Housing and Social Work Committee Minute

Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Housing and Social Work Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 9 November 2011 at 10.30 a.m.

Present

Mrs M C Davidson, Mr A Christie, Ms L Munro, Lady M Thurso, Mr D Mackay, Mr D Flear, Mr D Chisholm, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr H Fraser, Mr I Renwick, Miss J Campbell, Mr P Corbett, Mrs E McAllister, Mr A S Park, Mrs L MacDonald, Ms J Douglas, Mr D Fallows, Mr D Cameron, Mr B Gormley, Mr B J Murphy

Non-Members also present:

Mr W Fernie, Mr S Black, Mr D Hendry, Mr D Kerr, Mr A Graham, Dr D Alston, Mr G Farlow, Mrs D Mackay, Mr J Laing

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Alexander, Director of Social Work
Mr S Barron, Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property
Mr D Yule, Director of Finance
Mr B Robertson, Acting Head of Operations (Community Care), Social Work Service
Ms F Palin, Head of Operations (CJS and Central Services), Social Work Service
Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing, Housing and Property Service
Mr A Maguire, Head of Housing Development & Estates, Housing & Property Service
Mr I Belford, Maintenance Manager, Housing and Property Service
Mr G McCaig, Head of Social Work Business Support, Social Work Service
Mr L Hannah, Principal Housing Officer (Homeless Prevention), Housing and Property Service
Ms T Urry, Housing and Property Manager South, Housing and Property Service
Mrs R Moir, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr A MacInnes, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Service

Mrs M C Davidson in the Chair

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.
All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee

Preliminaries

The Chair welcomed Mr Derek Yule, Director of Finance, to his first meeting of the Committee.

Argus Care Homes – it was NOTED that the Director of Social Work would issue a briefing note to Local Members on the status of Highland residents within the Argus Care Home in Oban as the Argus Care Group had recently gone into Administration.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr J Rosie, Mrs G Ross, Mr G Marsden and Dr M Foxley.

2. Declarations of Interest

Item 4iii - Mrs E McAllister (Non Financial)
Item 7 – Mr P Corbett (Financial)
Items 8, 9 and 11 –Mr D Kerr and Mr G Farlow (Financial)
Items 12, 13 & 15 – Mr B Murphy (Financial)
Item 18 – Mr A Christie (Non Financial).

3. Capital Reports

i. Housing Revenue Account: Capital Programme Monitoring to 30 September 2011

There had been circulated Report No HSW-100-11 (38kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing an update on the position regarding the HRA Capital Programme to 30 September 2011.

The Committee NOTED the updated position regarding expenditure to date and the estimated full spend outturn on the HRA Capital Programme for 2011/12.

ii. Non Housing Revenue Account 2010/11: Capital and Private Sector Programme Monitoring – Monitoring to 30 September 2011

There had been circulated Report No HSW-101-11 (42kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing an update on activity within the 2011/2012 Non HRA Capital and Private Sector Housing Grant programmes to 30 September 2011.

In response to questions, the Head of Housing advised that, in terms of Gypsy/Traveller sites, it was intended to undertake work to upgrade electrical installations on some sites and to undertake a search for other suitable sites. It was also advised that an accommodation needs assessment for Gypsy/Travellers had been carried out and currently options for short stay accommodation were being assessed. However, there was difficulty in identifying suitable sites in the right locations and a report on this would be submitted to a future meeting.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED:

i. progress within the Programme as at the end of September, 2011; and

ii. the update given in relation to the Gypsy/Traveller sites improvements/provision and in particular that a report would be submitted to a future meeting on proposals for short stay accommodation for Gypsies/Travellers.

iii. Social Work Capital Programme

There had been circulated Report No HSW-102-11 (83kb pdf) dated 6 September 2011 by the Director of Social Work updating Members on progress to date with the Social Work Capital Programme and providing:-

a monitoring report on expenditure
an update on a number of individual projects
information about the need for a new roof at An Acarsaid
an update on work being undertaken in relation to a number of fire safety and other health and safety capital works.

