Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a true record.

Purpose of Report

To present the reviewed Income Management and Arrears Policy document for approval, as detailed at Appendix to the officer’s report.

Decision

That the reviewed Income Management and Arrears Policy be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

None.

Reason for Decision

Following consultation with Lincoln Tenant’s Panel it had agreed with the revised policy in general terms, with comments as follows:

• LTP would like to see some more information on the outcomes of the Eviction Prevention Panel as referenced in the document.
• LTP would like to see review information on performance in 6-months’ time of the pilot structure incorporating a dedicated Rent Team.
• LTP would like to work on how we sustained tenancies, particularly for first time tenants and for people who were being resettled from other types of accommodation.
• There would need to be further work around what made up the total amount of arrears, and this would include considering any arrears coming from “bedroom tax” and a working group to review the Downsizing Scheme pilot.

All references to legislation and guidance had been updated.

The Policy had no significant changes to its content and purpose and as a result been widely consulted on. It had been re-written in a clearer format. Elements that were more procedural had been removed.

It was proposed to look at further work on the technical aspects of income collection, which did not impact on the content of this policy, later this financial year.

Purpose of Report

To present the new Neighbourhood Management Policy for approval, as detailed at Appendix A to the officer’s report.

Decision

That the Neighbourhood Management Policy be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

None.

Reason for Decision

The policy only applied to c.7,800 properties which were owned and managed by City of Lincoln Council and the areas Housing were responsible for throughout the city.

It represented an ‘Umbrella’ Policy that signposted a number of specific delivery policies that determined how we provided services.

Following consultation with Lincoln Tenant’s Panel LTP the following comments had been received:

• The Panel had agreed with the policy in principle and understand that it was an overall umbrella for other policies and procedures.

• They would like further work to be done with them on a separate policy looking at handling noise issues and communal living.

• The approach in the policy needed to be linked to work being done on ASB procedures and to align with this process, and the Allocations process.

• The Panel were happy to work with officers on the policies and procedures that fed directly into this policy, such as grounds maintenance, untidy gardens and communal areas.

This policy met the requirements of the Social Housing Regulator, specifically the Consumer Standards: Neighbourhood and Community, Safety and Quality, and Transparency, Influence and Accountability (including the Tenant Satisfaction Measures).

Included in these Standards were required outcomes for neighbourhoods and communal areas associated with homes to be clean and safe. This reinforced our aims to ensure that neighbourhoods were attractive, clean and safe places to live, work and socialise in.

It was a recommendation of the Housing Ombudsman’s “Spotlight on noise complaints – time to be heard” report that social housing landlords should have a neighbourhood management policy distinct from their Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) policy, and procedures in place for triaging neighbourhood management issues through early intervention and creating an environment that was attractive, clean and safe.

Members thanked Lincoln Tenant’s Panel for their continued involvement and contributions to the work of the Housing Team. It was important that residents were empowered and local people were engaged with to let them know their voice was heard.

Decision

This item was deferred.

Purpose of Report

1.    To seek approval from Executive to commence consultation on the revocation of the Council’s existing Air Quality Management Areas.

2.    To request that Executive grant delegated power to the Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, in consultation with the Assistant Director (Health and Environment),to authorise making a subsequent revocation order relating to the existing Air Quality Management Area, subject to any consultation responses.

Decision

1.    That the commencement of consultation on the revocation of the Council’s existing Air Quality Management Area be approved.

2.    That power be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, in consultation with the Assistant Director (Health and Environment), to authorise making subsequent amendment or revocation orders in relation to the existing Air Quality Management Areas, subject to any consultation responses.

Alternative Options Considered

None. This was a statutory process.

Reason for Decision

The Environment Act 1995 placed a duty on the Council to regularly review air quality within the city against several national air quality objectives. The objectives were human health-based standards, seeking to protect the most vulnerable in society, i.e. the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Historically, areas closest to the city’s busiest roads had been found to have pollution levels above the national objectives for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

The City of Lincoln Council currently had one Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), which was declared by the Council due to historical non-compliance with the national air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide, a road traffic related pollutant.

The Council’s air quality monitoring data for the last 5 years confirmed that there had been a significant improvement in air quality throughout the city. As a result, the Council’s latest Annual Status Report on air quality to Defra recommended that the AQMA for nitrogen dioxide be revoked, in accordance with national guidance. The proposal to revoke the AQMA was also supported by Defra.

Before revoking an AQMA, the Council was obliged to consult with a number of statutory consultees. The Council may also consult with other relevant stakeholders. This report sought the approval of Executive to commence this consultation process.

Following revocation, the Council would be obliged to put in place a local air quality strategy to ensure air quality remained a high-profile issue and to enable a quick response should there be any deterioration in air quality at any location within the city. The development of a local air quality strategy would require a robust consultation process and would be subject to separate committee reports and approvals. Defra would also be formally notified.

Members thanked officers for all their hard work resulting in serious progress being made in relation to Air Quality Management in the City; long may it continue.

You are asked to resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items because it is likely that if members of the press or public were present, there would be disclosure to them of 'exempt information'.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, notice is hereby given of items which will be considered in private, for which either 28 days' notice has been given or approval has been granted by the appropriate person specified in the Regulations. For further details please visit our website at http://www.lincoln.gov.uk or contact Democratic Services at City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln.

X. This item is being considered in private as it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. No representations have been received in relation to the proposal to consider this item in private.

Y. This item is being considered in private as it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and has not been deferred for the reasons established in the published notice.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business because it was likely that if members of the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Purpose of Report

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Decision

That the recommendation to the Executive, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.

Reasons for the Decision

As detailed in the exempt report to the Executive.