(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 67/2017 from the Director for Places (Development and Economy) was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Hemsley, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to ask Cabinet to approve a new Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy.  This included a revised consideration of stock condition and a more flexible approach regarding disabled adaptations for properties of all tenures (ownership types), reflecting the opportunities of the Better Care Fund (BCF) and helping to meet the Council’s responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        The Council were currently underspent on this budget. The adoption of this Policy would allow Rutland County Council (RCC) to spend this budget more effectively and help more people.

    ii.        The Conditions on page 81 of the report were National Terms and Conditions with little room for local customisation. A change to the wording to make it clear that this was in conjunction with the National Standards was requested.

   iii.        The process for generating the Hazards score was a complex calculation that was set out in National Regulations.

   iv.        Ward Members could report maintenance complaints from residents directly to Spire Homes’ and could refer complaints regarding housing associations to the Housing Ombudsman if unresolved through an association’s own procedure.  Mr Walters requested that this information was circulated.

    v.        The percentage comparator for homes that failed to meet the decent homes standard was approximately 20%.

   vi.        The Policy would be monitored so that any improvements could be made in the planned review in April 2018.

DECISION

1)    Cabinet AUTHORISED the publication and adoption of the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy attached at Appendix A to Report No. 67/2017.

Reasons for Decision

1.    The revised Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy provided a more up-to-date assessment of the condition of private sector housing assistance, together with the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2017-22, the Homelessness Review 2016, the Home Energy Conservation Act Progress Report 2017 and the Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2014 and 2015 update.

2.    The policy for discretionary grants for adaptations would allow the best use to be made of the available resources within the existing budget, to promote independent living and to support timely discharges from hospital.