Issue - meetings

To consider proposals further to a review of Redditch Borough Council's Sheltered Housing Stock.  To seek approval for proposed revised categories, funding of improvement works and other costs and to provide Members with an update on the action plan.

(Report attached – Appendices available in Members’ Rooms and via the Council’s Website)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the preferred options, as determined by Members, from those detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, Section 6.1 (Option A) and 6.2 (Option A) be approved;

            Section 6.1 – Chiltern House (Option A)

·        That the current older persons’ accommodation is returned to general let and that officer’s should meet with residents to discuss a sensitive approach to allocations.

·        Any current tenants affected would be offered an appointment with a dedicated officer to discuss any concerns and all relevant options would be explored. 

·        If this option is approved Officers could give further consideration to converting the communal lounge into a disabled flat or into other rentable accommodation to increase revenue.

·        That further consideration be given to converting the bedsit which is currently used as an office for the Home Support Officer into rentable accommodation to increase revenue.

            Section 6.2 – Auxerre House (Option A)

·        Opportunity for first time buyers under the Homebuy Scheme.  HomeBuy enables social tenants, key workers and first time buyers to buy a share of a home and get a first step on the housing ladder.

2)         up to £166,150.00 capital funding be approved for the essential improvement works recommended in Appendix 4 to the report;

3)         up to £31,051.00 revenue funding be approved to fund the post of Older Persons’ Housing Liaison Officer as detailed in Appendix 16 to the report and paragraph 5.5 of the report; and

RESOLVED that

4)         based on the findings of the Review of Redditch Borough Council’s Sheltered Housing, the categorisation of properties on page 11 in Appendix 2 to the report be adopted;

5)         Officers undertake a feasibility study to consider the findings and options in Appendix 2, Section 6.3 to the report and bring a further report back to Councillors within 12 months of this report;

6)         if approved, the above changes only be applied to new tenants from 1st April 2011 with all current residents keeping their tenancy, even if they do not meet the new criteria;

7)         the revised Action Plan in Appendix 3 be adopted;

8)         an additional member of staff be appointed for twelve months to facilitate the change management process (see Appendix 16); and

subject to the Council’s approval of the budgetary implications, as specified separately above, and consequent adjustment of the Capital Programme

9)         approval be given to incur up to the expenditure detailed in 2) above for the purposes detailed in the report, in accordance with Standing Order 41; and

10)      the proposals detailed above be agreed in principle but that the matter be deferred to 8th September 2010 Executive Committee to enable residents’ feedback on the specific proposals to be sought.

(The categorisation of properties on page 11 in Appendix 2 to the report is included as an appendix to this decision notice)

Officers presented a report that included the outcome of the consultation that had been undertaken following approval of the Older Person’s Housing and Support Strategy, the proposed categorisations that had flowed from the consultation and a draft action plan.

The Strategy and the work that had followed on from it sought to reduce the number of void properties, create a housing stock that better met residents’ needs and that increased the numbers of properties for general let.

Officers reported the recommendations that had been made in respect of the report by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. One of the key recommendations was the proposal that further consultation be carried out. It was noted that very extensive consultation had been carried out to date and further contact with residents was already being undertaken in respect of the proposed categorisations set out within the report. However, the suggestion was again made that, given the vulnerability of the residents, it would be beneficial to have more detailed consultation with those most affected by the proposals.

The creation of a new post to deal with the transitional arrangements was welcomed and the Committee considered the report itself to be comprehensive and worthy of plaudits. Members agreed after some discussion that, in response to the sensitivity of the situation, the measures be approved in principle, thereby allowing time for Officers to visit the various schemes and explain to the residents the implications for them of the categorisations prior to full implementation of the recommendations.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the preferred options, as determined by Members, from those detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, Section 6.1 (Option A) and 6.2 (Option A) be approved;

            Section 6.1 – Chiltern House (Option A)

·        That the current older persons’ accommodation is returned to general let and that officer’s should meet with residents to discuss a sensitive approach to allocations.

·        Any current tenants affected would be offered an appointment with a dedicated officer to discuss any concerns and all relevant options would be explored. 

·        If this option is approved Officers could give further consideration to converting the communal lounge into a disabled flat or into other rentable accommodation to increase revenue.

·        That further consideration be given to converting the bedsit which is currently used as an office for the Home Support Officer into rentable accommodation to increase revenue.

            Section 6.2 – Auxerre House (Option A)

·        Opportunity for first time buyers under the Homebuy Scheme.  HomeBuy enables social tenants, key workers and first time buyers to buy a share of a home and get a first step on the housing ladder.

2)         up to £166,150.00 capital funding be approved for the essential improvement works recommended in Appendix 4 to the report;

3)         up to £31,051.00 revenue funding be approved to fund the post of Older Persons’ Housing Liaison Officer as detailed in Appendix 16 to the report and paragraph 5.5 of the report; and

RESOLVED that

4)         based on the findings of the Review of Redditch Borough Council’s Sheltered Housing,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46