Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomed Director of Communities – Jennifer Mullin, Housing Solutions Manager and Executive member for Homes and Housing Councillor Terry Howarth.

A brief overview of the report was provided, highlighting the recommendations and actions taken.

Learning sessions around housing issues with Members was undertaken by Rachel Stewart, the first was completed in September 2021, and the next should take place in the autumn.

The Council had worked with Jigsaw, Access, Progress, onward homes, and other housing providers to increase the uptake of disabled facilities grants by 50%.

Lancashire County Council confirmed that they have employed additional occupational therapists to work in Central Lancashire to work through the backlog since Covid.

It was recommended that the Council lobbied government for greater regulation of RPs. Significant reform was underway with the introduction of a green paper and white paper and now a bill introduced in June 2022. Expectations have been set for social housing, and there were significant changes in the White Paper and guidance from the government. The Council would not be the regulatory authority, but continued collaboration would take place to ensure adherence.

A Good Homes Charter had not been created, the process was delayed due to the Covid pandemic and new legislation.

Jigsaw have committed to acknowledging letters in five working days, with a response in a further 5. Jigsaw have also created an email address specifically for Councillors to use in relation to a resident.

The Select Move Coordinator was in post, and their role had been to work with the registered providers, the Steering Group and the Select Move partnership to progress the Charter ahead of legislative reforms. The timescale for implementation was not known, but a proactive approach was being taken.

Ward walks had previously occurred and with enough interest could be organised in the near future.

The two recommendations not taken forward were for a resident’s association and a social housing sector. It was felt with the delays caused by Covid-19, the role of the Select Move Coordinator was able to deliver the aims of both recommendations and was able to keep up with changes to legislation to provide the oversight recommended.

The report was noted.