Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and note any substitutions.

Members who are unable to attend this meeting must submit apologies by the end of Monday 13 February 2023 to enable a substitute to be arranged, if applicable.

Cllr Chris Howard, Cllr Jerome Davidson and Cllr Jan Floyd-Douglass

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2023 will be agreed at the Committees next ordinary meeting.

There were no minutes to approve.

To receive Members’ declarations of interests in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting, in accordance with Waverley’s Code of Local Government Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The Chairman to respond to any written questions received from members of the public in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

The deadline for receipt of written questions is 5pm on Tuesday 14 February 2023.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

The deadline for receipt of written questions is 5pm on Tuesday 14 February 2023.

There were no questions from council members.

The purpose of this report is to update the Resources O&S Committee (the Committee) performance of the current portfolio projected to the end of the financial year and the progress and work of the Property Investment Advisory Board (PIAB), which advises the Executive on property investment matters. 

Peter Vickers, Executive Head of Finance, addressed the Committee on the property performance and assets investment advisory activity.  He advised that there had been progress made over the last 6-7 years and that there was an element of legacy residual from the commercial properties that the council held, he noted that the report provided a performance summary of the properties as they were a key part of the council’s finance.

Peter Vickers also advised that there was an update in the exempt papers on the local investments and regeneration projects currently underway.

To update members on the progress made with delivery of the pilot project to deep retrofit seven properties at Ockford Ridge.

Andrew Smith, Executive Head of Housing addressed the Committee, he advised that Louisa Blundell, Housing Development Manager would introduce the report.  The Committee received a presentation and update on the next phase of the Ockford Ridge deep retro fit and green energy pilot.  Louisa Blundell advised the Committee that Ockford Ridge was a regeneration scheme which to date had delivered three phases of new builds and four phases of retrofits which included an early-stage pilot (5 properties). 

The Committee viewed example images of the pre and post retrofit properties which were part of phase three of the programme.  The Chair sought further clarity on the phases and the total number of retrofitted properties.  Louisa Blundell confirmed the following:

Pilot phase - 5 homes

Phase 1 - 12 homes

Phase 2 - 9 homes (which only underwent external work);

Phase 3 - 7 homes

She noted that there was a total of 33 units completed and there was another 7 units identified in Phase 4.  Louisa Blundell outlined the different degrees of the retrofits, advising that the units in phases 1 & 3 were stripped back to brick and where required bathrooms were moved upstairs.  The Chair queried whether the properties had insulation installed, Louisa Blundell confirmed that insulation was fitted in the lofts.  She also noted that the ceilings in properties had been replaced with new modern materials and were better for the health and wellbeing of residents.

Louisa Blundell explained to the Committee that she would be seeking approval for Phase 4 and had identified a further 7 homes for refurbishment (16, 17, 169, 170, 172, 173 and 183 Ockford Ridge).  She advised the Committee that planning permission had been obtained to extend 183 Ockford Ridge which would provide adapted wheelchair accessible accommodation with ground floor bedroom and wet room. She noted that they had used the garden at the front and side of the property to make the best the Council’s asset whilst meeting a specific housing need. 

Louisa Blundell advised the Committee that the difference in Phase 4 was that they intended to pilot green technology, she explained that this included replacing the double-glazed windows, to include wastewater heat recovery, electric charging points, PV panels, external insulations with the ability to match brickwork, and install smart thermometers which provide data analytics.  Louisa Blundell noted that the installation cost for the thermostats were £350 per unit, and it would allow the council to obtain information on the performance of the property, help understand how the residents operate their property, provide advice, and increase engagement with residents around damp and mould.

Louisa Blundell discussed the data privacy, she advised that some councils who had adopted the technology have advised tenants that they have rights to the data to ensure that the properties are managed appropriately, she noted that it was something that the council needed to clarify with legal services.  The Chair queried if it was the intention to enter into an agreement with the tenant to access the data.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the following recommendation of the motion of the Chairman:

Recommendation

That pursuant to Procedure Rule 20 and in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in the appropriate paragraph(s) of the revised Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (to be specified at the meeting).

This reports provides the Committee with an update on the performance of the current portfolio projected to the end of the financial year.

Exempt Papers