Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Kevin Thomas  01267 224027

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES AND OTHER MATTERS

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillor B.A.L. Roberts

 

The Chair referred to the recent actions of 10 year old Tia Hughes from Llanelli for her quick response in raising the alarm after witnessing smoke emanating from the Granby Flats in Llanelli. She advised that the Housing Department was now liaising with any affected tenants.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS

Minutes:

Councillor

Minute Number

Nature of Interest

S. Matthews

7 – National Licensing of Landlords and Agents

Landlord

H. Shepardson

7 – National Licensing of Landlords and Agents

Secretary of Social Club in Burry Port that rents out properties

A Davies

7 – National Licensing of Landlords and Agents

Landlord

S.L. Davies

7 – National Licensing of Landlords and Agents

Mother is a landlord

 

3.

DECLARATION OF PROHIBITED PARTY WHIPS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED)

Minutes:

No public questions had been received.

5.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNCIL OWNED HOUSING COMPANY pdf icon PDF 303 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report on proposals by the Council for the establishment of a Council Owned Local Housing Company (The Company) as a development vehicle to accelerate house building within Carmarthenshire and increase the supply of much needed additional homes, whilst also creating jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities, supporting the supply chain and delivering the Council’s regeneration ambitions. The Company, if established, would complement the continuing use of the Housing Revenue Account’s resources to commission new homes (where it was appropriate to do so) and would also support the Council’s Affordable Housing Commitment of March 2016 for alternative housing delivery options to increase the number of homes within the County.

 

The Committee was advised that The Company would be wholly owned by the Council, would not involve the transfer of any of the Council’s existing housing stock (which would continue to be managed and maintained by the Council) or the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employees) of existing staff.

 

The Committee noted that the report detailed the arrangements for establishing the Company and contained seven recommendations for its consideration and endorsement, if appropriate, to the Executive Board. Those arrangements would include the appointment of five company directors, the preparation of a business plan for approval by the Council together with initial set up costs.

 

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

 

·        In response to a question on the development role of the proposed company, the Head of Housing and Public Protection advised it would act as a development vehicle to facilitate the construction of good quality housing within Carmarthenshire via a variety of means/tenure to enable local people to access the housing ladder and could, for example, include homes for sale, rent, sharehold, leasehold and rent to buy. The Company itself would be separate from the Council, operated by five directors, and would not involve the transfer of any council staff.

 

The Company prior to becoming operational would initially be required to produce a development procedure detailing a range of procedures to ensure the delivery of quality homes through contracting arrangements with local builders and adopting its own ‘Quality Assurance’. Secondly, it would need to develop a formal Business Plan, for Council’s approval, detailing the initial start-up arrangements in relation to any land/ loans/staff it may receive from the council and payback arrangements.

·        Reference was made to page 7 of the report and point 5 thereof relating to the wage to house price ratio of 5:1 in some parts of the county, with the  Council’s Housing Choice Register recording a significant amount of unmet housing need, especially so in the rural areas where property values were high with limited supply. Clarification was sought on how the new company could address that inequality.

 

The Head of Housing and Public Protection confirmed that housing shortages in the rural sector were particularly acute, the reasons for which were varied and could include the past sale of council properties, the lack of affordable homes or the wrong types of tenure.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

INTRODUCTION OF A 'CHOICE BASED LETTINGS' PROCESS FOR COUNCIL HOUSING IN CARMARTHENSHIRE pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received for consideration a report on proposals for the introduction of a ‘Choice Based Lettings’ process for Council Housing in Carmarthenshire whereby the Council would openly advertise vacant properties and invite people on the Housing Choice Register to bid for the tenancy of those properties, as opposed to the current policy of offering properties to prospective tenants . The new process, if adopted, was considered to be beneficial to both tenants and the Council in that it:

 

·       Was open and transparent in relation to vacancies;

·       Ensured applicants who expressed an interest in a particular property wanted the home rather than accepted it on the basis there was a penalty if they refused,

·       Was more likely the successful applicant would accept the property and stay longer (making for more sustainable tenancies and communities)

·       Provided the authority with real time planning data regarding the popularity/desirability of its homes, which should influence the asset management strategy and affordable homes commitment,

·       Reduced staff time spent identifying applicants,

·       Reduced property refusals

·       Complemented the Council’s ‘do it on-line’ programme.

 

The report also identified how the new service would be delivered, primarily on a digital basis via the Council’s on-line services whilst also making provision for the most vulnerable and others without digital services to access the system and submit bids for a property.

 

The Following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

 

·       It was confirmed that local members would receive a weekly list of available properties on a similar basis to the weekly planning lists they currently received.

·       In response to a question on how a property was to be allocated in light of multiple bids being received, the Housing Services Manager (Advice and Options), confirmed all allocations would be made in accordance with the Council’s Allocations Policy.

·       Reference was made to the statement in the report that 83% of households in Carmarthenshire had internet access. Clarification was sought on how the Council intended making the weekly vacancy lists available to the remaining 17%.

 

The Housing Services Manager referred the Committee to the written report which detailed a range of options being pursued including, advertising the list in the Councils libraries, customer service centres and other public buildings. The Council would also work with third sector organisations and local business to gauge their interest in helping to promote the available homes e.g. local shops and post offices. Homeless persons would have assistance via the Council’s Housing Advice Service. Additionally, the system would enable vulnerable persons, or those without internet access, to nominate someone to submit a bid on their behalf.

