Issue - meetings

To report on the actual expenditure for the Decent Homes Capital Programme and Housing Roofing Repairs.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

1)        approval be given for the reallocation of £200,000 funding from the Decent Homes capital budget to commence a programme of essential roof replacements;

2)        £50,000 additional revenue funding for roofing repairs be approved from the HRA reserve for this year 2009/10 and 2010/11; and

RESOLVED that, if approved,

3)        approval be given to incur up to the expenditure detailed in 1) above, in accordance with Standing Order 41; and

4)        the contents of the report relating to budget spend for Year 2 of the programme (2008/9) and budget and programme of works for 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 be noted.

Officers presented a report that set out requests for the reallocation of a part of the Decent Homes budget for 2007-12 and for additional revenue funding for essential roofing repairs.

There had been an overspend on roofing repairs during Year 2 of the Programme (last year) and, in addition, works in part of the town had identified that a number of roofs could no longer be sustained by reactive repairs and were in need of replacement. The money for the proposed programme of the replacement of roofs had been identified through negotiating savings with the Council’s contractors given the current financial climate and the consequent downturn in costs for materials. The additional money required for the day to day roofing repairs was to be found from HRA reserves.

The Committee acknowledged that the additional spending was required given the poor condition of roofs to Council homes in some areas. There was broad agreement that spending on the envelopes of Council properties was a sensible and prudent long-term investment. The proposal to carry out comprehensive works including gutters, soffits and fascias whilst scaffolding was in place was welcomed by Members. There was discussion as to the possibility of incorporating contemporary technology such as alternative building materials and photo-voltaic cells into these new roofing schemes. Officers confirmed that they were actively exploring such opportunities where they arose but that there were generally significant additional and consequential costs arising from such enhancements. The biggest issue throughout the town was identified as the existence of substantial numbers of solid-walled properties.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        approval be given for the reallocation of £200,000 funding from the Decent Homes capital budget to commence a programme of essential roof replacements;

2)        £50,000 additional revenue funding for roofing repairs be approved from the HRA reserve for this year 2009/10 and 2010/11; and

RESOLVED that, if approved,

3)        approval be given to incur up to the expenditure detailed in 1) above, in accordance with Standing Order 41; and

4)        the contents of the report relating to budget spend for Year 2 of the programme (2008/9) and budget and programme of works for 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 be noted.