Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Phil Smith.

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 to consider.

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.

Moved by Councillor Vicky Wapplington and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Customer Services Scrutiny Committee held on 20^th November 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).

Moved by Councillor Vicky Wapplington and seconded by Councillor Louise Fox

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

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer presented the draft Private Sector Housing Strategy 2024-2027. The draft Strategy and a Delivery Plan were attached to the report at Appendices 1 and 2.

The report explained that during 2019 a desktop survey had been undertaken to assess the condition of private sector housing across Derbyshire.  This survey established that the Council had complex housing issues within the private rented sector.  As a result, it had been agreed to develop private sector housing strategies to help engage with the private sector, to improve the quality of accommodation, develop good management practices and reduce homelessness.

A Member of the Committee commented that a common complaint was that the Council focussed on landlords and not the tenants and it was therefore helpful that this strategy was clear about who was responsible for various issues.  It was also noted that some of the main issues reported to Councillors were around repairs.

In answer to a question about how to address landlords who were not part of the scheme, the Housing Strategy and Development Officer confirmed that work was being undertaken to update the information it held on landlords but if Councillors became aware of new landlords they could signpost them to the Housing Team.  It was also reported that once the Strategy had been approved by Executive there would be a launch event, newsletters twice a year and a landlords’ forum.

Moved by Councillor Vicky Wapplington and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner

RESOLVED that (1) the proposed Strategy and Delivery Plan, as reviewed by the Committee, be noted and all comments made be considered by officers as part of the consultation.

(2) the Committee considered that the proposals would meet the desired outcomes, with any amendments as necessary following consultation, and the Strategy be recommended to Executive for approval.

Committee considered its current work plan for 2023/24.

Moved by Councillor Amanda Davis and seconded by Councillor Vicky Wapplington

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2023/24 be noted.