Agenda item - Repairs and Improvement Update

(Copy attached)

13.1    The Business and Performance Manager, presented the update highlighting the overcharging of repairs contracts in the past. He noted that initially a report went to committee in January, Councillors asked for an update every 6 months through area panels. He also stated that the report highlighted the next steps, progress within partnerships and residents involved with the management group.

13.2    A Councillor and members of the panel made the following enquiries and expressed these concerns:

·                    If this was reduced to smaller number of types of sub-contractors including amount expenditure, will there be a chance of further reductions

·                    If anyone was to be charged for the whole issue

·                   If the Clerk of works inspects properties that sub-contractors currently work on

13.3    Officers answered the aforementioned concerns with the following:

·       Any work that has been completed within 4 months will also undergo a performance review, there are also internal mechanisms in place to root out who else is employed as an extra measure

·       Confirmed an incident was identified and that BHCC has had some discussions with police however as yet no one has been charged

·       The overcharging was picked up by the Housing Team and will check with audit to recoup any losses

·       The inspection is more robust than before. He also noted that if the job is complex then a Clerk of works will be assigned to it from the start.

13.4    RESOLVED - That the report be noted.