Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That in the absence of the Chair, Councillor Sheila Bailey be elected Chair of the Review Panel for the duration of the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2015 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of items (if any) on the agenda which are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOVLED - That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 6 –‘Complaints Data’ to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual as defined in Category 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair to the individuals concerned and would breach Data Protection principles (see Minute 7 below).

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

No declarations were made.

At the last meeting of the Scrutiny Review Panel members requested the opportunity to talk to current landlords who were customers of the Stockport Homes’ social lettings service.

Two current landlords have been invited to attend the meeting to allow members’ to ask questions in relation to their views on the service.

Following a request made at the last meeting of the Review Panel, arrangements had been made for two current landlords (Susan Rodriguez and Mark Raja) who were customers of the Stockport Homes Lettings Service to attend the meeting to provide evidence to the Review and to answer members’ questions in relation to the operation of the service.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There were significant differences in approach between the private sector lettings agents that the landlords had previously accounted and the Stockport Homes Lettings Service, with particular regard to the approach taken to dealing sensitively with landlords.

·         Careful consideration had been given by Stockport Homes to the appropriateness of particular properties for particular tenants – for example using a bungalow for a tenant with mobility difficulties.

·         Stockport Homes had been able to let the property within a short timescale and offer a number of potential tenants viewings of the property.

·         Communication between the Lettings Agency and landlords had been excellent.

·         Properties were let on the same initial six month tenancy as found in the private sector, with subsequent periodic tenancy with either party being able to give 28 days’ notice.

·         It was suggested that social lettings agencies should aspire to provide more secure tenancies. 

·         It was suggested that additional marketing would provide the publicity necessary to generate additional interest from landlords in the service.

·         The Lettings Service had been able to provide the basic support and assistance to those landlords who were not familiar with the business.

·         The fees charged by Stockport Homes had been competitive with the private sector agencies that had been used by the two landlords interviewed by the Review Panel.

·         The landlords appreciated the flexibility afforded by Lettings Service in the making of repairs to their properties.

RESOLVED – That Susan Rodriguez and Mark Raja be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides details of the commercial offer provided by examples of best practice in the private sector and those of other social lettings agencies.

The Panel is recommended to consider and comment on the appendices to the report.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the commercial offer provided by examples of best practice amongst private sector lettings agencies in addition to those of other social lettings agencies operating throughout the country.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The comparator social lettings agencies, although following similar models, had been set up to address different issues within their respective localities.

·         Stockport Homes had been conservative in its target setting and had performed well in comparison to some of the other examples of social lettings agencies.

·         Properties that become available to let through the Lettings Service were advertised to those on the housing register.

·         Every effort was made to make properties available to rent at the Local Housing Allowance rate.

·         The Lettings Service was marketed, however this had not been done aggressively.

·         Properties had been secured around the Borough, but there were concentrations in particular localities and it was recognised that it was important to achieve a better geographical spread.

·         Any future surplus raised through the service should be reinvested in the social lettings business.

·         Consideration could be given to a public shop frontage akin to that found in the private lettings sector.

·         It was noted that the service currently had properties within its portfolio from outside Stockport and the benefits of this was discussed.

·         Additional marketing and publicity was needed to encourage further landlords to use the service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

At the last meeting of the Scrutiny Review Panel, members requested details of those complaints which had been made by tenants and landlords in relation to the Stockport Homes Lettings Service. 

Formal complaints can be made by landlords and tenants using the Stockport Homes complaints and comments process.  Since the project commenced in June 2012, no formal complaints have been received via the formal complaints procedure. The report details those informal complaints and service issues that have been raised and resolved informally where tenants and landlords have contacted the service directly.

The Scrutiny Review Panel is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Anne-Marie Heil on 161 474 3720 or email: anne-marie.heil@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) responding to a request made at the last meeting of the Review Panel for details of those complaints which had been made by tenants and landlords in relation to the Stockport Homes Lettings Service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To agree the date for the next meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Review Panel be held on Wednesday, 22 April 2015 at 6.00 pm.