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Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AY

Contact: Niamh Butler (01277 312 569) 

Items
No. Item

192.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Cloke, with Cllr Lewis substituting.

193.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Housing Committee held on the 27th June 2022 were approved as a true record.

 

 

194.

Variation of the agenda

Minutes:

Cllr White proposed to vary the agenda and take Items 10, 11 and 12 ahead of Item 9 which was to be discussed in private session. This was approved by members. 

 

195.

Chairs Update pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The report began on page 9 which highlighted the work the Housing Department have done.

 

Cllr White welcomed Julian Higson, the new Interim Director of Housing to the team as well as Carol Burton, the new Interim Corporate Manger – Technical Services.

196.

Harewood Regeneration

A presentation will be given on the night.

Minutes:

A presentation was given by Danny Hughes from Hamson Barron Smith alongside Paulette McAllister detailing the Harewood Regeneration Project to committee members.

197.

Key Performance Indicators pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

Key Performance indicators are collected across all services in the Housing Department and help monitor how they are performing across a set list of key areas.

 

The report presented these Key Performance Indicators to Members of the Housing Committee with a commentary for each one which details why they are under performing and noting where a high level of performance has been achieved.

 

This item was for information only and no vote was required.

198.

Policy Schedule pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report is for members to note and presents the Policy Review Schedule to ensure that the Housing Department has the relevant Strategies and Policies in place in order to provide a clear framework of its responsibilities.

 

This item was for information only and no vote was required.

199.

Aids and Adaptation Policy pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented the Aids & Adaptations Policy (2022-2027) which covers the Aids and Adaptations placed into the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties.

 

The policy replaces the Aids & Adaptations Policy, which was approved by the Community, Health & Housing Committee on the 5th March 2018.

 

The policy provides a clear framework to manage adaptations within its Housing Stock to ensure that properties already adapted for disabled needs are utilised before further adaptations are completed.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr White and SECONDED by Cllr Pearson to agree the recommendation to this report.

 

Following a full discussion, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

 

Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the Aids & Adaptations Policy included in Appendix A.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

To ensure our current policy is transparent and covers our aims and objectives.

 

 

200.

Succession Policy pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented the Succession Policy (2022-2027) to the Committee for approval.

 

The policy provides a clear framework for when considering applications for Statutory succession of tenancy in accordance with the Housing Act 1985 and the amendments in the Localism Act 2011 and where a Statutory Succession has already taken place consideration under the Local Policy to ensure that the Council is transparent in its processes and procedures.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr White and SECONDED by Cllr Pearson to agree the recommendation in the report.

 

Following a full discussion, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

 

Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the Succession policy included in Appendix A.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

To ensure that the Housing Department has a policy covering the way that applications for Succession are managed and how tenants/applicants will be treated.

 

As agreed earlier in the meeting, the agenda was varied to address Item’s 10, 11 and 12 ahead of Item 9.

 

201.

Member estate visits pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented the Member Estate Inspection Schedule.

 

A motion to amend the recommendations was MOVED by Cllr White and SECONDED by Cllr Pearson to remove R2 and amend R1 to read as follows:

 

R1. To approve a member estate inspection schedule to be maintained on an ongoing basis

 

Following a full discussion, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

 

Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve a member estate inspection schedule to be maintained on an ongoing basis by officers.

 

R3. Members are requested to approve the setting up of a Cross Party Working group to review overall outcomes of Estate Inspections to be presented at future committees.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

To provide members with a clear overview of the condition of our estates and progress of the Strategic Housing Delivery Programme.

 

Cllr White moved standing orders to continue for thirty minutes, this was agreed by committee members.

202.

Strategic Housing Development Programme pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Minutes:

The report summarised progress of the development of a pipeline of new affordable homes through the development and regeneration of various Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites. As a reminder, this Strategic Housing Delivery Programme (SHDP) is made up of two distinct elements, 1) the regeneration of Brookfield Close and Courage Court, Hutton to develop 62 zero carbon homes alongside the Harewood Regeneration Project consisting of around 40 new zero carbon homes, and 2) the development of a range of smaller HRA sites to deliver a further 80 Zero Carbon homes on a further 8 council owned sites.

 

The Council’s Corporate Strategy ‘Brentwood 2025’ commits to Introducing “innovative Carbon reduction and absorption schemes”, “identify opportunities for low emission and green developments” and using ‘brownfield sites efficiently, such as council owned garage sites, to provide affordable homes…”.

 

This item was for information only and no vote was required.

203.

Urgent Business

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business to be discussed.

 

 

204.

Exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

Cllr white MOVED and Cllr Pearson SECONDED that the public were excluded from Item 9 on the grounds that it may disclose exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This was approved by committee members.

 

205.

Balcony Project Contract Approval pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of its housing stock and members may be aware of the significant maintenance requirement to the timber balconies at Whittington Road and Colet Road. The report seeks the committee’s approval to seek tenders for the works as set out in this report.

 

Cllr White MOVED and Cllr Pearson SECONDED that the wording of the recommendation was changed from “to issue” to “select and award”. This was agreed by all committee members.

 

Following a full discussion, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

 

Members are asked to agree:

 

R.1. That delegated authority is given to the Strategic Director and, Section 151 officer acting in consultation with the Housing Committee to seek the Council’s approval to select and award the tender for the replacement balconies Capital project as set out in this report.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

The balconies form part of the amenity space for each flat and part of their leasing arrangements and so the Council are required to make the necessary repair or replacements to fulfil its obligations.

 

The meeting concluded at 9:11pm.