Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 February 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on the 17 February 2020 were approved as a correct record.

It was noted that Councillor John Wright was present at the meeting held on 17 February 2020.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

Councillor                 Interest

Wendy Wild              Any item on the agenda relating to foodbanks as a Trustee of Chelwood Foodbank.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

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 questions 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 Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report updates Members on Stockport Homes Group’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact this has had on services, staff and the business.

The Committee are invited to note the progress made in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer contact Sandra Coleing Email Sandra.coleing@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on Stockport Homes Group’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact this has had on services, staff and the business.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that the report was extremely comprehensive and helpful and that was very much appreciated.

·         Members noted the increase in anti-social behaviour reports and queried how this was being dealt with.  In response, Members were advised that the increase was felt to be due to people being cooped up together during the lockdown period and it was noted that there had been an increase in noise nuisance.  There had been a campaign to promote the services of the anti-social behaviour team and this may have accounted for the increase in the number of cases.  There had not been an increase in more serious domestic abuse cases.

·         The numbers of people contacted during the pandemic, Members felt to be particularly impressive and the calls to the over 70’s appeared to be especially valued.

·         Members asked about the situation for homeless people and queried whether there had been any positive changes.  In response, Members were advised that only 6 people from Stockport had been placed in hotels and that these people had now gone back into hostels.  Services that would not normally be offered, for example psychological services, were now being put in place.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Property and Maintenance Services.

The report provides an overview of Customer Safety compliance, performance and activity during 2019/20 and highlights initiatives to be taken during 2020/2021.  The report aims to provide assurance that Stockport Homes Groups properties and buildings are managed safely and in line with statutory obligations.

The Committee are invited to note the report and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer contact:  Kate Meredith Email kate.meredith@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Property and Maintenance Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an overview of Customer Safety compliance, performance and activity during 2019/20 and highlighted initiatives to be taken during 2020/2021.  The report aimed to provide assurance that Stockport Homes Groups properties and buildings are managed safely and in line with statutory obligations.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The Chair commented on the exceptional performance of the Stockport Homes Group during this difficult time.

·         Members queried whether there had been any issues in relation to asbestos in any Stockport Homes’ buildings.  In response, Members were advised that the situation with regard to asbestos was being well managed.  It was not always necessary to remove asbestos, as if left undisturbed it was perfectly safe.

·         A short discussion took place around the fire safety audit and Members were advised that the one issue that had been raised had subsequently been addressed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report updates Members on how Stockport Homes delivered its objectives in 2019/20.

The Committee are invited to note the report and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer contact Rob Lloyd Email rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on how Stockport Homes delivered its objectives in 2019/20.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members were pleased to note that Stockport Homes Group continued to be considered a good employer and that there had been an increase in the diversity of the workforce.  An increase in the number of employees with disabilities would be very welcome.

·         A query was raised in relation to flooding and what lessons had been learned.  Members were advised that a flood risk group had been established and the group had reflected on Stockport Homes Groups response and preparedness.  A consultant had been employed to map out the flood risks across all Stockport Homes estates.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Director of Neighbourhoods, Access and support.

The report updates Members on the experiences of tenants using data from a range of customer interactions.

The Committee are invited to note the report and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer contact Rob Lloyd Email rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) and the Director of Neighbourhoods, Access and support submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the experiences of tenants using data from a range of customer interactions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In relation to the Tenants Termination Service, Members asked whether outside agencies had ever been considered to conduct the survey as more could possibly be learnt.  In response Members were advised that this was not something that had been done previously, it was something that could be investigated but costs were always going to be an issue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Property and Maintenance Services

The report updates Members on the performance of the 2019/20 Capital Programme delivery.

The Committee are invited to note the report and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer contact Steve Leonard Email steve.leonard@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Property and Maintenance Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated which updated Members on the performance of the 2019/20 Capital Programme delivery.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members raised the issue of apprentices and how many continued into employment with Stockport Homes once their apprenticeship was completed.  In response, Members were advised that there was a good success rate, with many apprentices finding employment with Beat4box.  All apprentices were tracked so that their onward journey could be monitored.

·         Members were pleased to note the apprentices’ progression route and that there was an excellent training programme to provide them with useful skills.

·         A short discussion took place relating to the issue of recycling in high rise blocks.  Members requested that a report on this issue comes to the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report updates Members on performance against indicators.

The Committee are invited to note the report and improvement actions and raise any issues of concern about the explanations presented where targets or objectives have not been met.

Officer contact Rob Lloyd Email rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on performance against indicators.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources.

The report updates Members with an update on Stockport Homes’ financial performance to April 2020.

The Committee are invited to note the report and comment on the latest financial results.

Officer contact John Kennedy Email john.kennedy@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Members with an update on Stockport Homes’ financial performance to April 2020.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members noted that in spite of the impact of COVID-19, the overall picture was positive and that the biggest risk in the future related to the economy and people potentially losing their jobs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report updates Members on issues not included in other reports but which are likely to be of interest.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on issues not included in other reports but which were likely to be of interest.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members requested more information relating to Carecall and the new app for reporting anti-social behaviour at the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.