Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is to inform members of the spending proposed for the next financial year for revenue and capital funded maintenance and improvement programmes for the City Councils retained housing stock together with Housing IT Business Software, and to seek approval to incur expenditure in respect of the capital schemes and rolling programmes and to show how the budgets have been allocated on an area office basis.

RECOMMENDED

(1)       That the area programmes and allocation of finance for the funding of the Revenue Budgets for repairs and maintenance of dwellings be noted.

(2)       That the capital budgets listed in Appendix B and Appendix C commencing in 2020/2021 be approved and the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood  and Building Services be authorised under Financial Rules, Section B14 to proceed with schemes within the sums approved.

(3)       That the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer financial appraisal be approved for the capital programme - global provision.

The Cabinet Member for Housing agreed:

(1)       That the area programmes and allocation of finance for the funding of the Revenue Budgets for repairs and maintenance of dwellings be noted.

(2)       That the capital budgets listed in Appendix B and Appendix C commencing in 2020/2021 be approved and the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood  and Building Services be authorised under Financial Rules, Section B14 to proceed with schemes within the sums approved.

(3)       That the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer's financial appraisal be approved for the capital programme - global provision.

Meredydd Hughes, Assistant Director Buildings, presented the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Buildings' annual report on the detailed spending plans for each housing area, and was accompanied by Simon Fairbrother, IT Business Manager.

Madha Abrams of the Residents' Consortium was grateful for the chance for the residents to go through the plans in detail each year.  Maria Cole asked for more explanation of the annual inclusion of asbestos removal. Steve Groves, Head of Building Maintenance, explained that most of the council's housing stock dated back to 1950s and 1960s so included some asbestos, which was safe in situ but is removed as part of other work undertaken, so this was an on-going project.  Maria Cole also asked about the programming of retrofit sprinklers; it was reported that Ladywood House and Handsworth House had been identified as highest priority as the highest 2 council blocks.  Residents there would be informed of the progress with tenders about to be sought.

Councillor Corkery asked about the window replacement works in West Leigh; Steve Groves explained these were part of wider works there, including some tile replacement and work on roofs and he would provide Cllr Corkery with further information. With regard to the heating upgrade at Edgbaston House and Tipton House, Meredydd Hughes reported that feasibility studies where taking place for the most appropriate heating (either electric or district heating) and more would be known in the summer.  Councillor Corkery also noted much needed investment in the Courts Estate in Landport and was also concerned about the need to provide a decent standard of housing in the Australia Blocks.  Councillor Sanders regretted that the central government's policy had meant £12m less to spend on investing in improvements.

Councillor Payter-Harris asked for more information on the ERP ratings of the new heating installations (page 44) and queried the installation of new gas boilers.  Meredydd Hughes responded that the previous boilers dated back to 1990s and needed to be replaced.  Cllr Payter-Harris also commented on the asbestos removal budget provision (which was typical of annual expenditure) and he welcomed the lift refurbishment at The Ridings, Hilsea.

Councillor Sanders, as Cabinet Member for Housing, asked about the energy efficiency schemes included in the report; this included installation of solar pv and solar battery storage, combined heating and power, and more energy efficient engines were being installed on the Charles Dickens estate (including Pickwick House). Meredydd Hughes reported that he also worked closely with colleagues in the Green & Clean Team, with landscaped areas being improved.

Councillor Sanders was pleased to approve the report and welcomed the work with the Fire Service on the installation of sprinklers.  He commended the report which showed that energy efficiency was a key priority in the council's response to the climate emergency.

DECISIONS - The Cabinet Member for Housing agreed:

(1)       That the area programmes and allocation of finance for the funding of the Revenue Budgets for repairs and maintenance of dwellings be noted.

(2)       That the capital budgets listed in Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10