Issue - items at meetings - Lessons taken from the experience of relocating Manor Place Housing Office

55.1         The Sub Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment Development & Housing which provided information on how the experience and learning from the relocation of the Manor Place Housing Office has informed work to close the Selsfield Drive Housing Office.  The report was presented by the Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement (Housing).  She stressed that there had been a targeted approach in the way customers were supported as a result of the Selsfield Drive closure.  This was set out in paragraph 3.2.2 of the report.

55.2    The Chair mentioned that at the full Council meeting, Councillor Meadows had asked a question about PayPoint.  She had heard that some tenants had been charged to use PayPoint. 

55.3    The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement(Housing) confirmed that tenants should not be charged for the use of PayPoint.  She asked for details of shops or organisations that were charging. 

55.4    Councillor Farrow reported that he had received complaints from a number of tenants and residents about charges for the use of PayPoint. He was aware of a shop in Moulsecoomb that made a charge.  Councillor Farrow thought that the use of post offices should be encouraged.  Councillor Farrow stated that tenants and residents were not happy with the closure of the Selsfield Drive office and that there was need to ensure that council tenants on the estates received a reasonable housing service.  Councillor Farrow considered that there needed to be a small housing office on the new development.

55.5    The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvementconfirmed that officers were promoting the use of post offices when they had PayPoint facilities.  

55.6    Councillor Mears thanked officers for the report which she welcomed.  She had noted some of the lessons that had been learnt from the closure of Manor Place and would watch the progress of the Selsfield Drive closure with interest. 

55.7    Roy Crowhurst asked why it took so long to apply for a PayPoint card.  He had waited 6-8 weeks for a card to arrive.  Mr Crowhurst stated that when a payment was made through PayPoint it took up to 5 days to appear on the rent record at the Council. 

55.8    The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvementwas sorry to hear that Mr Crowhurst had to wait so long for a PayPoint card.  This was unusual.  She assured Mr Crowhurst that although it took a while to process payments through PayPoint, the council would not contact tenants to say their payments were in arrears. The council were able to see which tenants paid by PayPoint.  In the meanwhile, officers had identified the shop in Moulsecoomb which was charging for the use of PayPoint.  The business owner would be contacted by officers and an update would be provided.   

55.9    RESOLVED - That the learning taken from Manor Place and applied to the planning of the Selsfield Drive Housing Office, be noted.