Agenda item

The Chairman of Scrutiny Committee to submit a report detailing the findings of the review carried out by the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group for Housing Voids Management and Temporary Accommodation..  The Task and Finish Group have proposed a number of recommendations which have been approved by the Scrutiny Committee for recommendation to Cabinet.

Cabinet APPROVED the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group – housing Voids Management and Temporary Accommodation, subject to some minor amendments as detailed below.

Cabinet APPROVED:

1)    A review of the voids module within the Northgate Housing Management System is undertaken and recommendations proposed to Senior Leadership Team as to how an improved system can be implemented along with revenue expenditure required. 

2)    To consult tenants in relation to the implementation of a Golden Goodbye scheme that incentivises tenants to return their home in a good standard that in turn reduces void time and void costs to Melton Borough Council.

Subject to the outcomes of this consultation, to introduce the Golden Goodbye Scheme on a temporary basis for one year after which time continuation of the scheme to depend on the evaluation of outcomes and success factors.

3)    The development of a framework that includes TFEC in the monthly monitoring of voids and includes a written protocol from both parties so as to clarify expectations.

4)    To reduce, with the aim of eliminating, use of private Bed and Breakfasts by introducing alternatives with options developed by officers for consideration by Cabinet by the end of July 2020.

5)    To review contract arrangements with contractors to ensure sufficient quality and control and explore the potential to move to a single trusted contractor to manage all aspects of voids work.

6)    A review of the Allocations Policy by July 2020.

7)    The development and implementation of a new Voids Policy by July 2020.

8)    The implementation of new Tenant visits on occupation and again after 6 weeks.

9)    To provide an interim report to Scrutiny Committee in July 2020 detailing progress against recommendations and a full report in January 2021 to evidence the impact of improvements.

Reason for the decision

Following careful evaluation of the evidence, the Task and Finish Group believe that the recommendations contained within the final report will ensure that alternative, more cost effective options for Temporary Accommodation are explored and void times are significantly reduced. The Group are confident that if these recommendations are accepted and implemented they will lead to better outcomes for tenants and prospective tenants and also have a positive impact on the Council’s financial position.

At their meeting on 7 January 2020 the Scrutiny Committee approved that the report and the recommendations should be forwarded to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet agreed with the outcomes of the Task and Finish Group Report subject to some minor amendments to the proposed recommendations in light of the management response provided at Appendix B of the report.

KEY DECISION

Councillor Pat Cumbers, Scrutiny Chairman, introduced the report, highlighting that the task and finish group had been careful to remain within the scope and purpose of the review.  They had taken care to build a sound evidence base before jumping to conclusions about the problems and how they might be solved.  The Group were also aware through the review that changes and improvements were already happening in parallel to the work of the Group and that it was clear that Officers and Members alike were keen to see changes in the delivery of services in these areas.

The evidence collated was empirical, current, and based on up to date statistics and performance measures, thanks to the numerous internal and external officers and stakeholders who assisted with the research. The proposals for improvement put forward in the report were based on the evaluation of the evidence and had been endorsed by Scrutiny Committee.

During discussion the following points were noted:

• Members congratulated the Task and Finish Group on the report and thanked them for the work that had gone into it;
• The Leader proposed some small amendments to some of the recommendations to take account of the management response, Cabinet were in favour of those amendments.  The Scrutiny Chairman was also content with the minor variations. The amended recommendations are detailed in the decision below;
• The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities had been provided with a copy of the report following approval by the Scrutiny Committee;
• Members were supportive of introducing the Golden Goodbye on a trial basis and were aware that it had worked in some Council’s and not in others.  The Chief Executive confirmed that the introduction of any new scheme would require monitoring and evaluation of outcomes in order to establish whether it was successful and met the intended objectives.  Members agreed that any introduction of a Golden Goodbye Scheme should be on a trial basis.

DECISION

Cabinet APPROVED the report and recommendations of the Task and Finish Group – housing Voids Management and Temporary Accommodation, subject to some minor amendments as detailed below.

Cabinet APPROVED:

1)    A review of the voids module within the Northgate Housing Management System is undertaken and recommendations proposed to Senior Leadership Team as to how an improved system can be implemented along with revenue expenditure required. 

2)    To consult tenants in relation to the implementation of a Golden Goodbye scheme that incentivises tenants to return their home in a good standard that in turn reduces void time and void costs to Melton Borough Council.

Subject to the outcomes of this consultation, to introduce the Golden Goodbye Scheme on a temporary basis for one year after which time continuation of the scheme to depend on the evaluation of outcomes and success factors.

3)    The development of a framework that includes TFEC in the monthly monitoring of voids and includes a written protocol from both parties so as to clarify expectations.

4)    To reduce, with the aim of eliminating, use of private Bed and Breakfasts by introducing alternatives with options developed by officers for consideration by Cabinet by the end of July 2020.

5)    To review contract arrangements with contractors to ensure sufficient quality and control and explore the potential to move to a single trusted contractor to manage all aspects of voids work.

6)    A review of the Allocations Policy by July 2020.

7)    The development and implementation of a new Voids Policy by July 2020.

8)    The implementation of new Tenant visits on occupation and again after 6 weeks.

9)    To provide an interim report to Scrutiny Committee in July 2020 detailing progress against recommendations and a full report in January 2021 to evidence the impact of improvements.

Reason for the decision

Following careful evaluation of the evidence, the Task and Finish Group believe that the recommendations contained within the final report will ensure that alternative, more cost effective options for Temporary Accommodation are explored and void times are significantly reduced. The Group are confident that if these recommendations are accepted and implemented they will lead to better outcomes for tenants and prospective tenants and also have a positive impact on the Council’s financial position.

At their meeting on 7 January 2020 the Scrutiny Committee approved that the report and the recommendations should be forwarded to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet agreed with the outcomes of the Task and Finish Group Report subject to some minor amendments to the proposed recommendations in light of the management response provided at Appendix B of the report.

--o0o--

Councillor Pat Cumbers left the meeting and did not return.

--o0o--