Issue - meetings

The report papers for this item can be found on pages 71-140 of the Cabinet papers from 16 February 2021 Special Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet made the following recommendations:

1.    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved

2.    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.   

3.    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4.    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5.    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.

Cllr Sutton introduced the report. Cllr Sutton then moved the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Lintill.

Cllr Sharp then proposed an addition to section 2 of the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy to read that a review of the funding requirements would be undertaken on a yearly basis by the Environment Panel and a full review of policy and funding requirements is undertaken at the end of Year 3. This was seconded by Cllr Bowden.

Cllr Sutton gave his support to the amendment.

In response to questions from Cllr Bangert Mrs Reed explained that the Disabled Facilities Grants budget is being used and the grants available have been promoted to those who qualify. With regard to category 1 hazards 9% relate to poor heating and insulation. With regard to lack of property for downsizers planning policy is governed by the HEDNA.

Cllr Plant queried what Cllr Sharp’s amendment would mean for the Environment Panel in terms of what they would do with the data. Cllr Sharp explained that the Panel would review progress.

Cllr Brown requested clarification of whether it is intended to improve fuel efficiency or raise the minimum. Mrs Reed explained that the council is trying to raise the level as far as possible.

Cllr Duncton asked members to consider the 3500 listed buildings in the district.

Members then voted virtually on Cllr Sharp’s amendment which was read out by Mrs Shepherd. The amendment was carried as follows:

RESOLVED

That progress relating to the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy be reviewed by the Environment Panel on a yearly basis.

Members then voted virtually on the substantive recommendation which was carried.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved.

2.    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.

3.    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4.    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5.    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.

The report papers for this item can be found on pages 71-140 of the Cabinet papers from 16 February 2021 Special Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet made the following recommendations:

1.    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved

2.    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.   

3.    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4.    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5.    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.

This item was deferred.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendations to Council:

1.    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved

2.    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.   

3.    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4.    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5.    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1)    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved.

2)    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.

3)    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4)    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5)    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.

Cllr Sutton introduced the item.

Mrs Reed then provided clarification on points raised by members. With regard to the publicity of electricity safety standards information was circulated via the Members Bulletin, social media, landlord database held by the council and the landlord database held by the University of Chichester. The council already requests gas safety certificates and reports gas safety concerns to the Health and Safety Executive.

With regard to paragraph 3.3 on page 72 of the agenda pack it was noted that the number of homes requiring improvement is not  comparable to the funding available. Mrs Reed explained that the Policy does provide other tools to encourage property improvement. These include supporting vulnerable applicants to apply for external funding, and also raising awareness of funding opportunities for those residents who are able to pay for improvements themselves. The  council will also continue to take advantage of any  bidding opportunities for additional funding that arise. An example of this was a recent  successful consortium bid  which provided the council with a share of the £3 million. . With regard to financial assistance which is applied as a charge on a property, the charge is revealed on sale and then recovered. All monies will be returned to the original budget and recycled for future applications.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1)    That the Housing Standards Financial Assistance and Enforcement Policy 2021-2026 set out in the appendix is approved.

2)    That the remaining existing budgets are used together with £233K, repurposed from the Affordable Housing Capital fund, to provide the financial assistance required to support this policy, as set out in 7.1, and a review of the policy and funding requirements is undertaken in year 3.

3)    That the enforcement of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities for enforcement under the new policy.

4)    That the use of monies received through the issuing of fines to be used to meet the cost and expenses incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any such enforcement work.

5)    That delegation be given to the Divisional Manager for Housing following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communications, Licensing and Events to make minor amendments to the policy as required.