Agenda item - Resident Questions, 2- & 3-Star

3.1      In relation to question N2.1, regarding the Discretionary Gardening Scheme, Justine Harris confirmed they have picked this up with Community Engagement will work with residents to take forward the idea of mobilising volunteers.

3.2      In relation to question N2.2, regarding poor communication in council services, Ian Beck advised that no one has contacted them about this so it remains outstanding. Justine Harris advised they would pick this up after the meeting.

3.3      Mitch Watkinson introduced question N3.1, regarding anti-social behaviour and the Housing Allocations Policy and the Chair read the response provided in the agenda.

3.4      Residents on the panel discussed the impact of the issues raised in the question and experiences of anti-social behaviour in their areas.

3.5      Mitch Watkinson raised that residents know the council has a duty to house, but that resident groups want to be part of the sensitive let process.

3.6      Alice Morel discussed the checks, risk and support assessments the allocations team carry out when they add someone to the housing register and the reasons why someone may be deemed not ready to live in general needs accommodation. They advised that there are occasions where they have been unable to establish any issues and that issues sometimes only arise after an individual has been housed.

3.7      Alice Morel discussed sensitive-lets and the nominations process around this.

3.8      In response to questions from Barney Miller in relation to individuals with a history of anti-social behaviour remaining on the housing register, Alice Morel advised that the allocations team considers the nature and timing of incidents, any current support in place, and whether behaviour is linked to a disability.

3.9      The Chair raised that they hope that tenant reps can be involved in the process to talk about the needs of their areas and discussed shorter secure tenancies.

3.10    Alice Morel confirmed that a Task & Finish group would be established and that although the policy cannot be tweaked easily, they do want to hear what residents have to say.

3.11    In response to a question from Heather Hayes about moving victims rather than perpetrators, Justine Harris discussed issues caused by court and advised that they do take a victim centred approach but this is one of the actions they may consider as sometimes it is the only resolution.

3.12    Justine Harris discussed successful outcomes where individuals have not had to move and the work they do with perpetrators to change behaviour.

3.13    In response to a question from Des Jones regarding whether the council has to consult with medical professionals before rehousing an individual who’s mental health issues led to their eviction, Alice Morel advised that if the individual is homeless then they would link in with their support team and they wouldn’t look to move someone back into general needs tenancy if they were in need of support.

3.14    Justine Harris discussed that before they seek repossession of a property, they look at all the support they can put in place for the individual and the judge will look at this as part of the decision if it is taken to court.

3.15    In response to a question from Barney Miller, Alice Morel and Sam Nolan confirmed they could talk though allocations and sensitive lets procedures at the task and finish group.