Agenda item

 Heer Matianda Baljeer, Public Health and Damian Dempsey, Housing and Adult Social Services were present for discussion of this item and during consideration of the report the following main points were made –

·         The Committee welcomed the excellent report produced

·         There is a great deal of work being carried out in Islington in terms of insulation of properties and the recent works on the Holly Park Estate were in the process of being evaluated. The Committee indicated that it would be useful if this evaluation is submitted to a future meeting of the Committee

·         The Chair referred to paragraph 7.7 of the report and queried the effectiveness of spending £2m in addressing dampness in properties and £10m in improving energy efficiency to help relieve these problems. It was stated that a more detailed breakdown of the figures could be made available

·          It was stated that there were 2 main hotspots in Islington for dampness problems, the Andover and Girdlestone Estates and problems were being addressed as part of the cyclical repair programme and by the use of surveys. It had been found that there were a number of problems that had been found particularly in relation to where garages had been converted into flats which had led to dampness problems. A combination of methods were being used to eradicate the problems and the work carried out to date had been encouraging

·         It was stated that there is a need to explain to tenants how best to operate their heating and ventilation systems efficiently, however the view was expressed that if properties were properly insulated and the design of the property is good these problems would not occur

·         In response to a question as to whether garages were still being converted into flats and whether this would not cause future problems it was stated that new garage developments had more rigorous design specifications, which had not been the case with the conversion of the Andover Road Estate garages

·         In response to a question as to whether good practice was being shared with Housing Associations and other social landlords it was stated that this currently did not take place

·         The Chair referred to paragraph 6.4 of the report and that the 2008 Islington Private Sector stock condition survey estimated that 869 owner occupied and privately rented homes had a Category 1 Damp and Mould hazard, indicating that the extent of dampness and mould growth was likely to be harmful to health. This is an estimate of those where the Council would be required to take action under the Housing Act 2004 and there are likely to be a further number of lower level Category 2 hazards. The Chair enquired whether how often the Council took action under the Housing Act 2004 and it was stated that this information would be provided to the Committee

·         A Member enquired if, when Council officers identified dampness when they went into properties, they would report this for action to be taken. It was stated that this would be investigated and reported back to Committee as to current practice but he did not think this had been done historically apart from where rainwater egress was identified

·          The view was expressed that there was a need to continually monitor the work carried out and in particular in relation to older and young people

RESOLVED:

(a)That the Director of Housing and Adult Social Services be requested to report back to the Committee as to whether Housing officers visiting properties reported dampness where it is identified

(b)That the results of the evaluation of the Holly Park Estate insulation works effectiveness be reported to the Committee when this is available

(c)That the Director of Housing and Adult Social Services be requested to report  back on how many enforcement actions had been taken against landlords as a result of the Housing Act 2004