During discussion, undertakings were given that a detailed explanation for the delay in seeking to obtain listed building consent for Phase 1 works at Ach an Eas and the estimated start date for the works would be provided for Councillor J Campbell and also that information on original project costs and extra costs for works at Dalneigh Family Resource Centre, Inverness and Inverness Castle North Tower would be sent to Councillor D Kerr.

The Committee NOTED:

i. the terms of the report as circulated and the budgetary position; and

ii. that Local Members would be kept informed of developments at Grant House.

4. Revenue Reports

i. Housing Revenue Account: Revenue Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2011

There had been circulated Report No HSW-103-11 (23kb pdf) dated 5 September 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property commenting on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the Housing Revenue Account for the period to 31 September 2011.

In response to a query, the Head of Housing confirmed that a review of all Council owned garage sites was being carried out with a view to proposals on disposals and rationalisation of garages being submitted to a future meeting.

The Committee NOTED the Housing Revenue Account Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2011.

ii. Non Housing Revenue Account: Revenue Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2011

There had been circulated Report No HSW-104-11 (26kb pdf) dated 5 September 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property commenting on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the Non Housing Revenue Account to 31 September 2011.

The Committee NOTED the Non Housing Revenue Account Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2011.

iii. Building Maintenance: Financial Monitoring to 30 July 2011

Declaration of Interest - Mrs E McAllister declared a non-financial interest in this item as she had a relative who worked for Fujitsu but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that the interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No HSW-105-11 (32kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property detailing the financial position for Building Maintenance for the period 1 April to 30 September 2011 and providing information on other relevant issues.

In particular, Members were given an update in relation to delays to the Mobile Working project due to technical issues. It was advised that Fujitsu had made a strong commitment to put in place additional technical resources to resolve the data network issue with assurances that these resources would remain in place until a satisfactory resolution to the technical issues was found.

During discussion, Members stressed the need for robust contract management and requested that an Action Plan be produced in order to ensure that this project was delivered as quickly as possible as it would result in improved customer service and repairs by appointment and would produce significant financial savings.

The Committee NOTED the financial position to 30 September 2011, together with other relevant information as detailed in the report and AGREED that a revised Action Plan be produced and circulated to all Members to ensure that the Mobile Working project was implemented as soon as possible.

iv. Social Work Service

There had been circulated Report No HSW-106-11 (46kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Director of Social Work providing in Appendix 1 the revenue monitoring position of the Social Work Service for the first six months of the 2011/12 financial year to 30 September 2011.

The Social Work Service continued to face significant budget pressures resulting in an extremely challenging situation. The projected overspend after the first six months of the year indicated an increase of £0.190m at £1,622,000. It was concerning that there had been an increase in the over spend and it continued to be the objective of the Social Work Service to address this over the course of the financial year.

The Committee NOTED the revenue monitoring position after the first six months of financial year 2011/12 and endorsed the actions being taken by the Social Work Service to recover the overspend position.

5. Land and Property

There had been circulated Report No HSW-107-11 (43kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing details of the result of the bid for funding from the Scottish Government’s Innovation and Investment Fund. In addition, the report provided an update on Council and Housing Associations projects that had been, or were being, progressed through the Landbank Fund. The proposals contained within the report would contribute to the Council’s target of providing 2,100 additional affordable homes between 2007 and 2012.

In particular, reference was made to the need to ensure that there was sufficient housing provision for workers involved in the renewable technology industry which should see an upturn in activity in future years. It was noted that the potential for joint funding of housing projects with renewable energy companies would be explored.

The Committee NOTED:-

i. the results of bids made by the Council and partner organisations under the
Scottish Government’s Innovation and Investment Fund;
ii. the status of Council and Housing Associations projects which had been, or
were being, progressed through the Landbank Fund;
iii.that a report would be presented to a future meeting detailing transactions
between the Council and partner housing associations relating to Conon
Bridge, Dornie, Kessock Court and St Valery Avenue developments; and
iv.that the potential for joint funding of housing projects with renewable
energy companies would be explored.

6. Social Care in Sutherland

There had been circulated Report No HSW-108-11 (57kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Director of Social Work updating Members on the planning for the delivery of social care in Sutherland, and seeking support for increased provision by community-based groups.

