Decision details

The Strategic Housing Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods that provided the Group with an update regarding the Council’s partnership with Metropolitan Housing, the main provider of social housing in Rushcliffe. The Strategic Housing Manager advised that the highlights and activities in the last year had included the development of new affordable homes, participation in the Choice Based Lettings Scheme that prevented homelessness within the Borough and attendance at joint partnership meetings to tackle anti-social behaviour. It was also noted that Metropolitan Housing had recently merged with Thames Valley Housing to form ‘Metropolitan Thames Valley’ who would be responsible for managing and administering more than a total of 57,000 homes in London, the South East, the East Midlands and the East of England.

The Group received a presentation from Beth Watson – Head of Housing (Midlands), Ruth Jennings – Head of Care and Support (Midlands) and Nicola Raffell – Housing Services Manager (Nottinghamshire). The presentation covered:

·         People Powered Living

·         Rushcliffe year at a glance

·         New Homes in 2017/18

·         Garage sites

·         Maintenance

·         Anti-social behaviour

·         Rent arrears

·         Partnerships

·         Superkitchens

·         Universal Credit

·         The Future

Members of the Group asked several specific questions regarding the development of garage sites and suggested that even if they could not be developed they could be turned into parking bays. The Strategic Housing Manager noted that there were 600 garages and garage sites included in the review of garage provision and advised that the Group would be advised of the outcomes of the review, when available. Following a question by a Councillor the Housing Services Manager noted that no concerns had been raised by Nottinghamshire County Council as the Local Highways Authority concerning residents parking on the roads in the East Leake area. Members of the Group were also pleased to note that Metropolitan Thames Valley were working in partnership with the University of Nottingham to become more dementia friendly by setting up dementia cafes.

Members of the Group raised concerns about the length of time that residents were put on hold on the phone when contacting Metropolitan to report repairs or speak to them about other matters. The Housing Manager advised that there were peak times of demand which meant that call handling staff were not able to answer all calls straight away. It was noted however that there were ‘community walkabouts’ which enabled staff to log repairs on their iPads. The Group asked if the dates for community walkabouts could be circulated to Councillors along with the dates of future “superkitchen” events, and job clubs as well as data on Metropolitans call handling performance. The Head of Housing noted that Metropolitan Thames Valley would be providing up to two homes for modern slavery victims this year. Members of the Group also praised Metropolitan Thames Valley for the development of new affordable homes during the year and were pleased to note that wifi was being installed in communal areas so that training and job clubs could be delivered effectively.

The Chairman and members of the committee thanked the team at Metropolitan Thames Valley for delivering the presentation and for answering their questions.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be noted.

b)    The Group be provided with information on how many garages Metropolitan had, how many would be redeveloped and how many would be retained as garages.

c)    Councillors be provided with the dates and times scheduled for “superkitchens”, estate inspections and job clubs.

d)    The Group be provided with information regarding Metropolitan Thames Valley’s call handing performance.