Decision - Housing Management Performance Report Quarter 4 and end of year 2013/14

22.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director  Environment, Development and Housing which set out the performance for quarter 4 of the financial year 2013/14, alongside end year results.    Benchmarking figures for the year were provided separately as Appendix 1.   The report was presented by the Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement.  

22.2    Councillor Wilson noted a striking increase in rent arrears and said she would like to see comparative data.  The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement stated that she would try to obtain more comparative data.  However, she stressed that the profile of groups changed and she was not sure how much useful information could be obtained from previous groups.

22.3    Councillor Mears asked for more information about average re-let times, average percentage of repairs completed right first time, and percentage of empty properties passing post inspection.  Councillor Mears expressed concern about delays in replacing lights in blocks and asked for more information about anti-social behaviour. 

22.4    The Head of Income & Improvement referred to average re-let times.   She explained that some sheltered properties were hard to let.  The performance was affected by one particular property that had been empty for 5 years.

22.5    The Partnering Business Manager referred to the percentage of repairs completed right first time.  He explained that officers were developing a measure to identify repairs completed in one visit.  This information would be shared in future reports.  

22.6    The Head of Income Involvement and Improvement explained that it had been agreed not to give further information on the percentage of empty properties passing post inspection.  However this information could be included in future reports.   The Partnering Business Manager explained that each property was reported to the Partnering Group.  3 properties failed.  Officers wanted to see a robust quality of jobs carried out.  Contractors would be challenged about this matter.

22.7    The Head of Income Involvement & Improvement referred to the question relating to emergency light replacement.   11 lights had not been replaced in one day.  They had been replaced the following day.  The delay would be addressed.   Meanwhile, officers tried to resolve anti-social behaviour without taking legal action.  There had been legal action in which 2 or three people were evicted in 8 cases out of 500.  Some cases had involved anti-social behaviour orders.

22.8    Councillor Daniel referred to the rent arrears table in Appendix 2.  She noted that the welfare reforms were leading to people getting into arrears.

22.9    The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement explained that residents who were struggling financially would be referred to the Money Advice and Community Support Service (MACS).   

22.10  RESOLVED – (1) That the report, which was submitted to the Area Panels in July 2014, be noted.

(2)               That the above comments be noted.