Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors David Dixon and Rita Turner.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable

Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the

Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a) any business on the agenda

b) any urgent additional items to be considered

c) any matters arising out of those items and if appropriate, withdraw

from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on 13^th February 2023.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Customer Services Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th February 2023 be approved as a correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List

of Key Decisions for any further information. NB: If Members wish to

discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to

move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with

the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local

Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the

meeting only).

Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Rose Bowler

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document be noted.

The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement and the Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Manager provided Members with a progress update on delivery of the Housing Strategy 2021-24.

Since the last report, the Joint Housing Strategy Team with North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) had been disestablished and ceased to operate on 30^th November 2022, with its staff remaining with NEDDC.  From 1^st December 2022 onwards, the duties of the former Joint Team had been transferred to the Council’s Housing Management Team and Planning Policy Team, with the general split being as follows:

a)         Housing Management Team – to undertake duties relating to homelessness, rough sleeping, private sector lettings and tenancy strategy.

b)         Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Team – to undertake duties relating to the preparation of strategic housing policies, housing stock analysis and work on empty homes.

Officers noted that at the Chair’s request they had adapted the action plan to show historic progress and added the status of each action (RAG status).  Specific areas of note/query were as follows:

Priority 1, Aim 4 – Making best use of the Council’s Housing Stock

Work was due to progress from early May 2023, post-election, to commence the periodic review of the Allocations Policy.

Priority 1, Aim 5 – Private Rented Sector

A Landlords Forum event was held on 1^st March 2023, with Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) and NEDDC, and had been well attended.  Legislation changes were expected in the short-term to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) which would require private landlords to bring stock up to the required standards.  There was now additional support available for landlords to help their tenants to apply for Universal Credit.  The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) were also providing support due to the cost of living crisis to both tenants and landlords supporting tenants.

A Councillor queried how the Council was engaging with Housing Associations and noted that they were having issues with one specific local provider, who were not engaging over local resident issues.  The Planning Policy and Housing Strategy Manager noted that as part of the handover from the Joint Team, the Council had received a contact list of all registered providers in the area.  Meetings were being arranged to introduce the new team and establish what support they required and to ensure they were engaged with the new service.  Officers would check the list for their details and follow-up and would welcome contacts/suggestions from Members where issues had arisen.

Councillors commented that they would like to see all private landlords charging affordable rents rather than extortionate rents, above market rate, which were beyond the capacity of those who relied on the rented sector.

A Councillor queried the extent of issues with damp and mould within the area and whether private landlords were also dealing with this.  The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement noted that from 2024 the regulations in relation to EPCs would change.  There would be a significant focus on private rented accommodation being improved to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CS52-21/22

Committee considered their proposed work programme for 2022/23, and noted this meeting was the last meeting of the municipal year.

Moved by Councillor Rose Bowler and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2022/23 be approved and noted.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)