Issue - meetings

This report seeks Member approval for the financial implications of the modernisation of the Housing Service.

The Cabinet

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL - That

1.     a general fund supplementary estimate of up to £172k (which equates to a Band D equivalent of £2.81) for the potential redundancy and pension strain costs to meet the Council’s statutory homelessness duties, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £260k (which equates to Band D equivalent £4.26) be approved;

2.     a housing revenue account supplementary estimate of £294k (which equates to a weekly rent of £1.69 per dwelling) for the potential redundancy and pension strain costs associated with the Housing Revenue Account, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £67K (which equates to a weekly rent of £0.39 per dwelling) be approved; and

3.     the competency Framework “Arun Cares” which was introduced in September 2018 and which sets out expectations for service delivery (Appendix 1 to the report) be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Residential Services, Councillor Mrs Gregory, presented this report which provided a detailed update on the modernisation of the Housing Service and what the financial implications were to ensure that the service was fit for purpose allowing it to meet its statutory duties and to comply with regulatory requirements.

It was outlined that it had been over 15 years since the structure of the Housing Service had been thoroughly reviewed and so a review had long been overdue.  It was explained that it was imperative for the service to be modern, resilient, integrated and customer focused to ensure that the Council could respond to the changing needs of the District’s residents.  The structure had been amplified by the Regulator for Social Housing; a review of all areas of the service, general fund and housing revenue account functions; and the adoption of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan.  All these clearly identified the need to move forward and employ additional staff to face the demands of the service.

The Chairman stated that from the previous report it had already been noted that homelessness had been rising steadily over the last 10 years.  In response to the situation and as part of the wider review of the Housing Service, a comprehensive review of how the Council delivered the homeless and housing options services had been undertaken.  It was evident that there needed to be greater focus on the prevention and relief of homelessness in order to move applicants on from emergency accommodation in a timelier way.  In order to achieve this, a new structure with a greater level of staff resources was required.  The Council had also secured some additional Council houses recently and it was outlined that a target of the new administration was to increase housing stock substantially. 

            The Cabinet

                        RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL – That

(1)          A general fund supplementary estimate of up to £172 (which equates to a Band D equivalent of £2.81) for the potential redundancy and pensions strain costs to meet the Council’s statutory homelessness duties, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £260k (which equates to a Band D equivalent £4.26) be approved;

(2)          A housing revenue account supplementary estimate of £249k (which equates to a weekly rent of £1.69 per dwelling) for the potential redundancy and pension strain costs associated with the Housing Revenue Account, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £67l (which equates to a weekly rent of £0.39 per dwelling) be approved; and

(3)          The competency Framework “Arun Cares” which was introduced in September 2018 setting out expectations for service delivery (as set out in Appendix One to the report) be noted.

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/028/91219, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.