Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking Members’ agreement to implement an amended downsizing incentive scheme for Council tenants to improve the management of the housing stock and increase the supply of family housing to applicants on the Home Choice register.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and the views of members were noted.

Councillor Edwards did not support the proposal to reduce the level of cash incentive payments which he felt would deter tenants from moving into smaller properties thereby resulting in families having to remain for longer periods in over-crowded conditions.

The Portfolio Holder Housing and Community Involvement responded that it was no longer sustainable to fund overspends on the downsizing scheme from savings within the housing revenue budget as had happened in the current and previous years.  The proposal aimed to redress the balance by providing advice and support to tenants through other means including the payment of removal fees. Further research was being undertaken to explore the many reasons why tenants chose to move.

The Chair commented that the revised policy aimed to operate a balanced and fair scheme within the current budgetary constraints.

Executive resolved to adopt the amended policy document, Reducing Under-Occupation in the Council’s Housing Stock – Incentives for Downsizing.

The report of the Head of Housing Services was submitted, seeking Members’ agreement to implement an amended downsizing incentive scheme for Council tenants to improve the management of the housing stock and increase the supply of family housing to applicants on the Home Choice register.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and the views of members were noted.

Councillor Edwards did not support the proposal to reduce the level of cash incentive payments which he felt would deter tenants from moving into smaller properties thereby resulting in families having to remain for longer periods in over-crowded conditions.

The Portfolio Holder Housing and Community Involvement responded that it was no longer sustainable to fund overspends on the downsizing scheme from savings within the housing revenue budget as had happened in the current and previous years.  The proposal aimed to redress the balance by providing advice and support to tenants through other means including the payment of removal fees. Further research was being undertaken to explore the many reasons why tenants chose to move.

The Chair commented that the revised policy aimed to operate a balanced and fair scheme within the current budgetary constraints.

RESOLVED that the amended policy document, Reducing Under-Occupation in the Council’s Housing Stock – Incentives for Downsizing, be adopted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Housing Services – report circulated

Councillor Edwards spoke on this item having given notice under Standing Order No. 44.

The Head of Housing Services presented the report seeking agreement to implement an amended downsizing incentive scheme for Council tenants to improve the management of the housing stock and increase the supply of family housing to applicants on the Home Choice register.

Councillor Edwards stated that he had received a large number of requests for support for re-housing and that the downsizing scheme was a great help in facilitating such moves. As such, he believed that greater resources should be committed to this initiative. He asked that the annual budget of £50,000 proposed to be made available within the Housing Revenue Account to make downsizing payments to tenants should be increased to £100,000. He also felt that the individual cash incentive payments should not be reduced.

Some Members supported this request and also proposed that the £20,000 identified from reserves for 2009/10 for paying removal fees only for those people still willing to move but who require some financial assistance with the actual move should be used to continue paying cash incentives to move. Other Members did not support these proposals.

The Head of Housing Services advised that the motivation of those accepting support in moving was not always known but there were many advantage for moving and the payments helped greatly with the costs and stress of the process. With regard to moves to new build only help with the cost of removal was on offer as these properties possessed new facilities. The rental for these properties was greater than for existing properties.

He outlined the implications on the overall Housing Revenue Account of increasing the figure proposed for supporting downsizing. He advised that it would be unwise to reduce this account below a working balance of £1.5 million because of the need of a reserve for emergencies. There was also a possibility that borrowing to supplement the capital budget might be necessary in future years. He explained the additional costs associated with improvements necessary to void properties.

Because of the cost implications it was not considered appropriate to seek an increase in the budget to £100,000. The recommendation to request Executive to support the use of £20,000 identified from reserves to pay cash incentives was also not supported. This would be used for paying removal fees as proposed in the report.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to adopt the amended policy document - Reducing Under-Occupation in the Council’s Housing Stock - Incentives for Downsizing.

(Report circulated)