KITS AND DEFIBRILLATORS

9.1Ben D’Montigny introduced this item, citing the importance of bleed control kits and defibrillators in treating those with injuries and shared how such kits could be used to save lives.

9.2The Chair supported the installation of bleed control kits and defibrillators and questioned whether first aid training could be given to those who would be likely to use them.

9.3Janet Gearing was informed that while the price of bleed control kits and defibrillators varied, they typically cost between £10 and £150 depending on their content.

9.4Dee Simson suggested installing bleed control kits and defibrillators in community centres.

10 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS / POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS

11 – ITEMS FOR INFORMATION