To
select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision
Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)
Decision:
Engagement
& Participation Annual Report
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Annual
Complaints Report
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Policy
on Rent and Service Charge Arrears Prevention and Recovery
Following
scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.
Grant
Arrangements for the Provision of Warm and Welcoming Spaces SPF Sustainable
Communities Grant Funding
Following
scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.
Minutes:
Engagement
& Participation Annual Report
Members
considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.
The
Director of Social Services advised that this item pertains to Children’s
Services. Reports relating to Adult Services and Housing will be brought to a
future meeting.
Members
referred to the report which outlined a meeting had been held with landlords.
Members queried how many private landlords attended the meeting. Further, how
many private landlords there are in NPT and if members could have a list of
landlords so that the member can research how many private rental houses there
are available in comparison to housing association properties. Officers confirmed that the meeting was
attended only by private landlords. The forum was held to provide information,
support and advice to landlords around things that may be of relevance to the
landlords. It is intended to hold these forums every quarter. Officers advised
that they would be unable to provide a list of all private landlords in the
area and could not confirm how many private properties there are in Neath Port
Talbot. However, this information may be held by Environmental Health.
The
Chair advised that Rent Smart Wales holds a lot of information with regards to
the private rentals available within specific wards. The Chair also asked
officers to let the committee know of any future forums/events that committee members
are able to attend, as they provide a lot of useful information to members.
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Annual
Complaints Report
Members
considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.
Members
asked for clarification on page 40. It was noted that all complaints were
resolved at stage 1, however members queried if any complaints progress to
further stages. The report also outlines complaints that were partially upheld,
members queried if there were any appeals. Officers confirmed that there would
have been a number of complaints which progressed to the next stage. Officers
outlined the various stages of the complaints process. Stage 1 is an
investigation by internal officers. Stage 2 is an investigation by external officers
and Stage 3 is a referral to the Ombudsman. Members advised that it would be
useful to have the various numbers of complaints at different stages outlined
within the report. The Director advised that he would obtain that information
for members.
Members
referred to page 42 of the report and the corporate complaints procedure.
Members queried if there were any complaints which fell into this procedure
that were related to Social Services. Officers advised that this information it
sent to officers weekly and is available. Corporate complaints tend to straddle
more than one directorate. Officers advised that they would circulate the
information relating to complaints which were considered via the corporate
complaints process.
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Policy
on Rent and Service Charge Arrears Prevention and Recovery
Members
considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.
The
policy sets out a process that officers would undertake to prevent people,
living in temporary accommodation, accruing arrears, and what action would be
taken if people continuously fail to pay rent or their service charge. Officers
stressed the importance of supporting people in temporary accommodation to make
regular payments towards the costs identified and for those that do find
themselves in arrears, that they are supported and helped towards working
towards paying off that debt. Officers outlined the importance in this process,
not only to the financial impact on the Council when there are arrears but also
when a person has a history of bad debt it makes it a lot more difficult for
people to leave temporary accommodation. This may have a detrimental effect on
the person themselves and also a large financial cost to the Council.
Officers
outlined the process if a person is entitled to housing benefit. The housing
benefit is paid directly to the Council therefore its very rare that a person
would get into debt. However, where a person is not in receipt of housing
benefit, a policy like this is required to allow the Council to take action
where a person is responsible for paying their rent and they do not pay it.
Alongside rent there is a service charge, approximately £16/week which
residents in temporary accommodation are required to pay. This is often where
the debt will arise as people in temporary accommodation are responsible for
paying that charge directly to the Council. To date, there has been very little
consequence if a person fails to make regular payments to the authority. The
policy will set out a clear framework which details how the authority will work
with people who accrue arrears and also assist with people not getting into
debt in the first instance.
Members
sought assurances that the policy will not disadvantage vulnerable people. Officers
recognised that people in temporary accommodation are often some of the most
vulnerable members of the community, Officers advised that the policy would
only be implemented where officers are satisfied that everything has been done
to try and support the person living in temporary accommodation from accruing
arrears. Members were provided with an overview with regards to what is done
before a person is offered temporary accommodation, for example setting out the
payments required, reading through associated contracts etc. in a way that is
clear for the person.
When
someone is placed in temporary accommodation, a person is allocated a Support
and Accommodation Officer. Their role is to communicate with the person and
develop a personal support plan for that person that is relevant to their life
circumstances.
Officers
confirmed that they also linked with other organisations, including Welfare
Rights, that could assist with supporting the person. Officer will also
accompany the person to various appointments to help them to understand the
advice that may be provided to them. Further, they can refer the person to
specialist debt advice agencies who can assist with their debt management. The
authority also provide a ‘tenancy ready’ courses. This course helps to prepare
and gain skills ready to manage a home, for example budgeting. Support is also
provided to help people access employment.
Officers
gave an example of when the policy would not be implemented. This could happen
when benefits are suspended, and the person would no longer be able to meet the
payments required for temporary accommodation. Officer assisted the person in
getting their benefits reinstated and also a back payment made. This meant that
the person could then pay back the arrears.
Members
queried how much outstanding arrears there are currently. Officers advised that
they did not know the exact amount but that there were some notable amounts
outstanding. Officers advised that they could obtain the figure and circulate
to members.
Members
noted the extensive support offered by the service that had been highlighted
during the meeting.
Following
scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board.
Grant
Arrangements for the Provision of Warm and Welcoming Spaces SPF Sustainable
Communities Grant Funding
Members
considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.
Members
asked that they be provided with a list of the warm spaces that are currently
available for people to access. Officers advised that they would circulate this
information.
Following
scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board