Updates were received from Officers on:

 

Empty Homes

At the meeting of the Environment and Housing Management Committee on 9th March 2017Members recommended to identify and prioritise the current properties which have been empty for over two years in the Borough and to approve initial contact with owners to seek resolution.  The initial contact had been approved by the Chairman following draft copies of the letter being circulated.

 

Copies of the letter and an Empty Homes Questionnaire have been produced and have now been sent to 75 owners identified as paying 150% Council Tax as the properties have been empty for over two years.  Copies of the documents and any feedback from this initial contact will be provided as part of the subsequent report which is intended to be produced for the September meeting to outline the proposals for an Empty Homes Strategy.

 

A copy of the letter and questionnaire will be appendixes to a forthcoming report.

 

Landlord’s Forum

As part of our ongoing work with landlords in the Borough, we are planning to hold a Landlords Forum meeting this year to liaise and consult with our Private Sector Landlords.  These meetings were held annually, but due to reduced attendance at the last meeting had not been rearranged; it is hoped that we will be able to encourage more to attend and we are intending to arrange a meeting in September.

 

 

Draft revised Essex HMO Standards

The Government has been consulting on proposals to expand the licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to incorporate two-storey HMOs into licensing.  In preparation for this possible increase in licensed HMOs the Essex authorities are revising the HMO Standards document which is currently used as a reference and guidance across the County on suitable standards for multiple occupation. 

 

When the draft has been completed it is intended to consult across Essex largely through websites and engagement with relevant groups such as the Landlord’s Forum.

 

It is likely that the draft will be produced before the next Committee in which case we will carry out the consultation exercise and report any feedback with a report proposing adoption of the revised standard in the Borough to

co-ordinate with the other Essex Councils.

 

Public Open Space Protection Order

The Community Safety team are working with Essex Police to secure a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to deal with a number of key community safety issues being experienced in the Town Centre.  The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime & Policing Act 2015 introduced a new power for Local Authorities to obtain a PSPO to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can prohibit certain things or require specific things to be done.

 

The Order will seek to tackle issues relating to nuisance vehicles in William Hunter Way car park, aggressive begging in the High Street and anti-social behaviour within the multi storey car park in Coptfold Road, Brentwood.

 

Repairs Contracts

Three Arch Bridge – Balcony Contract

All balconies are now completed. Some outstanding remedial works to tidy up.

Contractors have until February 2018 to complete the remedial works. Modification to the flooring on some balconies needs to be completed due to water going over the balconies. The modifications will be authorized this week with works starting soon after.

 

Drake House Boiler Replacement

Practical works complete. Site almost clear with minor debris clearance left to complete. 5 properties still require access to fit meters, Brentwood Borough Council enquiring about court action to gain access.

 

Stock Condition Survey

All surveys completed. Data and photos to be sent in full to Brentwood Borough Council week commencing 19th June 2017. Pennington’s were asked to complete 600 verification surveys, of these 600, 100 Properties could not be re-surveyed due to non access.

 

Planned Maintenance

The planned works program plan is nearing completion, we aim to be in a position to issue works in stages with the first stage starting in August 2017.

 

Arrears Campaigns

 

April’s campaign was in Warley.

 

Reports generated 61 accounts in arrears:

25 - Direct debit payments.

6 - Last action clear account

30 - Visited 

 

•           The accounts on a Direct debit payment method were checked prior to leaving the office and payments were paid in accordance with the direct debit frequencies. These accounts amount to approximately £3,321.67 worth of arrears recorded for Warley.

 

•           Face to face contact at the door from 5 tenants. This resulted in a promise of £500.00 lump sum payment from one tenant, and another stating they will clear their balance of £177.94 and set up a monthly direct debit online. The 25 properties we had a no response from were hand delivered a letter advising them of the focus on rent (attached) this will hopefully alert them to the arrears and prompt payment or at least contact.

 

            May’s campaign was Three Arch & Hutton South

 

Three Arch Bridge:  60 tenants were visited

 

•           We managed to speak to 16 tenants, arrangements were made with some, a few confirmed they had already paid, some promised to pay and the others were waiting on HB.

 

•           We held a surgery from 11am – 12noon and 2 tenants attended the surgery to discuss their rent account.

 

•           The last fortnight’s arrears figure was £34,522.24.  This FN arrears figure has reduced to £30,175.02, I think part of that has been due to the success of the arrears campaign and some backdated HB into accounts.

 

Hutton South: 47 tenants were visited

 

•           We managed to speak to 14 tenants, arrangements were made with some; others promised to pay (several lump sum payments now showing) a few were waiting on HB.

 

•           We held a surgery from 2pm to 3pm and 4 tenants attended to discuss their rent account.

 

•           The previous fortnight’s arrears figure for the patch was £31,029.16.  This fortnights arrears figure for the patch has reduced to £27,601.40 following the campaign. 

 

•           Overall the arrears campaign for Three Arch Bridge and Hutton South was a success, officers feel the campaign for these patches have been the most successful to date.

 

June’s campaign was Brentwood Town Centre & Brentwood Station Area.

 

41 Properties visited

Brentwood Town Centre– arrears figure £23,425.72

13 Tenants spoken to and advice given

2 Tenants attended Chichester House surgery (Although one was a transfer query! Both were residents at Chichester House)

 

            29 Properties visited

Brentwood Station Area –Arrears figure £22,013.09

               

             12 Tenants spoken to and advice given

                No one attended Masefield Court surgery

 

•           All ‘No response’ addresses were lettered with rent statements provided in sealed envelopes and all notes have been updated on Orchard.

•           This was the most successful campaign at the door, and one of the lesser successful surgeries.

 

Performance Presentations

A presentation on Key Performance Indicators within the Housing department was given by Mrs Marsh.  This covered rent collection, re-let times of properties, temporary accommodation, gas servicing and repairs performance.

 

Members asked for a review of the contractors Service Level Agreement be undertaken.  Mrs Williams advise the committee that she is considering appointing a Project Officer will monitor the performance of contractors.  

 

These presentations were noted by the Committee.

 

Fire Audit of High Rise Flats – Grenfell Tower Fire

An inspection has been carried out on the three main high rise blocks within the borough; Masefield Court, Gibraltar House and Drake House.  No cladding has been used on any of the Council’s flats.

 

Full Fire Inspection to be carried out by the end of the week.  Letters have been sent to all residents in flat’s owned by Brentwood Borough Council.

A few issues have been brought to our attention; Sprinkler systems, replacement fire doors, reviewing the Stay Put Policy, CCTV, Storage Areas,  Fire Assembly Points and Fly-tipping.

 

Cllr Hubbard, requested to possibility of the rubbish area in Gibraltar House being cleaned out and made in to a storage area for prams, bikes etc. to remove this items from the corridors. Mrs Williams confirmed that it will not be advised.

 

Cllr Chilvers, congratulated the officer on the work already undertaken.

Fly-tipping is a big issue at Sir Francis Way and has requested CCTV to be installed. General clutter from residents extending their living space into the corridors.

 

Members requested Fire Evacuation Training to be implemented for all residents living in Council’s owned flats.

 

Mrs Williams to circulated Fire and Police Report to all Members. No requested from Kensington Council to accommodate any family evacuated from Grenfell Tower has been received.