Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 March 2018 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair Councillors 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 no later than 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 report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides an update on how Stockport Homes has delivered on its objectives in 2017/2018.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Gill Bennett on Tel: 474 3823 or email: gill.bennett@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on how the company had delivered against its objectives in 2017/2018.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors welcomed the performance against critical measures and customer satisfaction measures which had been excellent.

·         Whilst the increasing use of social media and digital interactions was welcomed, it was just as important to retain the option for tenants to be able to speak directly with officers.

·         The Committee discussed the impact of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers Group and the impact of the Combined Authority.

·         The response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and designing fire safety information for tenants.

·         It was suggested that future reports should be set out in a way that shows how the delivery plan outcomes relate to the Council Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides information on the Value for Money Strategy 2015-2018.

The Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the outcomes of the Value for Money Strategy 2015-2018.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors questioned what the trigger was to become a larger provider.

·         During the life of the strategy, efficiencies totalling £3,643,186 had been made.

·         Councillors requested further detailed information in respect to Objective Two and in particular potential efficiencies through the procurement of goods and services.

·         Potential implications following withdrawal of membership of the European Union.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Director of Neighbourhoods and Support.

The report provides and update on the experiences of tenants using data from a range of customer interactions.

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

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the experiences of tenants using data from a range of customer interactions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Data was gathered from tenants through a variety of means. Satisfaction remained high.

·         Performance had been positive across a range of service standards and seven of the standards had achieved a performance of 100%.

·         Councillors welcomed the fact that all services irrespective of their performance level had analysed the performance responses and noted the responses outlined in Appendix 2.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the attached presentation.

The Social Inclusion Manager, Stockport Homes made a presentation in respect to the Customer Access Strategy 2019-2021.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee discussed the choice of targets and whether they were achievable/set at an appropriate level.

·         Councillors reiterated that whilst online interactions should be encouraged and promoted, the option to speak directly with officers should be retained.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to work undertaken in respect to Customer Insight and on the Welcome to Excellence Training.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that updates on the implementation of the proposals be submitted to future meetings of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources.

The report provides and analysis on the Gender Pay Gap.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Tanya Haynes on Tel: 07582 000582 or email: Tanya.haynes@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an analysis on the gender pay gap and informing the Committee on actions being taken to address any issues of concern.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         On the whole the findings detailed in the report were welcomed – however, members agreed that this should not lead to complacency. The Committee were assured that work continued to narrow the gap.

·         The Committee discussed the ‘progression pathway’ which was a policy to support individuals identified as having capacity to progress within the company.

·         More work was required to encourage women to seek employment in those occupations which traditionally have been occupied by men.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources.

The report presents a strategic review of rent arrears outstanding at the end of March 2018 and details the resultant trend analysis which are informing targeting actions to continually improve rent arrears management.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Christian Hartley on Tel: 474 2824 or email: Christian.hartley@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the strategic review of rent arrears outstanding at the end of March 2018 and detailing targeted actions undertaken to improve rent arrears management.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Despite overall rent arrears performance at the end of 2017/2018 remaining excellent, analysis of arrears by age, property type and area continue to demonstrate recurring trends.

·         The in house Money Advice Team continue to assist customers to access additional benefits/grants and to challenge benefit decisions.

·         The Committee discussed those customer groups who were struggling to maintain rent payments and those most likely to struggle as Universal Credit was fully rolled out. They heard the actions that Stockport Homes would take to support and advise those most affected.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update be provided to a future meeting.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides details of the regulatory framework compliance assessment.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the regulatory framework compliance assessment.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides a year end update on performance against indicators and measures and on progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan for 2017/2018.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a year end update on performance against indicators and measures and on progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan for 2017/2018 and Value for Money.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the performance outcomes detailed in the report be welcomed.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources.

The report provides an update on financial performance to April 2018.

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

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

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proving an update in financial performance to April 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The report provides information on issues which may be of strategic interest to the Committee.

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

The Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on issues which may be of interest to members which were not included in the other reports.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         £1.6m in capital grant funding has been secured from Homes England to part-fund a new development of 33 flats at Tatton Cinema in Gately. It was suggested that Committee members where possible attend an opening of a new home scheme.

·         Stockport Homes Group has been named in the ‘Top 75 Best Places to

Work’ in the region. This accolade follows success at being named ‘40th Best Not-For-Profit Organisation to Work For’ in the Sunday Times Top 100.

·         Over the last three years Stockport Homes’ corporate apprenticeship

scheme has supported 11 apprentices, seven of whom have gone on to secure posts within SHG and four with other organisations – a 100 per cent success rate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update in respect to Talent Match be provided at a future meeting.