Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
AGREED – (i) That the report in respect of Housing Management/Tenancy Enforcement be considered at a later date. (ii) That budget issues referred from CPR&G Scrutiny Committee be considered, if identified, at the September 2024 and March 2025 meetings. (iii) That the topic selection form in respect of Hafod Landfill Site be accepted. (iv) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/54/24s be agreed.
AGREED – (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. (ii) That the Committee recognises challenges that are faced, primarily financial, in delivering the standard. (iii) That the Lead Member continue to lobby Welsh Government for further funding to be provided to allow the standards to be met. (iv) That having been presented with a comprehensive presentation and detailed breakdown of WHQ2, the Committee recognise that this cannot be met within budget exiting budgets and will put the HRA under pressure which is not sustainable. (v) That a further update be considered at the June 2025 meeting.
AGREED – (i) That the report be noted. (ii) That the Committee receive a report back on the Allocations Policy, prior to it’s agreement, together with details of negotiations with RSLs to review existing nomination rights.
AGREED - (i) That an update report outlining progress made, including new ways of working, be considered at the October meeting. This report to also contain further information on plans to address challenges in relation to grass cutting/weed control in the 2025 growing season. (ii) That a Task and Finish Group be established to consider the issues of grass cutting/weed control and a scoping document therefore be presented to the Committee at their Meeting in July.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bryan Apsley, Carrie Harper and Robert Ian Williams
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 May, 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made:- Agenda item 5 – Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2/Implementation Plan Councillor John Phillips – Personal – The Councillor had a family Member who was employed in the Housing Department. He remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon Agenda items 5 – Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2/Implementation Plan and 6 – Accommodation Project Report Councillors Steve Joe Jones, Claire Lovett and Paul Rogers – Personal – The Councillors had a family member who was employed in the Housing Department. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – (i) That the report in respect of Housing Management/Tenancy Enforcement be considered at a later date. (ii) That budget issues referred from CPR&G Scrutiny Committee be considered, if identified, at the September 2024 and March 2025 meetings. (iii) That the topic selection form in respect of Hafod Landfill Site be accepted. (iv) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/54/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/54/24s) asking Members to consider the Committee’s work programme. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report, referring in particular to the changes since the last meeting of the Committee. AGREED – (i) That the report in respect of Housing Management/Tenancy Enforcement be considered at a later date. (ii) That budget issues referred from CPR&G Scrutiny Committee be considered, if identified, at the September 2024 and March 2025 meetings. (iii) That the topic selection form in respect of Hafod Landfill Site be accepted. (iv) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/54/24s be agreed.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. (ii) That the Committee recognises challenges that are faced, primarily financial, in delivering the standard. (iii) That the Lead Member continue to lobby Welsh Government for further funding to be provided to allow the standards to be met. (iv) That having been presented with a comprehensive presentation and detailed breakdown of WHQ2, the Committee recognise that this cannot be met within budget exiting budgets and will put the HRA under pressure which is not sustainable. (v) That a further update be considered at the June 2025 meeting.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 3 above) The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COH/25/24s) to provide Members with an overview of the new Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 – Maintaining and Improving Social Housing in Wales, and to provide details of Welsh Government’s timetable to achieve the standard. In introducing the report he made the following points: · Acknowledgement that the new Standard built on the excellent achievements of the original WHQS. · Meetings had taken place between Officers and Welsh Minister to discuss the roll out of the scheme. · Assurances were given that every effort would be made to obtain adequate funding to deliver the scheme. Officers gave a presentation to Members. A discussion ensued and the following points were highlighted: · The WHQS 2023 would be implemented from 1 April, 2024 and would be active to 2034. · The revised standard would address decarbonisation in social housing stock. It was noted that a system had been introduced to record decarbonisation details of individual properties. · A stock assessment was to be completed by March 2025 to estimate the investment required to meet all of the new WHQS scheme standards. · Concern raised by the Chair in relation to the huge shortfall of funding to meet the new standard. · Members recognised the challenges faced by the Department in relation to the timetable to achieve the revised standards and the need to liaise with Welsh Government regarding funding. · Consideration could be given to taking on newly qualified students as apprentices from Wrexham University to assist with the scheme. Assurances were given that Officers would work with the local college/university on this suggestion but it was noted that at present, they were not teaching the required skills to meet the need. · Assurances sought by Members that they would be informed of potential biodiversity changes prior to them being implemented in their wards · Confirmation that the Department would be carrying out an analysis of the EPC ratings of housing stock. · Confirmation that as properties became void, smart meters would be installed before new contract holders moved in. It was noted that they will be initially tied to that provider, but will have the option to switch at a later date. AGREED – (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for the report and related presentation. (ii) That the Committee recognises challenges that are faced, primarily financial, in delivering the standard. (iii) That the Lead Member continue to lobby Welsh Government for further funding to be provided to allow the standards to be met. (iv) That having been presented with a comprehensive presentation and detailed breakdown of WHQ2, the Committee recognise that this cannot be met within budget exiting budgets and will put the HRA under pressure which is not sustainable. (v) That a further update be considered at the June 2025 meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – (i) That the report be noted. (ii) That the Committee receive a report back on the Allocations Policy, prior to it’s agreement, together with details of negotiations with RSLs to review existing nomination rights.