Issue - items at meetings - Housing Management Performance Report Quarter 3 2012/13

56.1         The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director Place, on Housing Management Performance Report Quarter 3 2012/13. The report was presented by Ms Dafe, the Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement (Housing).

56.2         Mr B Kent noted the tables in the report, and asked what ‘Y’ and ‘N’ stood for. It was confirmed that it was ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. It was agreed in that future reports the full word would be used rather than an abbreviation.

56.3         Councillor Farrow referred to paragraph 4.2 and asked if more information could be provided on the percentage of appointments kept by the contractor. Ms Dafe agreed that a fuller explanation would be provided in future reports. Councillor Farrow noted that only 96% of light bulbs were replaced within one working day, and asked why that was. Ms Dafe said that 5 bulbs were replaced within three days rather than one, but that was over the Christmas period. The Councillor referred to Appendix 1 and asked for more information on the long term empty property in Queens Park and Withdean. It was confirmed that the property in Queens Park could be the new Brooke Mead Development, but that was dependent on funding. The property in Withdean was a property in the garden of a larger building in Preston Road, and again the site could not be developed until funding was secured.

56.4         Councillor Robins noted that tenant satisfaction with repairs was 99.03%, and asked how that had been measured. Ms Dafe said that when a job had been completed tenants were given a feedback form for them to complete. There were a number of comments from the Sub-Committee that asking people to provide feedback either straight away, or to give the completed form to the contractor, could lead to the satisfaction level not being truly reflective. The Chair suggested that way tenant satisfaction was obtained could be reviewed.

56.5         Councillor Mears noted that the rent collected had gone down. Ms Dafe said that was due to Christmas, and other factors such as children returning to school in September; the current economic situation would be unlikely to improve things. Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 4.5 and noted that only 95% of those in sheltered housing had an up to date support plan. Ms Dafe said that some residents declined a support plan, one resident had been unwell and another was working and they had not been able to meet with them.

56.6         Mr Penrose noted that paragraph 4.5 referred to 24 schemes; he was only aware of 23 schemes and asked for a list so he could contact those three schemes which did not provide at least one social activity a week. It was agreed that he would be provided with a list.

56.7         Councillor Peltzer Dunn said that it would be useful for the report to provide comparisons with the same quarter from the previous year. Councillor Peltzer Dunn noted that there were a number of empty properties and how the lost rental was calculated. Ms Dafe said that any rental lost was calculated year on year. The amount lost had improved as there were a number of empty properties which had now been moved to the LDV.

56.8         Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to Appendix 1, and asked whether the number of days given ran from the first day that the property became empty. Ms Dafe confirmed it did.

56.9         Mr Kent asked if a map could be provided showing land owned by the Council. Officers said that there was a link on the Council’s webpage to a map of land use of council owned land. The Chair asked if that link could be provided in the Minutes. The website address is, http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/maps/Land_Use_of_Council_Owned_Land_2011.pdf

56.10    Councillor Jarrett requested that for safety reasons replacement lights in common ways be replaced as a priority.

56.11    Mr Worsfold referred to paragraph 4.0 and asked why there was former tenant arrears. Ms Dafe said that whilst some would be recovered it was very difficult to obtain the full amount, particularly when tenants had left.

56.12    RESOLVED That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee noted and commented on the report.