Agenda item

Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Housing and Development, presented the quarterly performance update.

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

·         Members were informed that the Council’s target for downsizing residents has been challenging despite offering financial incentives. Members were advised that the take up for the new scheme built specifically for over 55’s in Kings Square has been disappointing, however the Council would continue reviewing this issue.

·         Members were advised that the target for new affordable homes in 2018/18 remains 466, however as house building principally lies with housing associations and private developers, the Council has limited control on the delivery timescales, however the Council would continue supporting measures to achieve the target.

·         With regards to the First Time Fix target of 85%, Members were advised that the reason for the fall in performance for responding to emergency repairs was due to the high volume of repair request experienced during the poor weather between January and March. In most of the cases the team were dealing with more ‘make safes’ however the Council would be looking at how it will respond to these peaks in the future. The Executive Member for Housing informed Committee that he would bring back to the Committee on specific measures on how to deal with these repairs at a future meeting.

·         Members were informed that its first batches of operatives having completed their multi skill training programme are now being provided further support in the field to practice their new skills which will be of benefit to both the residents and the operatives in the long run as operatives with multi skills could address issues while in a property instead of calling out for a specialist.

·         Councillor Ward informed Members that although there had been no reported glitches with the new IT system, further improvements are to be introduced in the second phase of the project which would allow managers monitor the performance of their staff on a daily basis.

·         Members welcomed the good news that the number of households in nightly booked temporary accommodation had fallen, due to the enormous work of staff and in particular the Trail Blazer Programme which recognises the need to intervene before people become homeless. Councillor Ward welcomed the central government programme but was concerned with the impact when funds are withdrawn in 18 months. Members were told that the Council recognises the need to work with landlords, employers by intervening early on issues such as universal credit, rent plan etc, all measures that will mitigate homelessness. It was noted that a main reason for homelessness was the end of an assured shorthold tenancy.

·         In response to a question of young people trained with multi skills to be involved in repairs especially for elderly tenants, the Service Director , Homes and Communities advised that the Councils’ apprentices placed within the Council’s repair services carry out remedial works such as removal of trip hazards while in a property but are not responsible for repairs of internal doors.

·         In response to the possible use of the Community centres during winter, meeting was informed that legislation requires all authorities to open doors of community centres for homelessness called Severe Weather Emergency Protocol. A suggestion that a top ten list of how to prevent repairs be printed on documentation sent to residents was noted.

·         A request that Officers separate the present combined performance reporting of gas servicing from repairs was noted. There was concern that considering gas repairs is carried out once in a year, one and not 3 to 5 reminder letter was sufficient especially as in most cases it could be due to residents work commitments. A suggestion on whether gas servicing could be done in a flexible way was noted.

·         The meeting was informed that for future meetings, Partners Performance reports will not only include figures but include examples of the quality of works carried out.

RESOLVED:

That the progress against key performance indicators to the end of Quarter 4 2017/18 be noted.