Agenda item

Councillors R.M. Hannaford (Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Involvement) and Councillor G.N. Sheldon (Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure) will present a verbal report on the priorities for the forthcoming year in light of the Committee’s work programme.

Councillor Bowkett declared a personal interest as Committee Member on the Synergy Housing Board (Astor Homes) and as an employee of Exeter Council for Voluntary Services.

Councillor Hannaford declared a personal interest as his parents had brought their property under the ‘right to buy’ scheme.

Councillor Mottram declared a personal interest as his company undertakes work for Parkwood Leisure.

Councillor Hannaford presented the priorities within the Housing and Community Involvement Portfolio for the forthcoming year. The report is attached to these minutes.

The following responses were given to Members’ questions:-

• there were sites and parts of sites within the city with planning approval that had not yet been built on, the Council would work with developers to bring these sites forward
• the Council had a policy that required 5% of all new housing development to be Disability Discrimination Act compliant
• work was on-going to prevent residents becoming homeless
• the Council policy was for 35% affordable housing on new development wherever possible
• would work with and support the County Council in the development of the 150 Extra-Care bed units
• would discuss with officers and talk to Oxford City Council Portfolio Holder with regards to their Additional Licensing Scheme in respect of private sector HMO properties
• would explore the feasibility of having a private tenant led organisation to assist in improving standards in private sector rented properties
• would intervene to reduce the impact of Welfare Reform on residents; it could potentially affect up to 70 families within the city
• was not against the ‘right to buy’ scheme if the Council could keep 100% of the receipts to enable reinvestment in the development of new affordable housing; at present, the Council would only be able to replace one house for every three/four sold under the scheme
• the solar panels had already been installed; this was at no cost to the Council
• the Residential Park Forum had met twice and there was a strong desire to build upon this initial work
• the new Exeter Board, a Joint Committee of City and County Councillors had replaced the old County Committee and would provide a more joined up and effective way of working to resolve community and housing issues within the city
• previously the council were required by law to operate an ‘open register’ for people in housing need; people's priority was by their needs and they would then be appropriately banded; local family and work connections were taken into account.                                                                                     

The Housing Operations Manager clarified that the number of people accepted as homeless in the last fours years had decreased.

Councillor Sheldon presented the priorities within the Environment and Leisure Portfolio for the forthcoming year. The report is attached to these minutes.

The following responses were given to Members’ questions:-

• the system review was being undertaken by Vanguard and staff led
• works had been undertaken on the Heavitree Park paddling pool last year and further works were now required; a consultation with local residents was due to take place shortly on the upgrading of the facilities at St Thomas, it would have to close if it was not refurbished
• the review of the parking enforcement and community patrol teams would provide a more flexible service; a report detailing the changes would come to this Committee in due course, staffing levels were anticipated to remain the same
• the Flowerpot Skate park was greatly used and was showing signs of wear; the wooden ramps would be replaced with harder wearing concrete ramps
• there was no budget to build new parks; although Section 106 monies were used to build play areas on new developments
• Devon County Council as the disposal authority deals with the waste that was collected by the Council, and all such waste including food waste was currently planned to be sent to the new Energy from Waste plant being built in Marsh Barton; so there would be no justification for a separate collection of food waste at present. However, a joint bid for government funding was being prepared with other Local Authorities in Devon, which would propose some separate food waste collection
• would pro-actively manage the Council’s fleet this year to reduce its overall carbon footprint
• bi-weekly refuse collections successfully encouraged residents to recycle, and specific partnership work was carried out with others such as the University, in order to encourage residents including students to manage and reduce their waste
• the Council was committed to improving air quality although the management of traffic, which was the main cause of the poor air quality in Exeter, was primarily a county council responsibility
• had seen some changes in the demographic of HMO’s since the increase in the availability of purpose built student accommodation
• it was not compulsory for food businesses (cafés/restaurants, etc.) to display their Food Hygiene Rating Scheme score; would publicise the scheme in the next edition of ‘the Citizen’
• an example of working with partner agencies and business to reduce alcohol-fuelled anti-social-behaviour would be the newly formed Exeter Night Time Economy Forum
• RAMM was one of only four museums in the UK still in the running to win the Art Fund prize and the prestigious title of 'Museum of the Year'
• the plans for the swimming pool were at the feasibility stage and a full consultation would be undertaken; it was hoped that the Pyramids pool would be able to stay open until a new pool had been completed
• a capital bid for the works to the athletics track had been submitted for 2013/14.

The Assistant Director Environment advised that:

• to encourage taxi proprietors to replace their taxis with vehicles with lower emissions, a policy would be introduced which would link charges to emissions;
• food business proprietors who were not satisfied with their Food Hygiene Rating Scheme score could register their reasons on the national web-site, and request a re-inspection, although very few had done so.

The Committee congratulated the officers at RAMM on reaching the final four for the Art Fund prize and the title of 'Museum of the Year'.

Scrutiny Committee - Community noted the achievements and priorities presented.