·       Whilst the proposals to be put in place to assist non internet users to bid for properties were welcomed, an assurance was sought on whether the Council would be able to continue to provide support to those people.

 

The Committee was assured that support was provided to prospective tenants seeking inclusion on the Housing Choice Register whereby a significant amount of pre-tenancy information was obtained on their ability to meet their obligations as council tenants.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

NATIONAL LICENSING OF LANDLORDS AND AGENTS pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Minutes:

(NOTE: Councillors A. Davies, S.L. Davies, S. Matthews and H.B. Shepardson had earlier declared an interest in this item but remained in the meeting during its consideration)

 

The Committee, further to its meeting held in September 2016, received a progress report on the national licensing of landlords and agents under the Provisions of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 that made it a legal requirement for all landlords and agents who managed or let private sector homes in Wales to obtain a licence.

 

The Committee noted that with regard to Carmarthenshire the progress was:

1.     5.043 landlords had registered 9,261 properties representing 82% of the private rented stock,

2.     1,280 landlords had obtained a licence with a further 922 currently being processed by Rent Smart Wales.

3.     189 agents had obtained a licence

4.     43 warning letters had been issued and one fixed penalty notice issued.

 

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·        It was confirmed that owners of second homes in Wales did not fall within the requirements of the Legislation and were not required to register their properties with Rent Smart Wales.

·        Reference was made to the aims and aspirations of the legislation to improve the quality of landlords and to whether those were being met.

 

It was confirmed that the scheme was aimed at improving or eradicating bad landlords with a view to having well managed properties within the rented housing sector. However, with that aim in mind, it had to be accepted a majority of those landlords were accidental landlords who may not be aware of their responsibilities. The new legislation was also aimed at raising their awareness and understanding of those responsibilities. 

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.

8.

REVENUE & CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the 2017/18 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring reports for the Housing, Regeneration, Planning and Leisure and Recreation Services for the period up to the 31st August, 2017. It was noted that the revenue budget was forecasting a £389k overspend, the capital budget a £1,407k underspend, whilst the Housing Revenue Account was forecasting a £21k underspend.

 

The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:-

 

·        Reference was made to the projected £482k overspend within the Planning Division representing a £40k increase on that previously reported to the Committee at its October Meeting. Clarification was sought on the reason for that increase.

 

The Committee was advised that as the Head of Planning was not in attendance at the meeting, arrangements would be made to e-mail the information direct to the Committee Members.

·        In response to a question on the projected £19k underspend on homelessness, the Housing Services Manager (advice and options) advised that was attributable to a number of factors. Firstly, the Department’s pro-active prevention arrangements on homelessness had resulted in a 50% reduction over the previous five years. Secondly, the Authority received additional Welsh Government funding to support the provision of housing for the homeless.

·        In response to concerns expressed on the introduction of Universal Credit and the potential that had for tenants unable to pay their rent being evicted, the Housing Services Manager advised that a report was currently being prepared on Universal Credit for submission to a future meeting of the Committee.

·        In response to a question on the £56k overspend in Rent Payments, it was reported that related to an overcharge of water charges for some people living in sheltered housing as a consequence of their water meters having been connected by Welsh Water to the incorrect properties.

·        In response to a question on the £45k overspend on UN Sir Gar, the Committee was advised it related to unrealised rental income from vacant accommodation and that efforts were being made to let the vacant space.

·        In response to a question relating to the £393k overspend on Adaptations and DDA works, the committee was advised it had resulted from an increased demand for services, some of which involved the provision of extensions to properties. As a result of that increase, an assessment was being made on whether additional provision for such works should be made in the HRA Business Account.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2017/18 be received.

9.

FORTHCOMING ITEMS pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its meeting to be held on the 14th December, 2017, and its attention drawn to the high number of agenda items to be presented to that meeting. As a result, it was requested to approve the following suggested amendments to that schedule:

 

·        The Reports on both the Local Resilience Forum – Business Plan and the Counter Terrorism Update being re-scheduled for consideration at the February 2018 meeting;

·        The withdrawal of the report on the Commons Act 2006, which would now be considered as part of the budget setting process for the setting of fees and charges.

 

In addition to the above report, the Committee noted that appended thereto for its information was a copy of both its, and the Executive Board’s, Forward Work Programmes

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that subject to the above amendments the list of forthcoming items for the meeting of the Committee to be held on the 14th December, 2017 be received.

 

 

10.

EXPLANATION FOR NON-SUBMISSION OF SCRUTINY REPORT pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered the explanation provided for the non-submission of a report.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the non-submission report be noted.

11.

SCRUTINY ACTION UPDATE pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report detailing the progress achieved in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings.

 

It was noted that subsequent to the despatch of the Agenda for the meeting the information requested in Action CS006-17/18 on energy consumption data had been conveyed to members of the Committee and that action was now completed

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.

 

12.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH OCTOBER 2017 pdf icon PDF 321 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received for adoption as a correct record the minutes of its meeting held on the 5th October, 2017 and its attention drawn to the erroneous inclusion of Councillor Betsan Jones in the list of apologies.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 5th October, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

 

 

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