Agenda item

The Committee received a report from Councillor Max Holloway as Chair of the Task and Finish Panel.  Councillor Holloway thanked Officers for the work they undertook to provide the large array of information required by the Panel; and the Panel members for their contributions, especially over the festive period, which allowed for the report to be finalised.

Councillor Holloway explained that the Panel had received a picture of how the service should run and what residents should expect from it. This was followed by a series of questions and answers, which had led to the recommendations in front of the Committee. The Members noted the 13 observations and recommendations set out in the report.

The importance of the asset grading exercise the council had already commissioned was noted, as well as the recommendation that the outcome should be brought to the Cabinet Housing Panel, and that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee may wish to convene a Task and Finish Group to review the finding once the exercise is complete. The Panel also highlighted the need for Officers to resolve the backlog of long-term complaints that was outstanding and produce a more proactive communication plan to encourage tenants to engage the council on any maintenance issues as soon as they arose.

Councillor Holloway explained that the Panel commissioned and reviewed a heat map of mould issues across the borough. Based on the evidence examined, the Panel concluded that whilst there was a considerable number of residents who had encountered mould issues, there was no one prevailing cause of mould in properties in Welwyn Hatfield. The age and condition of certain properties, and a lack of a robust maintenance programme, were a contributing factor and an ongoing consideration needed to be given to the regular upkeep of properties. This included regular gutter maintenance on all properties within the housing stock and tree maintenance, as these were contributing factors to mould issues suffered by residents.

Members were informed that the instances of ‘exceptional’ voids by-in-large stemmed from a lack of regular maintenance on Council properties. The completion of the asset grading exercise alongside the increase in the 5-year planned maintenance programme would go some way in tackling the issues leading to longer void times.

Members were reminded that at the Full Council meeting on 17 November 2021, it was unanimously agreed that the Panel would review the “Window Repairs and Replacement” policy with specific regard to the replacement of ‘priority’ windows. The Panel proposed a change to the policy which would remove specifically named rooms as being a relevant consideration when it came to the replacement of blown/misty windows.

The following points were raised and noted:

•                  The Committee thanked Panel Members and especially Councillor Holloway for their work and efforts, and congratulated them on the report and its findings.

•                  By setting high and robust standards for maintenance of council properties, it should raise the standards for residents of private landlords.

•                  Members noted a report which had been circulated to Group Leaders with regards to asbestos. It was agreed that Members would need to review the report before making a recommendation.

•                  On the issue of voids, the Panel confirmed that they did not find anything which would indicate a systemic problem with council properties being left vacant for a significant amount of time.

A motion to agree the Panel’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor J. Cragg and seconded by Councillor G. Hayes.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the Panel’s recommendation, as set out in the report, be agreed.