Agenda item

To note and support the recommendations and changes, including increasing the HRA establishment (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which requested that Cabinet note and support recommendations and changes, including increasing the HRA Establishment.

The Portfolio Holder – Communities and Operational Housing presented the report.

The following points were raised:

·       How was the charging formulated?  Charges at Trinity Court seemed comparatively higher than other sites.

·       Why were tenants being charged for Health and Safety compliance?  Did this not fall within the Authority’s landlord responsibilities?

·       Would charges be reviewed each year rather than automatically increased in line with RPI?

·       How long would the trial of the two digital notice boards be for; where would they be located; what action would come from the trial; and who would update the noticeboards?

DECISION:

That Cabinet:

1)    Noted the extensive review undertaken, initial service improvements made and those proposed to be implemented.

2)    Supported the installation of digital notice boards, as a pilot in two communal areas to improve communication to our tenants and a marketing budget to help promote the new service, £13,000 to support these items was included in the draft 2024/25 budget.

3)    Supported the implementation of a response service at a cost of £29,000 as included in the draft 2024/25 budget.

4)    Supported Communal TV Aerial changes through capital investment of £111,000, generating an on-going revenue saving of £15,000 which was included within the draft 2024/25 budget.

5)    Supported an increase in the Sheltered Housing Budget of £290,000 and noted that this would be funded through service charges to residents. As set out in the draft 2024/25 budget.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:

That Cabinet Recommend to Full Council:

6)    To increase the establishment as set out in the body of the report.

7)    To approve new service charge categories with an increase in these to sheltered tenants, of no more than £0.88 per week as attached at Appendix A. Tenants would be formally consulted through service of statutory notice.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing: The option to leave SHDC’s Sheltered Housing service as it currently was and not upgrade the equipment, i.e., do nothing, had been considered. Informal Cabinet decided in 2020 that a review was required of the wider sheltered housing service offer to ensure that it was fit for purpose and met SHDC’s Corporate aims and objectives.

·       The decision to upgrade the equipment was made following investigation into the usage and need of the tenants. Lack of investment in the service offer to compliment this investment over the longer term posed significant risk to tenants and the sustainability of sheltered housing to attract future tenants.

Reasons for decision:

·       To ensure that the South Holland District Council’s Sheltered Housing assets were made the best use of and remained safe and secure. In addition, the service offered a preventative model, working in partnership with Health and other key services, helping to keep tenants independent for as long as possible. By working in this way, their needs would be met and by continued engagement, their views would be taken into account. These options would also ensure that Sheltered Housing was attractive to any future tenants, ensuring that it was a sustainable, modern, fit for purpose model.

·       In addition to provide greater clarity and transparency in relation to the Sheltered Housing Service offer and charges, which highlighted that we have listened and delivered to the tenants the services they have told us they wanted and needed).