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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – That the item on Housing Repairs be scheduled for the July meeting.
AGREED i. The Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. ii. To acknowledge and thank the team processing lettings and allocations for their work. iii. Receive an update on this matter, including details of the accommodation project, in 12 months. iv. Receive a report on any proposed change to the allocations policy, pending the issuing of further Welsh Government guidance on the issue.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bryan Apsley and Graham Rogers
The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 15 February, 2023 were submitted. AGREED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 15 February, 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Article 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Councillor Claire Lovett – Agenda Item 5 – Personal – Has a family Member employed in Housing Department and self employed by Wrexham Engage as Housing Support The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon. Councillor John C Phillips – Agenda Item 5 – Personal – Has a family Member employed in Housing Department The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the item on Housing Repairs be scheduled for the July meeting.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/46/23s) asking Members to consider the Committee’s work programme. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report, referring in particular to the proposed changes as follows which were highlighted in the work programme (as attached at Appendix 1 to the report). That the item on Housing Repairs be scheduled for the July meeting. AGREED – That the item on Housing Repairs be scheduled for the July meeting.
Decision as recorded
AGREED i. The Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. ii. To acknowledge and thank the team processing lettings and allocations for their work. iii. Receive an update on this matter, including details of the accommodation project, in 12 months. iv. Receive a report on any proposed change to the allocations policy, pending the issuing of further Welsh Government guidance on the issue.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 3 above) The Lead Member for Housing, Councillor David A Bithell, submitted a report COH/13/23s providing members with information regarding the Council’s estate management and allocations functions following the centralisation of the allocations team and an update on the current level of lettings, to ensure that available resource is meeting demand. The Lead Member gave an overview of the report and in doing so referred to: The Housing Department’s housing management function which is carried out by six decentralised Estate Offices The Estate Office role is to support contract holders to sustain their tenancy, in an area that they feel safe and secure. He outlined details of the day to day work carried out at the Estate Offices and their current priorities: · Clean estates · Safe communities · Visibility of the team · Community cohesion · Tenancy sustainment The Head of Service Housing gave a presentation providing information in relation to: · Legislation · Duties of the Housing Estate Teams · The current waiting list situation and the increase and causes · Increased demands on the service Following the presentation a discussion ensued and the following points were raised: · How additional accommodation could be sourced to add to the Council’s current housing stock. · Increasing the housing stock numbers in the long term would depend on availability and budget. · Confirmation that recruitment to the team is currently taking place and there is a high turnover of staff. · Assurances were given that when a property is ready to let, the allocations team are there to offer support · Clarity was sought of the number of people on the waiting list for housing and the current figure of 4,528 was confirmed. · Concerns were raised in relation to people being discharged from hospital, particularly the length of time involved when they require a home assessment with an Occupational Therapist. · There is currently an 8 – 10 week wait for an Occupational Therapist that specialises in Housing Needs. · Rough sleepers were counted on a daily basis and at present there was one. · There are no average wait times for applicants, as each application was unique and are then subject to the availability of properties. · Applications are reviewed after 6 months, to establish if circumstances have changed. · Properties had been purchased under the “buy back” scheme and it was hoped that this can be increased if more funding becomes available. · Assurances were sought that evicting a tenant would only be carried out as a last resort. Support is provided for the contract holder to enable them to stay in their home. · Wrexham was not unique in having an increasing number of applications for housing. · Members’ attention was drawn to the Housing Allocations Process shown at Appendix 1. · Exclusions are reviewed to ascertain if such applicants can be added to the register. The Chief Officer Housing informed members that the demand for social housing is increasing and that they are currently recruiting to create a new structure for the Department. There will be a new IT/telephony systems and future changes in how the current approach to phosphates and development, could alter the available supply of property. AGREED i. The Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. ii. To acknowledge and thank the team processing lettings and allocations for their work. iii. Receive an update on this matter, including details of the accommodation project, in 12 months. iv. Receive a report on any proposed change to the allocations policy, pending the issuing of further Welsh Government guidance on the issue.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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