Agenda item

(NOTE:

Councillor R. Sparks having earlier declared an interest in this item re-declared the interest and remained in the meeting for its consideration.

Councillor M. Palfreman declared an interest in this item and remained in the meeting for its consideration)

The Committee considered the 2023-24 Draft Divisional Delivery Plans for the Housing and Public Protection, Housing Property & Strategic Projects and the Leisure Divisions within the Communities Department detailing the strategic actions and measures to be taken forward to enable the Council to make progress against its Well-Being Objectives, thematic priorities and service priorities.

The following issues / questions were raised on the reports:

·       In response to a question on Action A2 on the Housing and Public Protection Plan, to resettle refugees in a co-ordinated way to ensure settled accommodation is available to meet their needs, the Head of Housing and Public Protection confirmed the Council was meeting its obligations and the introduction of the New Social Housing Allocations Policy was assisting in that regard.

·       In response to a question on Action A17 on the Housing and Public Protection Plan, to contribute to ‘Further, Faster Carmarthenshire’ ensuring additional community-based accommodation offer for older people, the Committee was advised it related to preventing elderly people being admitted to hospital by providing them with appropriate accommodation to meet their needs. Similarly, it aimed to assist in discharging elderly people from hospital at the earliest opportunity by providing the right accommodation at the right time with appropriate support where needed. The Department was also working closely with Health and Social Services to secure those early releases.

The Head of Housing and Public Protection reminded the Committee that the Council had plans to develop more affordable housing with their delivery being key. It would also need to be recognised there would, on occasions, be capacity issues but that by operating in co-ordinated way the department should continue to manage their provision and meet demand.

·       Reference was made to the Actions and Measures element of the report and a suggestion made they could be used as the basis for future reports to the Committee to monitor progress.

·       In response to a question on the high risks detailed within the Housing and Public Protection Plan, the Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that status was necessary to ensure risks were managed in a proper manner.

·       With regard to the reference within the Housing Property and Strategic Projects report recording a reduction in the level of void properties from over 400 to 280, the Committee was advised that subsequent to the report’s preparation the number of voids had further reduced to 239.

·       In response to a question on the use of local contractors to undertake works to Council Housing, the Head of Housing Property and Strategic Projects reminded the Committee that a new contractor framework was currently being prepared which would hopefully encourage smaller contractors to apply for inclusion. It was also noted the Council was increasing trade staffing levels to enable it to undertake more minor works to properties itself with larger works being undertaken by contractors.

·       Reference was made to the ‘Care and Repair’ service provided to elderly private houseowners to make their homes safer by installing new locks for example and to whether a similar service could be provided to council tenants.

The Head of Housing Property and Strategic Projects advised that whilst the Council did not provide such a service to its tenants at the present time, there may, as its trades staffing levels increased, be an opportunity to consider such provision in the future thereby providing a proactive service for tenants.

·       Whilst emergency works to tenant’s properties were undertaken promptly, a concern was raised the same could not be applied to remedial works. The Head of Housing Property and Strategic Projects advised that over recent years the council had encountered difficulties in undertaking such works in a timely manner due to the impact of covid and contractor availability. However, as the number of skilled trades staff employed by the Council increased to enable works to be undertaken in-house, the response times would improve.

·       In response to a question on the Kidwelly Industrial Museum within the Leisure Plan, it was confirmed the site currently remained closed due to safety issues. However, a plan was being developed to help facilitate its re-opening at a future date.

·       With regard to action A7 within the Leisure Plan to develop a ‘sport for all’ approach the committee was apprised of the work being undertaken by the Leisure Division to promote that ethos. That included working with clubs etc to increase the number of volunteers and provide advice on finance and grant availability. The Council also provided sports for children prior to them joining clubs such as swimming and was currently developing an aquatics plan in that regard.

·       With regard to a question on the marketing of corporate events at Council owned facilities such as Pembrey Country Park, the Head of Regeneration advised he would raise the issue with the Council’s marketing section.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the 2023-24 Draft Divisional Plans for the Housing and Public Protection, Housing Property & Strategic Projects and Leisure Divisions be approved.