Agenda item

The Committee received a report presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing on the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2022-25 Carmarthenshire Housing Investment Programme the purpose of which was fourfold. Firstly, it explained the vision and detail of the housing investment programme over the next three years and what it meant for tenants. Secondly, it confirmed the income to be received from tenants’ rents and other funding sources over the next three years. Thirdly, it confirmed the financial profile based on current assumptions, for the delivery of the housing investment programme and council new build over the next three years. Fourthly, it produced a business plan for the annual application to the Welsh Government for Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) Grant for 2022/23 equating to £6.1m.

The report highlighted the importance of the Council supporting its tenants and residents in everything it did, with the following five key themes having been identified as driving the business for the next three years:-

-        Theme 1 – Supporting Tenants and Residents;

-        Theme 2 – Investing in Homes and Surrounding Areas;

-        Theme 3 - Providing more homes;

-        Theme 4 – Decarbonisation of the Housing Stock;

-        Theme 5 – The Local Economy, Community Benefits and Procurement

The Following questions/issues were raised on the report:

·       In response to a question on the time taken to undertake work to void properties prior to re-letting, the Committee was advised that currently the level of void properties had reduced from in excess of 400 to 344, as at the end of December, 2021, set against a total stock number in excess of 9,200. While the level of voids had reduced, there were a number of reasons for the delays in their re-letting. Those included, for example, the impact of covid, availability of contractors and the availability of materials. It was also noted that 45 of those voids may not be returned to the stock and consideration was being given to their future which included sale or, possibly, demolition.

The Head of Housing Property and Strategic projects advised that a review was currently being undertaken on voids with a view to increasing turn-around times. That included visiting other local housing authorities and social landlords to gain a perspective on their processes/procedures. Additionally, the minor works contractor framework was due for renewal in the coming months and, as part of that tendering process, consideration would be given to the feasibility of extending the framework to include an increase in the number of contractors.

·       As part of the discussion on voids, reference was made to local members not being apprised of turn-around times for them to advise their electorate. It was confirmed that arrangements would be made for local members to be informed following an inspection of a void property of its estimated re-letting time.

·       Reference was made to the discussion undertaken at the Committee’s previous meeting on the impact of NRW regulations re phosphates on development/regeneration. The Head of Homes and Safer Communities advised that a meeting had recently been held thereon with the Welsh Government and arrangements were being made for it to meet with local authorities, including Carmarthenshire, to discuss the issues. An update on those discussions could then be provided to members at a later date.

RESOLVED THAT IT BE RECOMMENDED TO THE CABINET/COUNCIL TO:-