Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2016 be confirmed.

No declarations of interest were received.

Sam Barstow, Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour Service Manager

a.    presented the joint anti-social behaviour policy which covered both roles of the local government and housing department in responding to complaints of anti-social behaviour

b.    advised that the aims of the corporate ASB strategy was to:

·         Respond to complaints promptly

·         Provide effective enforcement

·         Support and reassure victims and communities

·         Prevent anti-social behaviour where possible

·         Provide a consistent response to anti-social behaviour

·         Consolidate and improve partnerships to impact on ASB issues

c.    advised that the policy applied to all people living, visiting and working in the City of Lincoln’s boundaries or, where stated tenants of City of Lincoln Council in its capacity as a social housing landlord

d.    advised that when the Policy was implemented it would be advertised through the City Council website, local media, Your Lincoln Magazine and Home! Magazine

e.    gave an overview of how the Council responded to anti-social behaviour including:

·         What people reporting anti-social behaviour can expect of us

·         What we expect of people reporting anti-social behaviour to us

·         Making a report of ASB

f.   advised that all persons making a report of anti-social behaviour would be subject to an initial risk assessment and outlined how this would be completed

g.  referred to paragraphs 12 to 14 of the policy and advised how reports of ASB would be investigated

h.  explained the procedures for the ‘community trigger’ advising that this was an avenue of recourse for complainants who felt that their reports of anti-social behaviour had not received a satisfactory response

The committee considered the Policy and asked the following questions and Sam Barstow PPASB Service Manger responded accordingly:

Question - How many ASB cases related to mental health issues?

Response -  A fair proportion of cases related to alcohol and substance misuse and often perpetrators have mental health issues.

Question – How long does it take to resolve a case?

Response – The end to end number of days has reduced and it currently takes on average 18 days to resolve a case, though this is currently higher for housing cases, work is underway to bring it down

Question – Would ASB performance figures include both Council tenants and the public?

Response – Yes, the same level of service is expected for everyone.

Question – How does the performance of the Housing team compare to your team’s performance?

Response -  The Housing Department were improving but there is further work to be done. The ambition for Housing would be to achieve accreditation for their ASB service by the end of the year.

Comment – I do not agree with the 2 tiered system of the public and Council tenants.

Response – The Council has an additional relationship with tenants due to the Tenancy Agreement.

Question – Referred to paragraph 5 of the report and asked for clarification on protecting the poorest people in Lincoln.

Response -  It is a Strategic priority of the Council set by members.

Question – Referred to paragraph 10.4 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor West

a.    presented his report regarding activity and achievements in the area within his Portfolio

b.    advised on the changes in staff within the Housing Department

c.    gave an overview of the new build programme and major schemes that were scheduled

d.    outlined future proposals and concern for social housing 
 

e.    detailed the following areas of performance indicators:

·         Rents

·         Voids

·         Repairs

·         Allocations

·         ASB

f.     invited members’ questions and comments

Comment – There were many cases seen at the Housing Appeals Panel relating to rent arrears due to delays in receiving housing benefit

Response – Tenants that were eligible for Housing Benefit were advised by Housing Officers to make an application as soon as possible

Question – Commented that 609 tenants was a high number of people having to pay bedroom tax and asked if the Council were able to move people?

Response – There were not enough properties available to move everyone. Tenants could move via the mutual exchange scheme however, they would not be eligible if they were in a lot of arrears.

RESOLVED that the report be noted with thanks.

This item was considered alongside the Portfolio Holder Report.

Eric Jenkinson, Chair of LTP advised on the following matters:

·         The LTP AGM would be held on 23^rd March 2016 at 1.30pm at City Hall

·         Some members of LTP would be on Radio Lincolnshire at 10am on 14^th March 2016.

The Chair

a.    presented the work programme for the Housing Scrutiny Sub Committee for 2016/17 as detailed at appendix A of the report

b.    advised that this was an opportunity for the committee to suggest other items be included within the work programme

RESOLVED that the contents of the work programme be agreed.