Issue - items at meetings - The Brighton & Hove Property Standard

59.1         RESOLVED: That the Housing Committee approves that:

(i)                 That all residents be offered additional choice of coloured wall tiles, when having a kitchen or bathroom installed.

(ii)               That all residents be offered additional choice of kitchen cupboard doors and handles when having a new kitchen installed.

(iii)             That a change in policy is agreed to allow tenants who have installed their own kitchen or bathroom to have the other room modernised by the council, if its old or in disrepair (as per the age and condition requirements of the governments DHS).

(iv)              To run a twelve moth pilot enabling all one bed ground floor flats that become empty and require a bathroom replacement, to be considered for the installation of a level access shower instead of a bath.     

59.1   The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Environment Development and Housing on the Brighton and Hove Property Standard. The report was presented by the Performance Manager, Property and Investment Team.

59.2         Councillor Mears noted that the cost of installing a hearing loop would be £7,800 with an additional annual service cost of around £55 per system and asked if that cost would impact on the service charge for residents. Officers advised there would be no impact on the service charge.

59.3         Councillor Bowden was aware that the hearing loop in Leach Court was quite old and often didn’t work. Officers advised that repairs would be carried out where required and that the equipment at Leach Court would be looked at.

59.4         Councillor Duncan referred to recommendation 2.6 in the report which said that a pilot scheme would be run for six to twelve months to consider the installation of level access showers rather than baths to all one bedroom ground floor flats when they became empty, and asked whether tenants housed in those properties could express a view on such installation after they’d moved in. Officers advised that those properties which had a level access shower installed would be ring fenced for those with mobility issues. Councillor Rufus suggested that some people with mobility issues may prefer a bath. Officers said that tenants right to have a survey undertaken to look at adaptations needed would not be removed, but this scheme would be monitored to see whether making adaptations before a tenant moved in would reduce the need for adaptations to be made at a later date.

59.5         Councillor Peltzer Dunn asked why the pilot scheme was being run for six to twelve months and not for a fixed period. Officers advised that was because they didn’t know how many properties would become empty during any given period.  Councillor Peltzer Dunn proposed that the scheme be run for an agreed twelve month period. The Chair seconded that proposal. The Committee agreed to the amendment of recommendation 2.6.

59.6         Councillor Farrow referred to recommendation 2.3 and proposed that it be reworded to state ‘That all council homes with a street entrance be fitted with an external security light, when upgrading the electrics to that property.’ Councillor Bowden seconded that proposal. The Committee agreed with the proposal but Councillor Rufus noted that the amendment would impact on the financial advice provided with the report. Officers agreed and said that a report would be provided for the next Housing Committee meeting which would set out the costs of that proposal.

59.7         Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to recommendation 2.4 and proposed that it be reworded to state ‘That all council housing schemes with a communal lounge be fitted with a working hearing loop’. Councillor Bowden seconded that proposal. The Committee agreed with the amendment. Officers suggested that as that proposal would impact on the financial information provided that a further report detailing the costs of fitting hearing loops be provided for the next meeting.

59.8         The Chair agreed and said that the Committee would consider Recommendations 2.1, 2.2, 2.5 and 2.6 at that meeting and the other two recommendations be considered at the next meeting of the Housing Committee.

59.9         RESOLVED: That the Housing Committee approves that:

(i)                 That all residents be offered additional choice of coloured wall tiles, when having a kitchen or bathroom installed.

(i)                 That all residents be offered additional choice of kitchen cupboard doors and handles when having a new kitchen installed.

(ii)               That a change in policy is agreed to allow tenants who have installed their own kitchen or bathroom to have the other room modernised by the council, if its old or in disrepair (as per the age and condition requirements of the governments DHS).

(iii)             To run a twelve moth pilot enabling all one bed ground floor flats that become empty and require a bathroom replacement, to be considered for the installation of a level access shower instead of a bath.