Issue - items at meetings - Neighbourhood Policy

Report of Head of Housing and Social Inclusion (copy attached).

(1)       That the contents of the policy and relevant policies and procedures are noted.

(2)       That the proposed Council Housing Neighbourhood Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.

56.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Head of Housing and Social Inclusion which set out the proposed Council Housing Neighbourhood Policy.  The Regulatory Framework for Social Housing required that social housing providers had a Neighbourhood Policy in relation to their housing. The policy set out in appendix 1 of the report, related to Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing and its estates.   

56.2    The Head of Tenancy Services reported that after the last Housing Management Consultative Committee, the report had been presented to the Leaseholder Action Group and had been well received.

56.3    RESOLVED - (1)      That the contents of the policy and relevant policies and procedures are noted.

(2)       That the proposed Council Housing Neighbourhood Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.

Report of Head of Housing and Social Inclusion (copy attached).

50.1    The Committee considered a report of the Head of Housing and Social Inclusion which stated that the Regulatory Framework for Social Housing required that social housing providers had a Neighbourhood Policy in relation to their housing. The Council Housing Neighbourhood Policy set out in appendix 1 of the report, related to Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing and its estates.   

50.2    The Chair reported that the Committee would receive a joint PowerPoint presentation on all three policies submitted to this meeting.   This would be followed by a discussion and individual decisions on each item.      

50.3    The Head of Tenancy Services reported that all three policies were developed with the help of the Estate Services Monitoring Group.   The Neighbourhood Policy was the overarching policy.  Copies of the presentation were circulated to all members of the Committee. 

50.4    John Melson congratulated Policy and Performance Officer on the Neighbourhood Policy report which he considered excellent.   However, he noted in relation to paragraph 4.2 to 4.4 that there was no mention of consultation.  This was the first time he had seen the report. 

50.5    The Head of Tenancy Services agreed with Mr Melson’s point.  It was set out in the Tenant’s Compact that the reports should be presented to the Area Panels.  If the tenants wished to defer a decision on the reports until after the next round of Area Panels, officers would respect that decision.  However they might like to decide that the Tenant Compact Monitoring Group’s decision was sufficient. 

50.6    Mr Melson stated that he had no wish to delay the decision.  However he stressed the need to establish a clear audit trail.  It was not right for a city wide group to decide for the whole of the city, without consulting various groups.  He suggested that a small focus group should look at this matter. 

50.7         The Chair stated that the Innovation Group would consider this matter.

50.8         Muriel Briault stated that there had been a good discussion on these policies at her group along with consultation with residents.   

50.9    RESOLVED – (1) That the contents of the policy and relevant policies and procedures are noted.

(2)       That the Cabinet Member for Housing be recommended to agree the proposed Council Housing Neighbourhood Policy as set out in appendix 1 of the report.