During discussion, the importance of partnership working and of engagement with local communities and the third sector was emphasised and the involvement of local Members in ongoing discussions welcomed. It was acknowledged that some misunderstandings had arisen in relation to the proposed new arrangements which it would be helpful to have clarified as matters moved forward.

Following discussion, the Committee NOTED the issues raised in the report and that consideration would be given to holding a Members’ Briefing on the development of the Integration Partnership with NHS Highland prior to formal reporting on the Commissioning proposals to the December meeting of the Council.

The Committee AGREED to support the work going forward on planning for increased social care provision in Sutherland by community-based groups and the community operation of a well-being hub in Tongue and also the efforts to negotiate with all relevant groups.

7. Housing Support Update

Declaration of Interest - Mr P Corbett declared a financial interest in this item as a Support Worker at Cantraybridge College and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

There had been circulated Joint Report No HSW-109-11 (52kb pdf) dated 2 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property and the Director of Social Work providing Members with an update regarding the provision of Housing Support Services in terms of service volumes and expenditure.

During discussion, an undertaking was given that the Head of Housing would look at the issue of delays in re-housing those in women’s refuges.

The Committee NOTED:

i. the details provided on the provision of Housing Support as outlined in this report;

ii. the work taking place to re-commission housing support services in relation to homelessness; and

iii. that the Head of Housing would circulate to all Members a Briefing Note on Re-commissioning of Housing Support services in relation to homelessness.

The Committee AGREED to transfer the sum of £1,729,465 from the Social Work budget to Housing and Property Services as per Paragraph 2.4 of the report.

8. Response to Scottish Government Consultation on Scottish Social Housing Charter

Declarations of Interest - Mr D Kerr and Mr G Farlow declared financial interests in this item as Council house tenants but, in terms of the general exclusion granted by the Standards Commission, remained to participate in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No HSW-110-11 (75kb pdf) dated 31 October 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property summarising the draft Scottish Social Housing Charter and asking the Committee to approve the Council’s response to the Scottish Government consultation.

The fundamental aim of the proposed Charter was to encourage all social landlords to deliver an efficient, customer focused housing service and to maximise the involvement of housing service customers. The Charter intended to help reduce programmed inspection and regulation by providing a framework for submission of annual self assessment reports.

Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the response attached as Appendix 1 to the report for submission to the Scottish Government.

9. Response to Consultation on the Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland

There had been circulated Report No HSW-111-11 (86kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing background information on changes to the status of the Scottish Housing Regulator and details of consultation on future regulatory arrangements. A draft response to the consultation paper was circulated and the Committee was asked to approve this for submission.

Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the draft response to the consultation paper on the regulation of social housing contained in Appendix 1 to the report for submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator.

10. Report of SCISWIS Inspection

There had been circulated Report No HSW-112-11 (113kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Director of Social Work updating Members on the outcome of the Scrutiny Inspection of the Social Work Service, and presenting an action plan for approval.

Members expressed their appreciation to staff in the Social Work Service for the work they were doing at a time of considerable change.

Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the action plan as detailed in the report and NOTED that a report would be brought to the Committee on additional support for young people in transition from children’s to adult services.

11. Highland’s Affordable Warmth Strategy Progress Report

There had been circulated Report No HSW-113-11 (51kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing an update on progress with the affordable warmth elements of Highland’s Housing Strategy and recommending priority actions for the following year.

During discussion, an undertaking was given that the Head of Housing would update Cllr E McAllister in relation to a particular case involving use of a private sector landlord. There was also a request that the Council lobby the Government to recommend that energy suppliers be required to offer the best tariff to customers.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the progress with the ‘affordable warmth’ actions being undertaken to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty; APPROVED the action plan as detailed in the report; and AGREED that the Council should lobby the Government to require energy supply companies to supply their customers, in particular the vulnerable and elderly, with the best tariff for their circumstances.

At this point, the Committee adjourned for lunch and the meeting resumed again at 1.30p.m.

12. Homelessness Policy Review

Declaration of Interest - Mr B J Murphy declared a financial interest in this item as a provider of homeless accommodation and left the Chamber for the duration of the item.

