Issue - meetings

This report is due to be pre-scrutinised at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee scheduled to take place on Monday 13^th January 2025.  Any recommendations arising from this meeting will be published in a supplementary pack for the consideration of the Executive Committee.

The Interim Housing Property Services Manager presented the report on the subject of Damp and Mould Additional Resources.

The Committee were informed that this was a national issue and not just a local one and establishing a Damp and Mould Team would put the Authority ahead of the curve.

Members were referred to the business case in the appendix and the officer noted that as the report outlined, investing in a damp and mould team aligned with the Council's commitment to providing safe and habitable homes for residents.

Members welcomed the report, and the Leader noted the responsibility for the Council to look after its residents and that this was a good way forward. Particularly if education was included which had been discussed at the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

The Portfolio Holder took the opportunity to thank officers for their work and echoed the Leader’s comments adding that even though some properties were more susceptible to mould and damp, the expertise of the new team would reduce response times, increase the safety of residents and save money in the long run.

The Leader also thanked the Officers and commented that the Council was leading the way.

 RESOLVED that

1)       Subject to approval of recommendation 2, Members approve the contents of the Damp and Mould Business Case and the establishment of a Damp and Mould Team.

RECOMMENDED that

2)       £115,770 be released from the HRA budget for the financial year 2024/25 to cover the costs of the new team and that thereafter the costs summarised at paragraph 4.3 of the report of £463,078 be met from the HRA budget.