Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 11th January 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record.

All members will make a declaration at each meeting if they have an interest in any item of business on the agenda which would affect them more than tenants or residents of the ward(s) affected generally.

For information, disclosable pecuniary interests and registrable interests relate to entries that are included, or should be included,  on a councillor’s register of interests. Non-registrable interests relate to any other matters.

No disclosures were made.

A verbal report of the Director of Housing and Wellbeing.

The Board received a presentation on the work undertaken by Savills on behalf of the Council to produce a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Management Strategy.  This included a Stock Condition Survey, an HRA Business Plan, an Energy Study and an Asset Performance Evaluation and Asset Management Strategy, the key elements of which were outlined.

The information set out in the presentation slides would be sent to members of the Board following the meeting.

Assisting with consideration of the matter: The Director Housing and Wellbeing and representatives of Savills listed as present.

Summary of responses to questions and discussion:

(i)        Stock Condition Survey - the exceptional extensive works figures were based on desktop costs provided.

(ii)       Stock Condition Survey – requirement to be 95% accurate with confidence level of plus/minus 4%.  If deviation too great, more surveys would be undertaken.  10% of stock recommended as minimum, around 20% done here.  Accuracy of database increased as more surveys undertaken.

(iii)      HRA Business Plan – increase from £240m to £253m comprised capitalised cost of Council staff in administering.

(iv)    Energy Study – stated that affordable warmth the priority for many tenants, air source heat pumps did not currently represent that.  In response, reason why initial focus on measures to improve fabric of stock, heat pumps a later consideration due to both monitoring technology and maintaining affordable warmth.  Improved fabric also needed for heat pumps to be effective. 

(v)     The Strategy provided a clear direction of travel and tools had been provided to assist its implementation, including for options appraisals.  Confirmed that work by Savills now substantially complete other than some assistance that had been requested regarding energy efficiency quick wins.

(vi)    Further reference to importance of affordable warmth for tenants.  Appropriate to proceed with improvements other than heat pumps, latter should be progressed only once proved/affordable.  Carbon reduction important but not most immediate issue for many.  Tenants also needed to be on board with changes, for that improvements needed to be practical and affordable to them. Noted that Council could not achieve all requirements without subsidy, also that re: current work Council was working to fit most energy efficient products available.

Noted that a more detailed briefing session on zero carbon/energy efficiency element might be provided, members of the Board should let Director Housing and Wellbeing know if interested in attending.

RESOLVED

1.         that the presentation on the work undertaken by Savills on behalf of the Council to produce a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Management Strategy and discussion at this meeting be noted;

2.         that the presentation slides and the draft HRA Asset Management Strategy be circulated to members of the Board and any further comment sent to the Director Housing and Wellbeing, noting that the Strategy was programmed for submission to Cabinet on 9th March 2023.

Reason

1.         To acknowledge the Board’s consideration of the matter.

2.      To enable further consideration and comment should members of the Board so wish, including members who had been unable to attend this meeting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

In accordance with the Board’s decision members of the Board were asked in advance of this agenda being published whether they had any questions on matters within the remint of the Board that they wished to ask, for response at this meeting.

On this occasion no questions were submitted.

In accordance with the Board’s decision at its meeting on 22nd March 2017 (HMAB Minute 24.1), members of the Board had been asked in advance of the agenda being published whether they had any questions on matters within the remit of the Board that they wished to ask, for response at this meeting.

On this occasion, no questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Landlord Services to enable the Board to review and agree its Work Programme, together with meeting dates for 2022/23.

For information further meetings of the Board are scheduled as follows in 2022/23:

1st February 2023 at 4:30

22nd March 2023 at 4:30

26th April 2023 at 4:30

The Board considered a report of the Director Housing and Wellbeing to enable the Board to agree its work programme (item 6 on the agenda).

Assisting with consideration of the matter: The Director Housing and Wellbeing, the Landlord Services Manager and the Democratic Services Officer.

In accordance with recommendation 2 in the report, the Board reviewed the information it wished to receive in the Performance Information Pack sent out with the agenda for each meeting and considered following the formal meeting, if required.

RESOLVED

1.         that Universal Credit data no longer be included in the Performance Information Pack;

2.         that the Board proceeds on the basis of the submitted work programme, updated to reflect work undertaken at this meeting and any amendments or additions agreed above or earlier in the meeting.

Reasons

1.         The Board considered that this information was not currently useful, noting that it could be added in the future if the impact of transferring remaining tenants to Universal Credit became a concern.

2.      To ensure that the Board’s work programme is up to date.