Agenda, decisions and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Allnatt.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 were confirmed.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The following items have been referred from Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules:

·       Preparing for Regulatory Change (Housing)

·       Cattle Market Leases

·       Scrutiny feedback on Preparing for Regulatory Change (Housing).

·       Scrutiny feedback on Cattle Market Leases.

Cabinet AGREED to have regard for Scrutiny Committee’s feedback.

In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the following items had been referred from the Scrutiny Committee:

·       Scrutiny feedback on Preparing for Regulatory Change (Housing).

·       Scrutiny feedback on Cattle Market Leases.

Scrutiny feedback on Preparing for Regulatory Change (Housing)

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Mike Brown, introduced the report, advising members the Scrutiny Committee had met on 21 September 2023 and considered the report on Preparing for Regulatory Change (Housing).

The Deputy Leader thanked the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee for the feedback and stated that she considered the feedback to be a balanced and fair assessment of how the regulatory change in housing would affect the Council.

Cabinet AGREED to have regard for Scrutiny Committee’s feedback.

Scrutiny feedback on Cattle Market Leases

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Mike Brown, introduced the report, advising members the Scrutiny Committee had met on 21 September 2023 and considered the report on the Cattle Market Leases.

In responding to the feedback, the Deputy Leader wanted to assure the Scrutiny Committee that all options in relation to car parking are to be reviewed.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources stated that the lease arrangements at the Cattle Market were inherited and that going forward the rents would be reviewed with the aim to maximise income for the Council. She added that all options on managing the site would be explored and evaluated.

Cabinet AGREED to have regard for Scrutiny Committee’s feedback.

A report updating Members on the Intensive Housing Management Service Review, setting out a number of recommendations and updating on the implementation of the revised support arrangements at Gretton Court, the Council’s Extra Care Scheme.

Cabinet

(1)            NOTED the findings of the review of the Intensive Housing Management

Service (IHMS).

(2)            AUTHORISED the removal of the IHMS charge for tenants in dispersed

accommodation who have confirmed during the initial consultation phase that they wish to leave the service.

(3)            AUTHORISED the removal of the IHMS charge for tenants in dispersed accommodation for any tenants who wish to opt out of the service.

(4)            DELEGATED to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Director for Corporate Services, authority to make arrangements to remove the IHMS charge and to determine the date from which the charge is removed.

(5)            AUTHORISED

(a)           A consultation exercise with the Council’s Sheltered Housing tenants  

which provides tenants with options for assistive technology and future support arrangements and indicative costs, ensuring that any future model operates on a full cost recovery basis and;

(b)           To use the outcome of this consultation exercise to inform recommendations for future support arrangements for sheltered housing tenants, the outcome of which will be considered by Cabinet no later than January 2024.

(6)            AUTHORISED

(a)           A consultation exercise with IHMS tenants within the Council’s dispersed housing stock who have expressed a wish to access support or lifeline services, which provides tenants with options for assistive technology and future support arrangements and indicative costs, ensuring that any future model operates on a full cost recovery basis and;

(b)           To use the outcome of this consultation exercise to inform recommendations for future support arrangements for the Council’s dispersed housing tenants, the outcome of which will be considered by Cabinet no later than January 2024.

(7)            DELEGATED authority to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, to de-designate dispersed accommodation units where the IHMS charge is no longer being applied.

(8)            DELEGATED authority to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, authority to develop a local lettings plan to provide clarity on future letting arrangements for de-designated properties across the borough, ensuring alignment with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy.

The Director for Housing and Communities (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the report the purpose of which was to update Members on the Intensive Housing Management Service Review, which set out a number of recommendations and to update on the implementation of the revised support arrangements at Gretton Court, the Council’s Extra Care Scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources thanked Officers for their hard work and noted that the option to allow tenants to manage their own budgets was welcome.

Cabinet

(1)              NOTED the findings of the review of the Intensive Housing Management Service (IHMS).

(2)              AUTHORISED the removal of the IHMS charge for tenants in dispersed accommodation who have confirmed during the initial consultation phase that they wish to leave the service.

(3)              AUTHORISED the removal of the IHMS charge for tenants in dispersed accommodation for any tenants who wish to opt out of the service.

(4)              DELEGATED to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Director for Corporate Services, authority to make arrangements to remove the IHMS charge and to determine the date from which the charge is removed.

(5)              AUTHORISED a consultation exercise with the Council’s Sheltered Housing tenants which provides tenants with options for assistive technology and future support arrangements and indicative costs, ensuring that any future model operates on a full cost recovery basis and;

(5.1)    To use the outcome of this consultation exercise to inform recommendations for future support arrangements for sheltered housing tenants, the outcome of which will be considered by Cabinet no later than January 2024.

(6)              AUTHORISED a consultation exercise with IHMS tenants within the Council’s dispersed housing stock who have expressed a wish to access support or lifeline services, which provides tenants with options for assistive technology and future support arrangements and indicative costs, ensuring that any future model operates on a full cost recovery basis and;

(6.1)          To use the outcome of this consultation exercise to inform recommendations for future support arrangements for the Council’s dispersed housing tenants, the outcome of which will be considered by Cabinet no later than January 2024.

(7)              DELEGATED authority to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, to de-designate dispersed accommodation units where the IHMS charge is no longer being applied.

(8)              DELEGATED authority to the Director for Housing and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services, authority to develop a local lettings plan to provide clarity on future letting arrangements for de-designated properties across the borough, ensuring alignment with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The Council is taking positive action to review its current practises and future service delivery options in relation to the IHMS service, whilst also allowing the autonomy of those who do not wish to have access to lifeline services or support, to be able to opt out.

The review of the Intensive Housing Management Service has been a comprehensive and complex exercise. A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.