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Grass-cutting on council properties | Due to wet conditions of the grass, we may not be able to cut all of the grass areas of our council properties at this current time; this includes our parks, open spaces and play areas. Our team are surveying the sites and as soon as the areas are dry enough, our team will be grass-cutting as usual. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. 

Agenda item

Agenda item

Reporting Exemption to Contract Procedure Rules

The report of the Strategic Director.

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

Minutes:

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report. It was noted that due to timescales and the amount of work required, along with the fact that Merrison’s had been a trusted existing and local supplier, that they had been appointed by officers in order to carry out works on the Council’s housing stock.

 

A member stated that they had been happy that officers had followed correct procedures.

 

Questions from Councillor S Sheahan.

Councillor Sheahan thanked the Leader for the opportunity to present his questions as the deadline for questions had passed when they were proposed.

 

Question

Response

What is the latest estimate of the number of cases of mould and damp identified within the Council’s housing stock?

477 properties have notified NWLDC of having Damp, Mould or Condensation related issues. These are broadly self notifications unchecked and vary in size type and complexity.


291 Damp, Mould and Condensation surveys have been issued to specialist contractors.
120 properties have been referred to Merrisons to carryout works to address the cause and treat any mould.

What is the percentage, within that figure, of Housing Health and Safety Rating System category 2 serious damp and mould cases?

Unable to obtain due to time constraints, will follow .

What is the percentage of HHSRS category 1 cases, which fail the decent homes standard?

Unable to obtain due to time constraints, will follow.

What is the remaining percentage of notable damp and mould cases?

Unable to obtain due to time constraints, will follow.

What is the combined number of all damp and mould cases expressed as a percentage of the Council’s housing stock?

11.75% - this is the 477 notifications and not the confirmed cases, as assessment work has not yet completed.

What is the current best estimate of the national average percentage of mould and damp cases in social housing, according to the Regulator of Social Housing?

While the picture is incomplete, RSH’s best estimate is that less than 0.2% of social homes have the most serious damp and mould problems, 1-2% have serious damp and mould problems, and a further 3-4% have notable damp and mould. (Published on 02nd February 2023). No data has been issued for minor cases of which some of our 477 notifications are.

What is the Council’s process for ensuring that damp and mould cases are identified and dealt with promptly and effectively?

NWLDC made the decision to refer all reports of Damp, Mould, and Condensation to specialist contractors for survey to allow the root cause of the reported concerns to be diagnosed and addressed.

All remedial works are being issues to NWLDC’s support contractor Merrisons, trained to MGC (Mould Growth Consultants) standards of treatment.


Whilst this approach, in conjunction with the vast increase in reports received following the media coverage of Awaab Ishak’s death, has meant that some tenants are experiencing delays for the completion of treatment it ensures that we offer a long-term solution minimising repeat cases in the future. Cases are triaged depending of the findings of the surveys.

 

 

 

Officers noted that the number of cases of mould and damp were reported cases as opposed to those which had been found and confirmed, however the meeting was informed that all cases would be investigated and addressed where action was required. It was confirmed that some cases would result in the need for further works, some of which may be structural, however that some could be resolved via cleaning regimes or specialist paint.

 

The Leader proposed that a task and finish group be formed to consider the issue of mould and damp in Council homes following the upcoming elections.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Property and Customer Services wished to reaffirm their commitment to identifying and dealing with such cases and confirmed their dedication to ensuring that tenants live in decent homes.

 

It was moved by Councillor R Bayliss, seconded by Councillor R Ashman and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

  1. The exemption made by Statutory Officers to the Contract Procedure rules as detailed in the report be noted.
  2. The award to the contractor as detailed in the report be approved and delegated to the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing.

 

Reason for decision: To note the exemption as required by the Constitution.

 

Supporting documents: