Issue - items at meetings - Access to Housing Services - Housing Office Accommodation Strategy

37.1         RESOLVED –

(1) That Housing Committee approves the Resident Access Strategy set out in sections 4.2 to 4.4 of this report.

(2) That Housing Committee approves the following Changes based on the Resident Access Strategy:

(i) Closure of the Selsfield Drive Housing Office and relocation of services to the Oxford Street Housing Office by the end of 2013/14

(ii) Removal of cash desks from the housing offices in 2014/15 once all residents who currently use this facility have been given advice and support to change to other payment methods.

(3) That Housing Committee approves that, once vacated, the Selsfield Drive Housing Office be demolished in order to be redeveloped, subject to planning consent, for new homes under Phase 2 of the New Homes for Neighbourhoods estate regeneration programme.

37.1         The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Environment Development and Housing on Access to Housing Services. The report was presented by Ms H Edgar, Housing Service Operations Manager.

37.2         Councillor Morgan thanked officers for the report and commended officers for the consultation which had taken place for Manor Place, but said he had some concern over the level of engagement undertaken on this matter.

37.3         Councillor Farrow said he would like to know what tenant reps thought about the proposals. He said he was supportive of new homes being built on the site, but at the same time wanted to ensure that proper services were provided for tenants. It had been suggested that some of the Housing Office functions be moved to the nearby library, but with the budget cuts that could be at risk. Councillor Farrow said he wanted proper housing services to be available within the Lewes Road corridor.

37.4         Councillor Fitch said that if the Committee agreed the recommendations it would provide an opportunity for development. Officers should look at both Moulsecoomb Library and Hall, as there could be an opportunity for more homes to be built.

37.5         The Chair agreed that the site could provide a range of opportunities and a housing office could be built within a development. This was a key site which could provide more homes. The Chair advised the Committee that he had received an email from Mr D Murtagh supporting the proposal of building 24 new homes on this site.

37.6         Councillor Mears said she felt it was important to remember that the Housing Office was for the benefit of tenants.

37.7         Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to paragraph 5.7, and asked how many tenants paid their rent in cash via pay Point. Officers said they didn’t have the information with them but it could be provided after the meeting.

37.8         RESOLVED –

(1) That Housing Committee approves the Resident Access Strategy set out in sections 4.2 to 4.4 of this report.

(2) That Housing Committee approves the following Changes based on the Resident Access Strategy:

(i) Closure of the Selsfield Drive Housing Office and relocation of services to the Oxford Street Housing Office by the end of 2013/14

(ii) Removal of cash desks from the housing offices in 2014/15 once all residents who currently use this facility have been given advice and support to change to other payment methods.

(3) That Housing Committee approves that, once vacated, the Selsfield Drive Housing Office be demolished in order to be redeveloped, subject to planning consent, for new homes under Phase 2 of the New Homes for Neighbourhoods estate regeneration programme.