Agenda, decisions and minutes

These had been received from Councillors David Horne and David Fuller.

There were no declarations of members' interests.

The purpose of the attached report by the Head of Housing and Property Services  is to:

·         To seek approval to implement updated and new repairs and maintenance policies (appendix A) that defines the rules for managing the repairs and maintenance service.

·         To seek approval to implement the scope of service (appendix B) which outlines the purpose, value steps and principles of work for the repairs and maintenance service.

·         To seek approval to adopt the revised and updated asset management strategy 2014 (appendix C) that provides a framework for managing the housing stock.

·         If approved a plan will be prepared to implement the repairs and maintenance policies, scope of service and asset management plan 2014.

RECOMMENDED that approval is given to adopt the repairs and maintenance policies, scope of service and asset management strategy 2014.

Approval was given to adopt the repairs and maintenance policies, scope of service and asset management strategy 2014.

(Take in report by the Head of Housing & Property Services)

Steve Groves, Repairs & Maintenance Manager, presented the report which sought approval of the updated documents, which would then be used for staff induction as well as to help inform residents and leaseholders of the service that they should expect to receive.  The residents had been consulted via the CLG and the feedback had been reflected, with no substantial changes resulting.  The policies would be publicised via Housetalk and the council's website.  Maria Cole and Adrian Blackwood, residents' representatives at the meeting, appreciated being part of the consultation process.

Councillor Wemyss, as Cabinet Member for Housing, wished to applaud the Housing Service for these clear improvements to services for residents which represented more convenient and efficient visits to their properties.  This service was admired by other local authorities, and he thanked officers for this accomplishment.

DECISION: Approval was given to adopt the repairs and maintenance policies, scope of service and asset management strategy 2014.

The attached information report by the Head of Corporate Assets, Business

and Standards is to provide an update on the main trends within the city’s

housing market, drawing upon the Strategic Housing Market Assessment

(SHMA) which was commissioned by the Partnership for Urban South

Hampshire (PUSH).  The report was compiled by consultants using data from

2013 and approved by PUSH early in 2014.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing notes the present situation and trends in the Portsmouth Housing Market.

The Cabinet Member for Housing noted the present situation and trends in the Portsmouth Housing Market. 

(N.B. as this is an information item this is not subject to call-in.)

(Take in report by the Head of Corporate Assets, Business and Standards)

Alan Cufley presented this report which gave the regional context to Portsmouth's housing market, setting out statistical information and referencing the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) report commissioned by PUSH.

Whilst this was an information report, Councillor Wemyss as Cabinet Member for Housing  would wish to pass his observations on the report and SHMA document to Councillor Stubbs as Cabinet Member for PRED so that when he gave consideration to any future report on housing delivery numbers, the PRED portfolio holder would be aware of these references.  He felt that the SHMA showed that Portsmouth has a disproportionate number of smaller houses and a lack of availability of detached properties and whilst the average house prices were low for the region this was not the case for the detached properties so the demand for these and semi-detached properties was not being met and there were economic implications for this in attracting business proprietors to the city. 

Some of his concerns over housing mix could be addressed by improving transport infrastructure.  With only 3 roads into and out of Portsea Island the provision of a road tunnel (paid for by a toll) connecting Portsmouth and Gosport could, in part, address the problem.  The relatively young population indicated in the report would also have implications on the pressure for school places and health services in the future.

During discussion of the possible overcrowding of properties by families it was also noted that the current licensing regime for Houses in Multiple Occupation was improving standards for those in these shared properties.

The Cabinet Member for Housing noted the present situation and trends in the Portsmouth Housing Market. 

(As this is an information item this is was not subject to call-in.)