Agenda item

To effectively manage tenancies and the environment in our communities.

The Housing Manager introduced the report and explained the role of Stroud District Council (SDC) as a landlord within the policy. The Housing Manager drew Members attention to the feedback they had received from tenants, including the lack of enforcement action taken. She informed the Committee that enforcement action was taken when it was needed however, it was a very long process and didn’t yield immediate results.

She talked the Committee through the key changes to the policy which included:

·         Community involvement.

·         Co-opted Tenant Representatives to further ensure tenant views are represented.

·         Promoting a Green Champion.

·         Home contents insurance.

·         Rechargeable repairs.

·         Independent living hubs.

In response to Councillor Green, the Housing Manager explained that there were a number of property inspections that took place including:

·         Stock condition survey, which is part of a 3-5 year plan.

·         Pre-determination inspection, which is arranged before a tenant moves out of the property.

·         Regular tenancy audit, these were not currently taking place due to the high demands on work load however, these were completed when there had been an issue or concern raised with the property or the tenant.

In response to a further question from Councillor Green, the Housing Manager informed the committee that it was the tenants responsibility to take out a home contents insurance policy and they advertised this frequently to tenants.

The Strategic Director of Communities informed the Committee there were further property inspections that were routinely completed on SDC properties which were statutory inspections such as gas inspections.

The Housing Manager clarified the terms and roles of the tenant groups such as:

·         Tenant Voice Representatives who sit on the Housing Committee and can voice the concerns of the tenants.

·         Neighbourhood Ambassadors who work with SDC to put papers together and feed back to the community.

·         Tenant repairs inspectors who look at the works completed after a repair and feedback to SDC.

·         Focus Groups are for tenants and local residents who wish to be involved short term. Tenants in these groups can often be referred to as involved tenants or tenant representatives.

·         Green Champions who will try to look after the community and gardens and encourage other tenants to recycle.

Councillor Schoemaker raised a typographical issue with paragraph 7.8 in appendix A, the first sentence should have read ‘on a street, neighbourhood or estate’. The Housing Manger agreed to include the word ‘on’. 

The Chair suggested a visual ‘family tree’ to explain the roles of tenants could be helpful, it was agreed that this could be put together.

The Housing Manager provided the following answers in response to questions:

·       Tenant Repair Inspectors would be working solo once the programme was started up again. Introductions to the tenant would be completed prior to the checks and any tenants involved would be DBS checked before taking up their relevant roles.

·         If there were issues on SDC estates regarding private owners, SDC would liaise with environmental health to assess the situation and take legal action if necessary. SDC’s Anti-Social Behaviour and Enforcement Officer was also trained to issue Community Protection Notices (CPN’s) as can Environmental Health Officers.

The Head of Contract Services answered a question raised by Councillor Housden around Void properties. He confirmed that there were 3 different time scales to work to in order to fill the properties and these would vary depending on the type of void. He informed the Committee he could provide exact figures outside of the meeting if they requested them.

In response to a question from Councillor Green the Housing Manager Stated that CCTV was allowed for tenants to record their own property however, recording other properties or communal areas was not allowed. Councillor Green requested more specifics to be included around the rules of Tenants putting up their own CCTV.

In response to Councillor Patricks question, the Housing Manager explained how hoarding issues were dealt with. She explained these issues took a long time to resolve as they would need to first establish whether the tenant would engage with SDC or with their support mechanisms. Often they would need to try and find mental health support. She informed the committee that they were dealing with one such case which had already exceeded 18 months’ worth of work and was still ongoing.

Councillor Patrick also questioned how the cleaning operatives were reviewed. The Housing manger explained that 50% of the blocks that are not cleaned due to a historical decision to allow tenants to take over. She also informed the committee that the cleaning completed is of a basic standard and the community services officers inspect the blocks that are cleaned. Councillor Patrick suggested that further training could be provided for the cleaners.

Councillor Davis spoke of an issue she had been made aware of regarding the breeding and selling of dogs in an SDC property. It was agreed to be followed up by the Housing Manager outside of the meeting.

Councillor Miles proposed and Councillor Schoemaker seconded.

After being put to a vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: a) To adopt the revised Tenancy & Estate Management policy.

b)   To give delegated authority to the Head of Housing Services, in consultation with the Chair & Vice Chair of Housing Committee to make minor amendments as necessary.