Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
4.1
NPT Homes Progress Report – to May 2017
Members
considered progress report that gave an overview of the progress made by NPT
Homes in respect of the promises made to tenants in the Council’s Offer
Document.
Members
asked for clarity on the issue of anti social
behaviour and the findings of the internal audit. Officers stated that a
significant amount of work had been undertaken on anti
social behaviour and this had been done in conjunction with the tenants.
It was further clarified that lawyers are used where appropriate (e.g. for
injunctions with the power of arrest). Members noted that the latest report
stated that there has been an improvement and monitoring is undertaken by the
board.
Members
asked whether there was a risk associated with welfare reform. It was noted that there was a risk but not
great enough to affect the sustainability of the organisation. The risks were
due to the Universal Credit now being paid directly to individuals as opposed
directly to NPT Homes however, NPT Homes have undertaken a great deal of work
educating tenants on the changes. It was further clarified that should a tenant
hit 8 weeks of arrears then the Department of Work and Pensions will step in
and pay the rent (by reducing the residual benefit payable to the tenant) and
then make alternative arrangements paying the future rent direct to the
landlord.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
4.2
NPT Homes Adoption of Community Housing Cymru’s Model
Rules for Wales
Members
considered a report that gave information on NPT Homes’ intention to adopt the
CHC’s Model Rules for Wales.
Officers
asked Members to note that NPT Homes were adopting this in line with Welsh
Government guidance.
Members
raised concern in relation to the make up of the
board and rules in relation to quorum. Officers stated that to improve the functionality
of the Board they were now looking at skills of those applying for a position.
Members also queried why the number of tenant members would be reduced from 4
to 3 and it was confirmed that this would not be an issue because there had
been a vacancy for over a year which the NPT homes had not been able to fill.
Officers
advised that the new Members of the Board had a wide range of skills and
included former Chief Executives of different organisations.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
4.3
Vibrant and Viable Places Progress Report
Members
considered a report on the successful delivery of the Vibrant and Viable Places
Regeneration Programme for Port Talbot.
Members
asked whether the amount of areas used for housing was the best use of space.
Officers advised that due to the guidelines for receiving funding that
generally housing was the preferred option and with a shortage in the County
Borough this was welcomed. It was further noted that in the instance of Aberafan House it was not economically viable to continue
the building as an office block, and that the former Police Station and Glanafan School were now deemed to be surplus to their
original uses.
Members
asked for clarity in relation land at Burrows Yard that had been deemed
contaminated. Officers stated that investigations were ongoing to identify
remedial works at a lower cost. As it currently stands it is a possibility that
the costs of remediation might make the site too expensive to use by Coastal
Housing and if the site is not used for housing then Welsh Government would
need to be consulted should an alternative use be identified.
Members
asked whether there will be any future funding for such schemes and officers
stated that there had been talk of a Vibrant and Viable Places 2 programme but
as yet no firm details had been confirmed.
Members
asked for further information in relation to the Homes above Shops initiative
particularly in the Station Road area. Officers stated that this had n ot progressed because the works
required would have potentially had a detrimental impact on the food
businesses. Officers continued that the Council still owned the previous Eden
Nightclub and it was the intention to seek to still convert the space above to
homes.
Members
raised their concern on whether the proposed retail units at the Police Station
would be economically viable unlike Custom House. Officers stated that with the
new transport hub in development the retail units will have sufficient
customers to be viable.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.