Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Grey & Williamson and Mr R Read (Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods)

It was noted that there were no Declarations of Interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2016 were confirmed.

With regard to minute number 8, Housing Review Appeals Report, it was noted that the resolution should be amended as follows:-

(ii) That the Housing Appeals Committee will be reinstated after 6 months.

The Committee noted that in reference to minute number 6, Housing - Current Services and Issues that the Group Manager - Housing Services would circulate a copy of Community Housing's Empty Property List with the minutes.

The Group Manager - Housing Services reported that he was still awaiting further guidance in regard to Councillor Williamson's question regarding Fixed Term tenancies for tenants who had specific disabled adaptations carried out to their properties and were not classed as exempt.

The Committee considered the report from the Corporate Policy and Performance Officer regarding a nomination which had been received from a community group asking the Council to list the Kings Head Public House, Filby as an Asset of Community Value.

The Corporate Policy and Performance Officer reported that under section 3, Financial Implications, where it had been marked as None, there was actually a financial implication that the Council could incur in that a private owner may claim compensation for loss and expense incurred through the asset being listed or previously listed. The Regulations state that a claim can be made by the owner:

• from a period of delay in entering into a binding agreement to sell which is wholly caused by the interim or full moratorium period;
• for legal expenses incurred in a successful appeal to the Tribunal.

A Member spoke in favour of the public house being listed as an asset of community value.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee agree that the Kings Head Public House, Filby should be listed as an Asset of Community Value and the building and associated land are considered to meet the statutory criteria as the current use furthers the social well-being or social interests of the local community and it is realistic to think that the use can continue and further (whether or not in the same way) the social well-being or social interests of the local community.

The Committee considered the report form the Housing Business and Finance Manager which set out the outturn position of the Housing Revenue Account 2015/16, which was subject to audit review and would be completed in September 2016.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the report.

The Committee received a presentation on Community Safety from the Partnerships Officer (Neighbourhoods and Communities)  and Superintendent Wiltshire, Norfolk Police.

The Partnerships Officer asked the Committee to endorse the following five subject headings to be submitted as the Council's response to the Police and Crime Commissioner's Consultation. (The same five headings had been submitted to the Police's Strategic Assessment consultation which had closed in early July 2016) :-

• Anti-Social Behaviour
• Mental Health
• Domestic Abuse
• Substance Misuse
• Child and Adult Exploitation/Abuse

The Chairman thanked Superintendent Wiltshire and the Partnerships Officer for their informative presentation.

RESOLVED:

That the five headings listed above be submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner Consultation.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Manager, (Housing Health and Wellbeing) on the Better Care Fund/Disabled Facilities Grant Locality Plan.

A Member asked for clarification of the need for the Council agreed approved borrowing of £233,000. The Group Manager reported that the Council historically borrowed an amount based on last years outturn figure, to bolster the DFG grant, as the DFG  had always been underfunded in the past. This year, the £233,000 would only be utilised if required, it will act as a safety blanket, although it is not anticipated that it will need to be used.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee endorse the Better Care Fund/Disabled Grant Locality Plan.

The Committee considered the report from the Neighbourhood Manager, MESH, which updated Members with regard to progress made at the Shrublands site on the integration of services to support the health and wellbeing of Gorleston residents.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the report.

The Committee considered the report from the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods regarding the application made to the DCLG to be included as part of the Estates Regeneration Programme.

A Member asked if housing estates in Gorleston had been overlooked in favour of housing estates near the Town Centre. The Group Manager (Housing Services) reported that no decisions had yet been taken, but that housing estates near the Town Centre would perhaps benefit more from a regeneration project as opposed to a refurbishment project.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Committee agree to work with the Government to pilot the self-assessment tool and to follow through with any support offered in the preparation stage.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Group Manager, (Housing Services).

The report gave an update on current performance of Housing & Neighbourhoods measures for the first quarter of 2016/17, April to June, where progress was assessed against targets which were set at the start of the financial year.

Progress against targets was assessed by Red/Amber/Green ratings and was also assessed in terms of Direction of Travel. The report highlighted performance measures which had not achieved the target for this period and measures that did not have a target but were moving in the wrong direction. The report also highlighted a number of measures that were showing exceptional performance against targets.

A Member requested a breakdown of Performance Indicator HN08, Number of Complaints of Anti-Social Behaviour received. The Group Manager agreed to ask Environmental Services to supply a breakdown of the data to Members.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note that all measures be monitored during the next quarter.

The Committee received the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note Forward Plan. 

The Chairman reported that there was no other business of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.