Decision details

To adopt the Housing Comments, Complaints and Compensation Policy, Tenant Engagement Framework and the Housing Estate Management Policy

DECISION:

1)    That the Housing Comments, Compliments, Complaints and Compensation Policy be adopted;

2)    That minor operational amendments to the Housing Comments, Compliments, Complaints and Compensation Policy be delegated to the Assistant Director – Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing;

3)    That the Tenant Engagement Framework be adopted;

4)    That minor operational amendments to the Tenant Engagement Framework be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing;

5)    That the Housing Estate Management Policy be adopted; and

6)    That minor operational amendments to the Housing Estate Management Policy be delegated to the Assistant Director – Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:

7)    That in relation to the Housing Comments, Compliments, Complaints and Compensation Policy, the following delegation amendment be made:

      i.         All Chief Officers have authority to authorise payment of compensation in connection with complaints of up to £1,000 subject to the agreement of the Monitoring Officer and appropriate Portfolio Holder or Committee Chairman, and to informing the Performance Monitoring Panel;

2. The Assistant Director – Housing (and in their absence the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and Joint S151 Officer) to authorise payment of compensation in connection with complaints regarding the Council’s function as a social landlord of up to £1,000 in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for HRA & Private Sector Housing.

To ensure that the Council met the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing and Housing Ombudsman.  The draft documents required Cabinet’s approval before they could be adopted.  No further approvals were required).

Do nothing – Members could decide not to adopt a Housing Comments, Compliments, Complaints and Compensation Policy, a Tenant Engagement Framework and/or a Housing Estate Management Plan.  This option was not recommended as the Council would fail to meet its obligations as a social landlord.