Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

There were no questions received.

RESOLVED THAT:

By reason of special circumstance in that an additional item of business needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Policy Development Group, the item entitled "Call-In of Cabinet Decision of 4 March 2014 Entitled ‘Additional Costs of The Decent Homes Programme 2014/15’" be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(B) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2014.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2014.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Community Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members. He highlighted that the annual returns of long term empty homes since 2010 had fallen each year, that the District figures were consistent with the other Districts in Leicestershire and confirmed that they had recruited to the three month Empty Homes Officer post in February.

Councillor N Smith asked that if a property that was owned by a private owner and it was the only property that they owned, was it correct that the Council would not be able to take action against the owner, as there was a property in Ravenstone that had been empty for many years and he had been advised in the past that this was the case.

The Street Action Team Manager responded by advising the Committee that this was not the case and would be happy to discuss the individual case further with Councillor N Smith.

Members suggested that Officers contacted Melton Borough Council to seek advice on how they had managed to get their long term empty homes down to such a low percentage.

 By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Report of the Head of Finance

The Head of Finance presented the report to Members.

In response to a question from Councillor N Clarke, the Head of Finance advised Members that the Council’s policy was in line with other Councils. He also explained when calculating the amount of Discretionary Housing Payment for a claimant, both the income and expenditure was taken into account and the two could cancel each other out.

It was moved by Councillor N Smith, seconded by Councillor M Specht and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Report of the Head of Community Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members. He thanked Members of the Committee who had attended the Task and Finish Group.

He brought to Members’ attention the amended recommendations that had been circulated to them at the start of the meeting.

Following a query from Councillor S Sheahan, Officers agreed to reconsider the remit and future of the Task and Finish Group, and provide Members with an update at the next meeting.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    Policy Development Group have considered the Draft Community Covenant and endorse the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group.

b)    That the Draft Community Covenant be passed to the Leader and Chief Executive to exercise their delegated authority to sign the Covenant on behalf of the Authority.

The Head of Housing presented the report to Members. He highlighted to Members the four grounds for calling-in the decision and that the report took each ground in turn and provided information to address them.

Councillor S Sheahan advised the Committee that the call-in request had arisen following a routine briefing and he had concerns over the magnitude of money that was required. He requested a breakdown of how much of the additional £1.6 million was required for each of the four elements stated in the report.

The Head of Housing informed Members that £810k was required for roofing work, £226k was required for asbestos removal, £405k was required to offer a level access shower in suitable properties in lieu of a standard bathroom and £210k was required to cover other inflationary pressures.

Councillor S Sheahan asked if it was the aim of the Head of Housing to complete the work within the budget and if the overspend could have been avoided.

The Head of Housing advised Members that it was his objective to complete all work within budget, however Officers could not predict any additional works that may be required once the original work had begun. He stated that the additional money that was required was not an overspend, it was required as additional costs following surveys that had been completed in December, however in the future Officers would ensure that the surveys would be carried out in the earlier quarters so that any additional costs could be incorporated. He advised Members that on this occasion the additional costs could not have been avoided.

Councillor S Sheahan went on to ask if the additional costs that had been raised had come from just one contractor or both, and if the Council would use the Term Partnering Contract in the future.

The Head of Housing responded by advising Members that the contractors worked in different areas and it would depend on the age of the property and previous materials used as to the costs that each contractor would incur, however should contractors come to Officers with an increase in costs they must provide reasons and justify the increase. He went on to advise Members that he would recommend the use of the Term Partnering Contract again in the right circumstances, but would let experience decide if it was the right option for the work that was needed.

Councillor D Everitt asked that if the contractor found additional work, was the Council able to verify this itself and once the work had been completed was it signed off with the tenant, as to being completed to an acceptable standard.

The Head of Housing advised that Officers from the Council did go out to verify the additional work and that Council Officers, tenants and contractors would sign the work off together.

Councillor N Clarke raised concerns over the use of the Right to Buy money as this would affect the One to One Policy.

The Head of Housing advised Members that despite  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming decisions of Cabinet is attached for information.

RESOLVED THAT:

The following items be included on the work plan for a future meeting:-

a)    Risk Management Strategy

b)    Asset Management Strategy and Corporate Capital Strategy