Best Value Housing Review Group - Minutes 23 September 2010

At a MEETING of the HOUSING BEST VALUE REVIEW GROUP held at Dundee on 23rd September, 2010.

Present:-

Councillor Jimmy BLACK
Councillor Craig MELVILLE
Councillor Alan ROSS
Councillor Kevin KEENAN
Bailie Roderick A WALLACE
Ms Marjory STEWART, Director of Finance
Ms Elaine ZWIRLEIN, Director of Housing
Mr David SIMPSON, Housing Department
Mr Gordon BIRRELL, Housing Strategy Manager
Mr Gregory COLGAN, Housing
Mr John WOLSTENCROFT, Housing Department
Mr Ken LAING, Director of Contract Services
Ms Mary SMITH, DFTA
Ms Rena SMITH, DFTA
Mr Graeme LAWRENCE, Tenants East
Ms Kirsty WELLS, Tenants' Information Service
Ms Kim SMITH, UNITE
Mr Rory MALONE, UNISON

Apologies for Absence:-

Councillor Andy DAWSON
Bailie George REGAN
Councillor Fraser MACPHERSON
Mr David DORWARD
Mr Jim COCHRANE
Mr David JONES
Mr Tom KELBIE

Marjory STEWART, Director of Finance, in the Chair.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF 26TH AUGUST, 2010

The minute of meeting of 26th August, 2010 was submitted and approved.

II MATTERS ARISING

(i) SHELTER DISCUSSION FORUM

On a reference to Article II(i) it was noted that invitations to the discussion forum had been issued.

III IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE

There was submitted a report by the Director of Housing reporting on progress on the Improvement Plan agreed with the Scottish Housing Regulator.

The Quality and Performance Manager summarised the content of the report and the following items were discussed:-

• Housing Options Guide
• SHQS Option Appraisal
• SHQS Funding Risks
• Right to Repair Scheme
• Managing Occupancy Procedures (repossessions)
• Monitoring of Temporary Homeless
• Common Housing Register
• Asbestos Survey

The Best Value Review Group:-

(i) noted progress on implementation of the Improvement Plan up to August 2010;

(ii) agreed to refer the report for approval to the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee; and

(iii) agreed that, as part of the commitment to Public Performance Reporting, the report be added to the plans and performance section of the Council's web-site.

The Group further noted that verification to ensure appropriate levels of evidence and documentation in support of completed action plan improvements was underway; the interim report to be submitted to the Housing Regulator would cover all 149 points and present a clear, up-to-date, picture of the Improvement Plan.

IV BAKER TILLY REVIEW

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of 17th June, 2010, wherein the Housing Best Value Group noted that Baker Tilly had been engaged to review the status of the Improvement Plan in terms of actions completed and evidenced, there was submitted the Baker Tilly Review for information.

The Group noted that the review had provided a very useful independent measure of development of the Improvement Plan, highlighting areas of significant progress and identifying areas requiring further development; it was further noted that the Improvement Plan was subject to continued modification and significant further progress had been achieved in the time elapsed since the actual review.

V PREPARATION FOR SHR VISIT - 18TH AND 19TH OCTOBER, 2010

Gordon Birrell, Housing Strategy Manager, gave a brief presentation relative to the interim re-inspection visit by the Housing Regulator scheduled for 18th and 19th October, 2010.

The Best Value Group noted the preparations underway for the inspection and the timetable for the two day visit. The Group further noted the visit would culminate with verbal feedback of the Regulator's findings, followed by written submission of key findings.

VI AOCB

The Director of Finance thanked the Housing Management Team, and all those involved in the Improvement Plan, for their diligence and hard work over the past year.

VII DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 18th November, 2010 at 2.15 pm in Committee Room 1, 14 City Square, Dundee.

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