Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 8

The Committee had a report before it attached as item 7,  a copy of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to a signed copy of these minutes. The report before members updated members of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on what had been achieved in delivering on the commitments in “Housing Matters”, the Adur and Worthing Councils’ Housing Strategy 2017-2020.

The director for communities and the housing services manager were present to answer questions

A member asked the following question: I Like much of the innovative work being done around local homelessness, the Opening Doors private sector lettings service is an excellent development. Could there be clarification of the average length of tenancies for those landlords already on the scheme. Members were told that the average length was six months although a guarantee was offered for two years. The scheme was in place to support landlords to take on who they would not normally take on.

A member asked the following question: Agenda item 7 page 19 bottom. 78% increase in homeless applications. Some attributed to better recording, can you give a % please and explain what the recording changes were and why the recording is better? Members were told that a new system was introduced following the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act. Staff had been trained over time to use the system better.

A member asked the following question: Is data available on the number of section 21 notices in the previous 3 financial years and how the Council is supporting those with notices? Members were given the following figures:

Adur:

2016 - 18

2017 - 14

2018 - 10

Worthing:

2016 - 26

2017 - 25

2018 - 20

Members were told that the residents in difficulty were encouraged to come to the council as early as possible as this was the best way to deal with rent arrears. In some cases assurances would be provided to landlords and in some cases it would be necessary to attend court where section 21 notices had been issued.

A member asked about the provision of temporary accommodation, lauding a recent planning application to this effect it was asked if there were plans to purchase other vacant sites and develop more accommodation to this effect. Members were told that the strategy was to provide a mix of different types of accommodation including leased properties. The Council was not complacent and would assess sites if they became available.

A member asked what happened to residents taking part in the Opening Doors scheme after the two years of guarantee were up. The committee was told that the scheme was in place to encourage landlords to take on people that they would not normally take on and it was hoped that after the end of the period landlords would maintain residents who could prove that they were reliable tenants. Other questions about the Opening Doors scheme elicited responses that there were currently 18 premises taking up the scheme with a further 3 prospective properties. The scheme was currently being piloted and work was being undergone with the communications team to look at the strategy for promoting the scheme.

A member asked if there had been an increase in section 21 notices since the rollout of universal credit. The committee was told that it was not something that had been experienced. There was a good relationship with the DWP (department of work and pensions) as well as having staff located at the job centre. Colleagues from other organisations were encouraged to contact the council as soon as possible should a resident begin to experience problems.

Resolved: that the report be noted and that the committee receive a further report once the report had been seen by the Joint strategic Committee