Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED i) That the report in respect of the Hafod Landfill site be considered at the February 2027 meeting. ii) That the topic request form in respect of Repairs Policy be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting. iii) That the topic request form in respect of Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2026 – 2031 be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting.
AGREED: i) That the Lead Member and staff be thanked for the work that had been undertaken to reduce the levels of repairs. ii) That a future report be considered by the Committee in respect of the Planned Maintenance Programme. iii) That Members be provided with details of the percentage of recharge fees for repairs, that are recovered. iv) That the Committee would support an increase in the number of apprenticeships being offered each year.
AGREED- i) That Members be provided with details of the number of over 50s that were on the waiting list, that may have been disadvantaged by the relevant age policy. ii) That further legal advice be sought on the operation of the over 50s policy, with a view to identifying if a reversion to the old policy was defensible. iii) That Committee support the first two proposed changes to the Policy, as outlined in paragraph 2.8 of the report.
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Trevor Bates.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 June 2026 be confirmed 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 Items 5 and 6 Councillors Paul Blackwell, Steve Joe Jones, Claire Lovett, Paul Pemberton, John C Phillips and Paul Rogers – Personal and non-prejudicial – Relatives employed by Wrexham County Borough Council in the Housing Department. Councillor Emma Holland – Personal and non-prejudicial- family member rents a property. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED i) That the report in respect of the Hafod Landfill site be considered at the February 2027 meeting. ii) That the topic request form in respect of Repairs Policy be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting. iii) That the topic request form in respect of Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2026 – 2031 be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/62/26which allowed Members to consider the Committee’s work programme. AGREED i) That the report in respect of the Hafod Landfill site be considered at the February 2027 meeting. ii) That the topic request form in respect of Repairs Policy be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting. iii) That the topic request form in respect of Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2026 – 2031 be agreed and scheduled for the October meeting.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: i) That the Lead Member and staff be thanked for the work that had been undertaken to reduce the levels of repairs. ii) That a future report be considered by the Committee in respect of the Planned Maintenance Programme. iii) That Members be provided with details of the percentage of recharge fees for repairs, that are recovered. iv) That the Committee would support an increase in the number of apprenticeships being offered each year.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report COH/05/26 which updated Members on the current position with Housing Repairs, including the active and ongoing repairs numbers. The current number of live repairs is 1662, which changes daily. The Lead Member introduce the report and responded to questions accordingly thereafter. The Head of Service, Property, gave a detailed Powerpoint presentation which provided further details on the current position with housing repairs. · Officers explained the distinction between responsive repairs and planned maintenance. Planned maintenance covers larger, programmed works, while responsive repairs address issues reported by tenants and day-to-day maintenance needs. · Members noted that some planned maintenance works could involve longer waiting times and queried the impact of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) on repair demand. · Officers confirmed that a future report on planned maintenance could be brought to Committee. · The responsive repairs Team Leader confirmed that larger repair works were under review, with consideration being given to available budgets and service delivery. · Members welcomed the reported service improvements and requested information on trends in repair demand. · Officers advised that increases had been seen in joinery, plastering, plumbing and general maintenance works, with more jobs now classified as emergencies due to HHSRS requirements. · Joinery was identified as one of the highest-volume repair categories and one of the most time-consuming to complete. · Recruitment was being reviewed to ensure the service has the resources required to meet current demand. Multi-skilled working forms a mandatory part of staff roles. · Contractors were generally not used for routine repairs, with the exception of specialist works such as scaffolding and, where necessary, some out-of-hours gas and heating services. · Officers outlined the use of a portable unit that resembles a dehumidifier style unit, which treats mould issues in properties, work that had previously been undertaken by external contractors. The in-house repairs service are leading on using these units and are responding to reports of damp and mould · Members queried staffing levels and recruitment challenges. Officers reported recent success in recruitment but noted ongoing difficulties in recruiting electricians due to staff departures and internal promotions. · Officers advised that approximately 43% of works reported relate to DLO however, services such as heating, drainage and other maintenance activities are carried out by external contractors. · Members thanked officers and staff for their work and improvements to the service. · Members requested information on the number of repairs arising in refurbished properties compared with non-refurbished properties. · Officers advised that defects occurring within the first 12 months after refurbishment are managed under warranty and are therefore not included in repair figures. · It was reported that approximately 47% of void properties had undergone refurbishment, with 53% not yet refurbished. · Officers confirmed there were no significant issues with contractors returning to rectify defects within warranty periods. · Members discussed apprenticeship recruitment and workforce planning, particularly in light of an ageing workforce and anticipated retirements. · Officers advised that they intended to recruit three apprentices this year, with potential increases in future years based on service demand and workforce requirements. · The service would target apprenticeship opportunities in trades where future demand is expected, including electrical work. · Members encouraged an increase in apprenticeship numbers and emphasised the importance of developing in-house skills to safeguard future service delivery. · Members queried the impact of housing stock age on repair volumes and requested information on recharge recovery rates. · Officers confirmed that the age of housing stock contributes to repair demand and advised that recharge debts are managed through agreed repayment arrangements where necessary. · Members requested that recharge performance figures be provided to the Committee. · Officers confirmed that one of the proposed apprenticeships would be in electrical work and that further expansion of electrical apprenticeship opportunities is being considered. AGREED: i) That the Lead Member and staff be thanked for the work that had been undertaken to reduce the levels of repairs. ii) That a future report be considered by the Committee in respect of the Planned Maintenance Programme. iii) That Members be provided with details of the percentage of recharge fees for repairs, that are recovered. iv) That the Committee would support an increase in the number of apprenticeships being offered each year.
Decision as recorded
AGREED- i) That Members be provided with details of the number of over 50s that were on the waiting list, that may have been disadvantaged by the relevant age policy. ii) That further legal advice be sought on the operation of the over 50s policy, with a view to identifying if a reversion to the old policy was defensible. iii) That Committee support the first two proposed changes to the Policy, as outlined in paragraph 2.8 of the report.
The Lead Member submitted a report COH/04/26 which presented Members with the results of the 12-month evaluation of the changes to the Allocations Policy, which were implemented on 17 March 2025. The Lead Member introduced his report and responded to questions accordingly thereafter, with input from the Head of Service, Housing. The Head of Service, Housing provided a Powerpoint presentation which gave further information, including details around:- · Implementation of the New Policy · Details of Band Changes · Impact on Applications · Assessment Criteria During the ensuing debate, a number of issues were raised, including:- · In instances where people were at risk of losing tenancy the matter was dealt with as quickly as possible, although people did have a right to stay at a property until a warrant is obtained. · It was noted that there had been no official complaints made by people on the waiting list that had been affected by changes. · The appeals mechanism was available to those effected. · A refusal of tenancy due to threat of violence would be justifiable and not count as a refusal. · Members raised concerns around the changes in relation to those over 50 on the waiting list and queried whether policies in this respect were open to challenge. · Proposed changes to the Policy were outlined for the Committee. AGREED- i) That Members be provided with details of the number of over 50s that were on the waiting list, that may have been disadvantaged by the relevant age policy. ii) That further legal advice be sought on the operation of the over 50s policy, with a view to identifying if a reversion to the old policy was defensible. iii) That Committee support the first two proposed changes to the Policy, as outlined in paragraph 2.8 of the report.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.