Agenda item - Housing Performance Report Quarter 4

-       14:45

-       15 Minutes

2.    HOUSING PERFORMANCE REPORT Q4 2023/24                                 15-38

3.1 EG delivered a verbal brief as per the item in the agenda. Covering changes in line with the move to Universa Credit for social payments, highlighting a 53-week-year this year, leading to changing statistics compared to the normal 52-week-year, they also noted that the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) still operated on 52-week-year for payments leading to the discrepancies

3.3 Residents queried if the changes would affect sheltered accommodation, EG provided clarification that it may affect individuals on a case-by-case basis.

3.4 Cllr Mackey raised a query with regard to how the changes were communicated to those who were not digitally literate and whether it affected PIP payments. EG confirmed that PIP was separate and also further confirmed that any necessary accommodations could be made.

3.5 ES provided further information to Cllr Mackey regarding the queries raised and also provided insight in their personal situation with regard to the matter.

3.6 Rosemary Johnson (RJ) informed the panel that they had not been given support with regard to their requested accommodation. EG clarified that any vulnerabilities would be noted officially on the system for communication methods.

3.7 EG confirmed that Community Engagement would be making proactive contact with known residents with vulnerabilities.

3.8 Representatives from Craven Vale requested clarification upon why the DWP was working to a 52-week-year for payments when it was in fact a 53-week-year. EG clarified that this was a DWP policy and not in the gift of the authority.

3.9 Cllr Mcleay requested clarification upon how the EPC rating for the Council’s property stock compared to other Local Authorities. Geof Gage (GG) confirmed that they would follow up with this.

3.10 RJ congratulated the authority on Anti-Social-Behaviour (ASB) initiative progress. Janet Dowdell (JD) clarified that eviction was the last option taken by the authority and BHCC policy was not to increase the number of evictions.