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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED - (i) That the topic selection form in respect of Open Space Strategy be accepted. (ii) To note that an information report on Winter Resilience was to be issued so this matter no longer required a report. (iii) That an all Member Workshop will be held in respect of Strategic Transport and that any future topic section form on this matter would be presented to the Committee if deemed necessary. (iv) That a topic selection form on Repairs and Voids will be submitted to the December Meeting. (v) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme be agreed.
AGREED - (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for their report and presentation. (ii) That an information report on progress be submitted to the Committee in 6 – 12 months highlighting any difficulties in this area of work. (iii) That the work outlined to address Anti Social Behaviour be supported.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Bryan Apsley
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 October 2022 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED - (i) That the topic selection form in respect of Open Space Strategy be accepted. (ii) To note that an information report on Winter Resilience was to be issued so this matter no longer required a report. (iii) That an all Member Workshop will be held in respect of Strategic Transport and that any future topic section form on this matter would be presented to the Committee if deemed necessary. (iv) That a topic selection form on Repairs and Voids will be submitted to the December Meeting. (v) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme be agreed.
The Scrutiny Facilitator submitted a report (COGC/107/22s) asking Members to consider the revised work programme. He highlighted the main points contained within the report and drew Members’ attention to the changes which had been made since the last Meeting. AGREED - (i) That the topic selection form in respect of Open Space Strategy be accepted. (ii) To note that an information report on Winter Resilience was to be issued so this matter no longer required a report. (iii) That an all Member Workshop will be held in respect of Strategic Transport and that any future topic section form on this matter would be presented to the Committee if deemed necessary. (iv) That a topic selection form on Repairs and Voids will be submitted to the December Meeting. (v) That subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED - (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for their report and presentation. (ii) That an information report on progress be submitted to the Committee in 6 – 12 months highlighting any difficulties in this area of work. (iii) That the work outlined to address Anti Social Behaviour be supported.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COET/36/22S) to provide Members with information regarding the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) function post pandemic and to provide details of priorities for the coming year. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. The Housing Enforcement Team Leader provided a presentation which covered the following: · Overview of the Team · What the Team do, and how · Balancing act between enforcing tenancies, but minimising pressure on the Housing Options Team · Case Study – ASB/Neighbour Nuisance · Case Study – Actions and Solutions Following the presentation, a discussion ensued and the following points were highlighted: · Frustration that if a tenant was evicted, there was still an obligation to rehouse the person. · Confirmation that there was a Lawyer employed to undertake work for the Housing Department. This was usually enforcement work, but also covered queries from the Estate Offices. · Checks prior to the offer of tenancy included those related to licensed conditions for lettings. · Officers advised that legislation didn’t allow the Authority to decide where a person lived, and in terms of allocation, the tenant had a right to choose which areas they wished to be housed in. · Importance of education was highlighted to enable problems to be dealt with, rather than the behaviour recurring. · Explanation given over the lengthy process that Officers followed when carrying out evictions. · Processes across the country were broadly similar, as they all adhered to relevant guidance and regulation. · New innovative ways of tackling some of the issues raised needed to be considered and the homeless prevention fund may be used to fund these. · Recognition that the Noise App was really useful in being able to provide evidence of allegations of noise as it gave an indication of frequency and severity of the noise. This information helped to prioritise where noise monitors could be deployed which gave a more accurate recording. · Confirmation that Officers worked in partnership and carried out joint visits to tenants with PCSOs. · Often, children and young people who were behaving inappropriately didn’t realise the detrimental impact their behaviour was having on the community. · Realisation that some tenants experienced mental health problems which was a factor in behaviour, but Officers were unable to disclose this to victims. · Confirmation by Officers that they undertook a programme of visits to new tenants and that there was a probationary period for a tenancy during which time it was least secure. If required this period could extend for up to 18 months. · Acknowledgement that the majority of tenants looked after their property and paid their rent on time. · Confirmation by the Lead Member that whilst there were difficult times ahead, the Team would continue to provide as much support to tenants as possible. AGREED - (i) That the Lead Member and Officers be thanked for their report and presentation. (ii) That an information report on progress be submitted to the Committee in 6 – 12 months highlighting any difficulties in this area of work. (iii) That the work outlined to address Anti Social Behaviour be supported.
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