Agenda item - Residents Question Time

Responses to items raised at the Tenant Only Meeting held on 30/11/17 

30.1    (Item 1 – Affordable Housing)

30.2    Residents stated the following statements, concerns and enquiries:

·         Residents stated that they were immensely impressed with the interior, noted that disabled access is well addressed with various specialist fittings

·         Enquired if residents will be charged a set rate regardless if they use heating or not

·         Requested a copy of the report set to be taken to committee

30.3    Officers responded to resident’s statements, concerns and enquiries with the following:

·         Noted that rents are lower than provided in the report

·         An Officer broke down the costs of rent proposed:

·         1 bedroom at £145.94 per month

·         2 bedroom at £185.40 per month

·         3 bedroom at £223.20 per month

·         Officers stated that overall the rates of running costs would be low, homes are highly sustainable and good value for money

·         Confirmed that there is a £20 per month surcharge which covers heating and ground maintenance amongst other things

·         It was further noted that a special consideration was taken to accommodate people with disabilities

·         An Officer clarified that the Housing and New Homes Program means that this year BHCC will be letting more properties

·         Noted that over 11,000 people have been removed from the register

·         Stated that the new system is much more user friendly, including  an easier application for applicants

·         Stated that officers are charged with reaching certain targets with a 5% tolerance to ensure allocation plans are met

·         It was stated that the figure for home seekers has diminished to 20% however this area was over performing  other groups

·         Stated that BHCC have help for people without access or knowledge of computers to apply for bids.

30.4    The Chair noted that the increasing number of appeals are adding to long wait times and enquired what levels of anti-social behaviour there are.  She further noted that BHCC has 2 million in funds for buying properties under right to buy.

30.5    (Item 2 – Black Boxes and Recycling in South Hawk)

30.6    Residents had the following statements, concerns and enquiries:

·         Stated discrepancy regarding vans and lorries not going through as parking is currently unregulated

·         Stated an issue regarding cars parked on corners as double yellow lines have disappeared

·         Noted that disabled tenants with children are experiencing issues regarding refuse building up in areas

30.6    Officers responded to resident’s statements, concerns and enquiries with the following:

·         Will contact City Clean manager in regards to recycling bins and to address issue of fly tipping on estates

·         Brought posters for tenant reps highlighting information on maintenance and the importance of keeping gardens and pathways clear

30.7    The Chair stated that both the issue of the lack of road markings and fly tipping must be addressed, she further confirmed that the tenancy handbook is an agreement with residents whom sign it thus constituting it as a legal document which must be enforced.

30.8    (Item 3 – Anti Social Behaviour)

30.9    AGREED – that the response was satisfactory

30.10  (3 Star West Ward - Item 5 –Review of Estate Development Budget)

30.11  AGREED – that the response was satisfactory

30.12  (Item 7 – Accessibility Issues)

30.13  A resident expressed an issue with BHCC’s choice of typeface, he specified that ‘Arial’ as difficult to read.

30.14  An Officer agreed to feed this to the BHCC Comms team

30.15  The Chair noted that it was positive that BHCC provides specific help to individuals depending on their needs

30.16  (3 Star North Ward - Item 8 – Tenancy Requirements)

30.17  AGREED – that the response was satisfactory

30.18  (Item 9 – Gardens for new tenants)

30.19  An Officer stated that there are no clear boundaries, confirmed that when people move in, fencing will already be put in place in conformity with the official boundary lines.

30.20  AGREED – that the response was satisfactory

30.21  (Item 10 – Grants to residents association)

30.22  Residents stated their scepticism due to the complex nature of the process

30.23  An Officer clarified that Resident Involvement Officers can help people with the process.

30.24  AGREED – That the response was satisfactory.