Agenda item - Residents Question Time

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Agenda item

Residents Question Time

Minutes:

33.1           1) Blocked drains

 

·       Residents stated there needed to be a planned programme of maintenance because blockages had been reported on numerous occasions and there was still no response.

 

·       Councillor Barnet noted that Hove Park Lower School suffered from flooding and there a nasty accident was likely to occur.

 

·       Residents stated there were reported problems of constant flooding at Mile oak. Residents added that these incidents arose even in the summer months.

 

·       Officers responded by saying that many of the examples were for the Highways team and reports had been forwarded to them, however problems raised today would be followed up and residents were encourages to continue reporting.

 

·       Officers stated that tenants could report repairs 24 hours a day. They could request a repair by calling freephone 0800 1814322 or their local number 01273 427690.

 

33.2               2) Major Works at Clarke Court

 

·       Residents stated that it was clear in the question that a timeframe was requested and nothing in the response indicated dates.

 

·       Officers responded that they would go back to Richard Daburn, the Surveyor & Contract Manager, to give an update on potential dates and would then be communicated back through to the Area Housing Panels.

 

33.3               3) Leaseholder charges

 

·       Residents stated that the proposed bill to leaseholders was so high due to the council not responsibly manging these properties for decades. Residents added that people did not readily have these sums of cash available even if the council had put in schemes to support leaseholders spreading the cost.

 

·       Officers responded that social housing had been underfunded over consecutive years of government cuts and was subject to the Decent Homes Standard to make properties fit for purpose. The council was trying to alleviate the costs by helping leaseholders pay the bill in an affordable way and informing tenants of the costs prior to the statutory time; however they could not undo the history of poor investment. Officers added that concerns from leaseholders were being acknowledged and addressed.

 

·       In response to residents, officers acknowledged that early notice may not be a solution; however the system needed to be as fair as possible when considering who should foot the bill. Officers added that leaseholder feedback has welcomed.

 

·       The Chair stated that for residents struggling with costs, there were schemes in place to pay over time. She added that the value of the property increased which meant costs could be recovered when the property was vacant.

 

·       Councillor Barnet stated that bills residents were receiving were more expensive than the initial price of the properties and tenants should be allowed to buy the freehold of the flat.

 

·       Officers responded that this was possible when the majority of a block was in favour which was more likely in smaller blocks. Officers added that residents should contact the Leasehold & Right to Buy team for more information on their legal rights.

 

33.4           4) Estate Development Budget – Main bids

 

·       Residents stated that it was unfair that associations were unable to bid due to the deadline shift. Residents added that the time frame of bids were fragmented as they were asked in July to propose projects for the following year when previous jobs funded through the Estate Development Budget (EDB) had not been completed.

 

·       Officers added that that the deadlines were based on gathering provisional ideas on the basis that if they still needed work, there was still time to amend them for the final bid. The audit last year said that better estimates were needed early on but it was clear that more discussion was needed on the process.

 

·       Residents raised concern on the proposal to remove fencing from the EDB and requested this be reconsidered as this funding was only applied for in necessary circumstances.

 

·       Officers responded that fencing would not be scrapped, just be funded differently and if residents were to apply through the EDB then the application would be passed to the right department.

Supporting documents:

 


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