Agenda, decisions and minutes

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2023.

Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing (Operations and Services), Cllr Paul Rivers, approved the minutes of the meeting held on the 20 July 2023.

To receive from members, declarations of interest in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting, in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing to respond to any questions received from members of the public for which notice has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Tuesday 25 September 2023.

There were no questions received from members of the public.

The Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Tuesday 25 September 2023.

There were no questions received from member of the council.

The housing services asset management IT system (AMS) is a core system that stores all housing asset information on c.5000 properties and their components.  The AMS supports the delivery of core services to tenants alongside the housing management system (HMS).  It is essential that the council has a clear understanding of housing assets to manage and maintain homes effectively and meet regulatory and legal requirements.

Recommendation

That the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing (Operations & Services) approves:

1.     The strategy used to procure an AMS, comprising of a direct award of over £100,000

2.     Following the framework guidance on issuing direct award to MIS Active Management System through the Vertical Application Solution, a Crown Commercial Framework Agreement, RM6259; and

3.     The delegation of authority to award the resultant contract to the Executive Head of Housing.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

Following a comprehensive review into the service needs and research into what is available on the market, one product has been identified.  It is the only product on the market that meets our user needs, fulfils our technical requirements, and can be installed as a stand-alone system and not part of an integrated HMS. 

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approved the strategy used to procure an AMS, comprising of a direct award of over £100,000

2.     Approved following the framework guidance on issuing direct award to MIS Active Management System through the Vertical Application Solution, a Crown Commercial Framework Agreement, RM6259; and

3.     Approved the delegation of authority to award the resultant contract to the Executive Head of Housing.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

Following a comprehensive review into the service needs and research into what is available on the market, one product has been identified.  It is the only product on the market that meets our user needs, fulfils our technical requirements, and can be installed as a stand-alone system and not part of an integrated HMS. 

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approved the strategy used to procure an AMS, comprising of a direct award of over £100,000

2.     Approved following the framework guidance on issuing direct award to MIS Active Management System through the Vertical Application Solution, a Crown Commercial Framework Agreement, RM6259; and

3.     Approved the delegation of authority to award the resultant contract to the Executive Head of Housing.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

Following a comprehensive review into the service needs and research into what is available on the market, one product has been identified.  It is the only product on the market that meets our user needs, fulfils our technical requirements, and can be installed as a stand-alone system and not part of an integrated HMS. 

The purpose of this report is to request the approval to buy back an ex-council home in Weybourne, Farnham to provide quality housing in an area with high housing need. The purchase of the home will be funded from the Housing Revenue Account buy back reserve.  After one year from purchase the property will start to make a net income contribution to the Housing Revenue Account.

Recommendation

That the Executive - Co Portfolio Holder for Housing (Operations & Services) is asked to:

1.     Approve the principle of the buy back on the terms set out in the report, and the use of the buyback reserve for this, together with any related professional costs and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Further approves the property being appropriated for Housing Purposes as part of the Housing Revenue Account.

2.     Delegate to the Executive Head of Housing to approve the final terms of the purchase.

3.     Grant delegated authority to the Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services to approve the final form of wording of any legal agreements related to the purchase.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

To support the Council’s ability to meet housing needs in the borough.

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approve the principle of the buy back on the terms set out in the report, and the use of the buyback reserve for this, together with any related professional costs and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Further approves the property being appropriated for Housing Purposes as part of the Housing Revenue Account.

2.     Delegate to the Executive Head of Housing to approve the final terms of the purchase.

3.     Grant delegated authority to the Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services to approve the final form of wording of any legal agreements related to the purchase.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

To support the Council’s ability to meet housing needs in the borough.

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approve the principle of the buy back on the terms set out in the report, and the use of the buyback reserve for this, together with any related professional costs and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Further approves the property being appropriated for Housing Purposes as part of the Housing Revenue Account.

2.     Delegate to the Executive Head of Housing to approve the final terms of the purchase.

3.     Grant delegated authority to the Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services to approve the final form of wording of any legal agreements related to the purchase.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

To support the Council’s ability to meet housing needs in the borough.

The purpose of this report is to make recommends to seek approval from the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder of Housing the provision of major adaptations to a council property in Farnham, to meet the needs of a disabled child. The family’s Occupational Therapist has confirmed that the adaptions are necessary and appropriate.

Recommendations

That the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing (Operations & Services) is asked to:

1.     Approve an application for major adaptations to a council home to facilitate the needs of a resident disabled young person, with the agreed scheme budget subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey County Council.

2.     Approve the overall allocation from the Aids and Adaptions Budget to part fund the cost of the adaptations, and delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to enter into an agreement with Surrey County Council to fund the balance of the overall scheme costs.

3.     Delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to procure and award a contract to carry out the adaptations referred to in the exempt report, subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey Council.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

The reason for making these recommendations to the Executive are so that the housing needs of a family with a disabled child are met.

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approve an application for major adaptations to a council home to facilitate the needs of a resident disabled young person, with the agreed scheme budget subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey County Council.

2.     Approve the overall allocation from the Aids and Adaptions Budget to part fund the cost of the adaptations, and delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to enter into an agreement with Surrey County Council to fund the balance of the overall scheme costs.

3.     Delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to procure and award a contract to carry out the adaptations referred to in the exempt report, subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey Council.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

The reason for making these recommendations to the Executive are so that the housing needs of a family with a disabled child are met.

Having considered the comments of the Landlord Services Advisory Board (Executive Working Group), the Executive Co-Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Paul Rivers,

RESOLVED to,

1.     Approve an application for major adaptations to a council home to facilitate the needs of a resident disabled young person, with the agreed scheme budget subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey County Council.

2.     Approve the overall allocation from the Aids and Adaptions Budget to part fund the cost of the adaptations, and delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to enter into an agreement with Surrey County Council to fund the balance of the overall scheme costs.

3.     Delegate authority to the Executive Head of Housing to procure and award a contract to carry out the adaptations referred to in the exempt report, subject to the Council entering into a joint funding agreement with Surrey Council.

Reason(s) for Recommendation:

The reason for making these recommendations to the Executive are so that the housing needs of a family with a disabled child are met.