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 3 above) The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COH/27/24s) to update Members on the status and progress of the Accommodation Project. The report provided details on specific schemes currently proposed, ongoing and completed and demonstrated the impact the Accommodation Project was having on all relevant service areas. In introducing the report, the Lead Member informed the Committee that the project, which was set up last year, aimed to address the demand for social housing in the County Borough. The main issue facing the project was meeting demand with the available resources. As demand outstripped availability there was a requirement for additional funding together with working with all Departments and stakeholders. The Accommodation Project Manager delivered a presentation to the Committee and in doing so covered the following points: · An overview of the current situation with regard to demand. · Demand statistics · Housing Development · Social Housing Grant · Registered Social Landlords · Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme · Leasing Scheme Wales · Other Developments, including work with Council Departments · Challenges · Actions to Address Challenges · Asset Strategy The following points were raised during the presentation: · Delivery of the Accommodation Project has a cross-service approach, with all appropriate service areas allocating resources to consider a variety of options, whilst engaging with Welsh Government to explore funding opportunities and stakeholders to explore creative solutions. · The number of applicants on the waiting list in Wrexham had increased due to a number of issues including the COVID 19 pandemic, cost of living crisis, increased interest rates, the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and other legislative changes. · In January 2018 the number of applicants on the housing waiting list was 1719. In January 2024 the number of applicants had increased to 3244. This was an increase of just under 53% over the last six years. · The main objective of the Buy Back Scheme was to assist the Council in meeting and delivering its strategic housing objectives. The scheme would assist in increasing the amount of affordable housing in the area by purchasing former Council Right to Buy properties. · The Council had a good record of delivering affordable housing schemes on smaller sites. · New build projects that were within the housing development programme related to Heol Offa, Johnstown and Derwent Crescent, Wrexham. · A feasibility study had been commissioned to look at the possibility of building social housing on the former Centre 67 site in Rhosddu. Further details relating to the plans would be shared in due course. · The Social Housing Grant was the main capital grant to support affordable housing developments by RSLs and Councils in Wales. · Assurances given that the department worked very closely with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) partners to deliver affordable homes and work was ongoing to build up a healthy reserve scheme list for new development. · Welsh Government (WG) Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP) was established in April 2022 in response to the need to urgently deliver housing. The scheme could fund works on voids, bringing public and private empty homes back in to use, acquisitions, remodelling and repurposing existing properties, accommodation and offices. The following points were raised during the discussion: · Recognition that demand for affordable and social housing exceeded supply. · Suggestion that the modern methods of construction ensured that accommodation was of high specification, was energy efficient and cost effective to run. Lifespans of such properties was considered to be good. · The development at Derwent Crescent had been delayed, although completion was estimated as May, 2025 · The draft of the feasibility study to explore and make recommendations on the future use of the Rhosddu Road site was now expected to be concluded in June 2024 and would be circulated on completion. Residents would be consulted through the Tenant and Member Partnership and the usual Planning processes. · Confirmation that there were currently 12 properties on the Leasing Scheme Wales (LSW). · Confirmation that planned schemes for Wrexham required approval by WG prior to the allocation of grant funding. · Recognition that there was a shortage of one bedroom and four bedroom properties, meaning it was difficult to meet demand for those types of properties. · Concern at the cost of living for those tenants on benefits and low to medium income. It was noted that RSL rents tended to be higher than LHAs, but Members were reassured that tenants would not be allocated a property that was unaffordable. · Clarification sought regarding whether properties could be sold. The Lead Member advised that the Executive Board had recently adopted the Asset Management Strategy, which allowed properties to be sold. Any capital receipts went into the HRA and it was noted that discussions were currently ongoing with regards to how those capital receipts were reinvested. · Information will be provided regarding the costs of out of County placements for those contract holders with high and complex needs. · Confirmation that there had been no change to the Homeless Legislation which meant that ex-prisoners leaving HMP Berwyn on the Prisoner Pathway would only be classed as having a priority need for housing if they were from the local area. · Concern that there should be a renegotiation with RSLs with regard to nomination rights to their properties. AGREED – (i) That the report be noted. (ii) That the Committee receive a report back on the Allocations Policy, prior to it’s agreement, together with details of negotiations with RSLs to review existing nomination rights.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED - (i) That an update report outlining progress made, including new ways of working, be considered at the October meeting. This report to also contain further information on plans to address challenges in relation to grass cutting/weed control in the 2025 growing season. (ii) That a Task and Finish Group be established to consider the issues of grass cutting/weed control and a scoping document therefore be presented to the Committee at their Meeting in July.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COET/22/24s) to provide an update on existing ground maintenance activities and current in year grass cutting and weed spraying progress. A detailed debate ensued and the following points were raised: · Recognition that there was not enough money in the budget to maintain services. · Concern that in some areas, school children were having to walk on the road as hedges hadn’t been cut back and were overhanging pavements. · Acknowledgement that the motto of “Pride in your Streets” remained as a focus for the Department. · The Chief Officer gave an update to Members on an automated “environment whereabouts” email which would detail the latest position with regards to grass cutting. A similar service was also available to provide updates on road resurfacing. It was noted that the public could subscribe to receive the emails. · Recognition that certain weather conditions affected the ability to spray weeds. · Importance of ensuring the balance between putting resources into mowing verges against mowing smaller community type areas, although it was recognised that new equipment would make this task easier. · Recognition that machinery breakdowns had an impact, as well as staff leave and sickness. · Importance of ensuing good communication with Members to enable them to pass messages on to residents, particularly with regards to when weed spraying or grass cutting was taking place so that residents could be requested to move their vehicles off the highway etc. · Importance of ensuring that HRA money should be ring-fenced for work benefitting housing stock and not to subsidise other services. · Suggestion that a Task and Finish Group be established to consider future developments in this area of work. AGREED - (i) That an update report outlining progress made, including new ways of working, be considered at the October meeting. This report to also contain further information on plans to address challenges in relation to grass cutting/weed control in the 2025 growing season. (ii) That a Task and Finish Group be established to consider the issues of grass cutting/weed control and a scoping document therefore be presented to the Committee at their Meeting in July.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.