Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a joint report of the Director of Resources and Director of Neighbourhoods & Support, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the impact of previous welfare reforms and the projected impact of forthcoming changes.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Christian Hartley on Tel: 0161 474 2834 or email: christian.hartley@stockporthomes.org

A joint report of the Director of Resources & Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes Ltd was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the impact of previous welfare reforms and the projected impact of forthcoming changes.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted the fact that the cap of Housing Benefit at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates would not now happen and discussed the details of new measures being introduced to address concerns around financial hardship being faced by new claimants of Universal Credit.

·         A Councillor sought clarification on why at the end of December 2017 average arrears on UC accounts were considerably higher than arrears on non-UC rent accounts. The critical issue for most tenants has been waiting a minimum six weeks for their first UC payment is that they do not have enough money during that time to pay for rent, utility and food bills.

·         The Committee welcomed the fact that when benchmarked against other ALMOs, average arrears of £370 on UC accounts remain significantly less the ALMO average of £773.

·         Councillors discussed the mitigating measures that had been employed to mitigate the impact of the benefit cap and the new national policies that would soon be implemented.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd be requested to submit regular updates to the Committee.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report sets out the approach of the company to deliver social value through its activities.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Rob Lloyd on Tel: 0161 474 3279 or email: rob.lloyd@ stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the approach of the Stockport Homes Group when delivering social value through its activities.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that the approach adopted by Stockport Homes was based on four key principles, namely, developing self-sustaining local communities,Increasing employment and employability, supporting colleagues to maximise the social value they deliver and reducing carbon use and protecting the environment.

·         A range of social value measures had been developed to monitor the

outcomes of the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy.

·         Stockport Homes’ approach to maximising social value from the supply chain was reflected in its new Value for Money Strategy 2018-21.

·         The Committee were keen on updates being submitted to future meeting on the implementation of the plan and the benefits that it delivers for tenants.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods & Support, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the work of the organisation in supporting customers into employment, training and volunteering and the future vision to support members.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Anne-Marie Heil on Tel: 0161 474 3720 or email: anne-marie.heil@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the work of the organisation in supporting customers into employment, training and volunteering and plans for the future to enable more customers to be supported.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In 2017 Stockport Homes had successfully supported 136 people into work using a variety of initiatives and support methods tailored to the individual. Over 248 individuals had accessed training support.

·         Stockport Homes had developed a menu of employment, training and support initiatives to meet the varying needs of customers.

·         Councillors enquired what plans had been put in place for when the Talent Match funding ended in 2018 and asked for an update at the next meeting.

·         Further information was requested in respect to the number of apprentices appointed by the company and how many of those apprentices had secured employment.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistance Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the work of Stockport Homes within the Greater Manchester Housing Provider’s (GMHP) Group and the implications for Stockport.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Sandra Coleing by email: Sandra.coleing@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update on the work of Stockport Homes within the Greater Manchester Housing Providers Group (GMHP)

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted that following Grenfell, a High Rise Task Force was established by the GMCA, which was politically led demonstrating its importance supported by three subgroups, technical, legal and communications.

·         A Councillor enquired how much officer time was spent interacting with colleagues at a Greater Manchester level and how officers felt this benefited company operations.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides a summary of year to date performance against corporate performance year to date 2017/2018.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Jemma Russell on Tel: 0161 474 4497 or email: jenna.russell@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a year to date summary of performance against corporate indicators.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors welcomed the fact that performance remained excellent for the average time taken to re-let properties and the number of mutual exchanges carried out, both of which have exceeded their targets and improved on last year’s performance.

·         An explanation was provided as to why the Corporate Performance Indicators had been chosen and clarification was sought in respect to the SLA for IT services availability both historically and for the revised future agreement.

·         A report on customer satisfaction in respect to repairs completed at the first visit was requested.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on financial performance between April and December 2017.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: John Kennedy on Tel: 0161 474 2868 or email: john.kennedy@ stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on financial performance between April and December 2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A breakdown of the number of full time equivalent employees was requested and housing stock levels.

·         Cash flow was being closely monitored and current forecast show that positive balances remain.

·         An explanation was sought in respect to why Repair 1^st had achieved a surplus of £39,000 to date.

·         A breakdown of employee by gender was requested and it was agreed that a copy of the pay analysis would be submitted to a future meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on issues which may be of interest to the Committee.

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Verity Calderbank on Tel: 0161 474 2863 or email: verity.calderbank@stockporthomes.org

The Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Committee on issues which may be of interest that are not typically incorporated in the standard reports.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that following the success of the Edgeley community development pilot, targeted multi agency work continued with on-going projects at Woodhall and Willow, Reddish and Mottram Street.

·         A wide range of youth activities had been delivered during February half term, including a range of multi-sports sessions and wellbeing groups.

·         The Committee requested further information in respect to the number of staff deployed in the Anti-Social Behaviour Service.

·         The Assets & Development Team have worked with Independent Living Services to identify regeneration works to Oaktree Court Sheltered Scheme. The scheme would undergo major refurbishment works in the next six months.

·         The Committee congratulated Helen McHale for being recognised in the 24housing ‘Power Players’ list.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee are requested to approve the following dates for meetings for the remainder of 2018:-

·         9 July 2018

·         15 October 2018

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for meetings of the Committee to be held on the following dates:-

·         9 July 2018 at 2.00pm

·         15 October 2018 at 2.00pm