Agenda item - Performance Report

(copy to follow).

5.1           The Head of Income, Inclusion & Improvement presented a report that covered Housing Management Performance during Quarter 2 of the 2015/16 financial year. The Head of Income, Inclusion & Improvement stated that the table provided figures and a RAG rating system against key performance indicators adding that the intention of the report was to provide Area Panels with information on Housing services performance and, as with previous versions of the report, comments and feedback on its presentation was welcomed to improve future versions.

5.2         John Marchant stated that he had emailed the council to report fly-tipping and had been asked for more details including the postcode of the site that he felt the council should already know and was unnecessary if the road name was provided.

5.3         The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement stated that she unfortunately could not provide a response to an issue she was unaware of.

5.4         Ray Metcalfe asked if the rise in rent arrears related to the bedroom tax.

5.5         The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement stated that some of the increase in arrears was related to the Spare Bedroom Subsidy. The council had made every effort it possibly could to address this issue including a tenant incentive scheme, mutual exchange and other support.

5.6         Ray Metcalfe asked what action was taken with tenants in rent arrears.

5.7         The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement stated that the council undertook every possible action to prevent eviction and worked with the individual tenant to ensure any case did not reach court. The council employed money advice officers and promoted the work of Money Advice Plus. The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement urged representatives to refer any resident they knew to be in financial difficulty to the council.

5.8         Tracey Cox added that the introduction of Universal Credit would pose a significant challenge to residents and the council. Tracey asked if the council were working with banks to help those with a bad credit rating that could not open a bank account.

5.9         The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement replied that the council were taking preventative and preparation work for the change to Universal Credit. The Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement supplemented that the council were working closely with banks and had reached an agreement whereby some conditions of opening a bank account would be reduced.

5.10      RESOLVED- That the report be noted.