Agenda item

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to provide a report for Members to comment and approve the Housing Asset Management Plan (HAMP)

The Head of Place and Regeneration submitted a report for members to comment and approve the Housing Asset Management Plan.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration noted that in 2013, members approved the first HAMP as the structure for projects and initiatives up to 2017. This has now been refreshed for the period 2018-22 for the long-term management of land and property assets.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration noted the achievements of the first HAMP (Appendix A) such as

1)    Ten new affordable homes which all have sustainable tenants.

2)    Restructuring the Asset Management Team to build capacity and specialism.

3)    Meeting the decent homes standard.

4)    Works to address negative net present value at Granby House and Beckmill Court.

5)    A plan for all archetypes of non-traditional properties  .

6)    A move to a price per property model and re-procurement of maintenance contract .

7)    Aids and adaptations.

 

The Granby House redevelopment that was prioritised by members is complete and Beckmill due to be complete later this year.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration noted that as a result of the staff re-structure and Peer Challenge, this document is subject to a prioritisation process, as was recommended across the Council in order for officers to best utilise capacity and resources. Priorities could include (3.11):

·         New housing growth

·         Supporting vulnerable people

·         Working in priority neighbourhoods

·         Delivering a balanced housing market

·         Greater ROI

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration outlined some of the projects within the HAMP 18-22

 

Beckmill Court – £2.3m internal and external works to re-generate whole estate and Fairmead – total of £4.8m needed for extra care. Some external fund is available: £25m over five years. Every £1m equates to 12 jobs so there is economic benefit to planned refurbishments.

 

It was noted that members will be asked to prioritise projects.

 

A member noted visiting sites and was pleased with works, however concerned over action residents behaviour in the future after all this investment.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration noted that as HAMP is developed, work will be done with tenants and with re-structure of people services tenant behaviour can be monitored more closely.

 

A member asked about plans to improve Chapel St. flats. Most tenants are elderly and the flooring in unsuitable and flats need painting.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration noted that roofing is being looked at and all communal areas will be looked at within the budget as part of a cyclical maintenance structure.

 

A member noted that re-running of the report from 2013 may mean that projects are stagnating such as garage sites. The staffing was highlighted as a priority to address. Also, Objective 6 in Appendix A to build 30 new homes in the next five years is an insufficient rate.

 

The Head of Place and Regeneration advised that since the ten new homes were built, this Committee prioritised Granby and Beckmill projects which are complete or on schedule, respectively. When prioritisation exercise is complete, if new builds are a priority then that will determine where resources go.

 

The Strategic Housing Officer noted that some builds were delayed due to lack of grant funding at Fairmead and so other factors need to be taken into consideration when looking at redevelopment time scale.

 

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder. All members were in favour.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)  Member made comment and approved the Housing Asset Management Plan 2018/2022.

(2)  Members approved the HRA capital programme up to 2022.