There had been circulated Report No HSW-114-11 (40kb pdf) dated 31 October 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property updating Members on progress in implementing changes to the Council’s Homelessness Policy, which had been approved in March 2011. The report provided feedback on the Homelessness Prevention Team and recommended further changes to policy in relation to the “2012 target” on homelessness.

The Committee was also given a presentation by the Principal Housing Officer (Homeless Prevention) on the work of the Council’s Homeless Prevention Team, partnership working, the performance of the team so far and future developments.

The Committee NOTED:

i. the early indications of success with the Homeless Prevention Team and that
the policy changes introduced in March 2011 appeared to be achieving the
outcomes intended; and
ii. that monitoring information on homelessness prevention would be
incorporated into future Quarterly Performance Reports to the Committee.

The Committee AGREED that, from January 2012, the Council should assess any applicant with any indicator of vulnerability, including single, low level needs, as being in priority need.

13. Options for Huntly House

Declaration of Interest - Mr B J Murphy declared a financial interest in this item as a provider of homeless accommodation and left the Chamber for the duration of the item.

There had been circulated Report No HSW-115-11 (49kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property which advised of recent changes to homelessness policy and legislation and the effect of this on Homeless Day Services that the Council operated at Chapel Street, Inverness. There was a need to review whether the current services provided by housing staff at the day centre were still relevant and necessary. In this respect, Members welcomed the review and it was suggested that a Members’ Workshop should be arranged to review Homeless Day Services provided by the Council. There was also a request that an invitation to the Workshop be extended to the Chief Executive of the Aberdeen Foyer project.

The report also detailed options available for the future of Huntly House, Inverness, which had formerly been managed by the Salvation Army for the provision of homeless services. Huntly House and adjacent properties had been marketed since 2009 with little or no interest. It was proposed that the site be withdrawn from the market and retained for new Council housing, including some specifically designed for young people who would be affected by new Welfare Reform legislation.

Following consideration, the Committee AGREED:

i. to withdraw Huntly House, 3, 3a and 4 Huntly Street, Inverness from being
marketed for sale;
ii. to include the properties/sites for consideration as part of the next round of
the Council House Build Programme; and
iii. that a Members’ Workshop be held on the current review of Homeless Day
Services, with particular reference to the future of the Homeless Day Centre
in Inverness and the scope for further development of partnership working.

14. Organisation of Community Payback Scheme

There had been circulated Report No HSW-116-11 (50kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Director of Social Work outlining the proposed re-structure of key aspects of the Community Service for offenders scheme delivered by Criminal Justice Social Work Services. The report was set in the context of the introduction of the Community Payback Order from 1 February 2011.

Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the proposals for deleting the posts of Community Service Officers and Community Service Projects Officers and establishing a new post of Unpaid Work Manager as detailed in the report.

15. Quarterly Performance Report

i. Housing and Property Service

Declaration of Interest - Mr B J Murphy declared a financial interest in this item as a provider of homeless accommodation and left the Chamber for the duration of the item.

There had been circulated Report No HSW-117-11 (57kb pdf) dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property providing information on how the Housing and Property Service had performed in relation to Statutory Performance Indicators during the second quarter of 2011/2012.

Members were advised that the Council was continuing to achieve better collection rates for former tenant debt. The temporary post of Housing Debt Officer had been established in December 2009 to improve the management of HRA former tenant debt. To date this approach had resulted in a 48% improvement in debt written-off or collected, with the proportion of debt actually collected increased by 13.8%. Former tenant debt had reduced by 57%. This post was self funded and the Committee were asked to agree to establishment of the post on a permanent basis, subject to Resources Committee approval.

The Committee NOTED the information provided on performance in quarter 2, covering 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011 and AGREED to the establishment of the post of Housing Debt Officer on a permanent basis, subject to the approval of the Resources Committee.

ii. Social Work Service

There had been circulated Report No HSW-118-11 (559kb pdf)dated 1 November 2011 by the Director of Social Work providing an update on key Social Work Services performance information for the period 1 July to 30 September 2011.

The Committee AGREED the update provided as detailed in the report.

16. Minutes

The Committee NOTED or APPROVED as appropriate Minutes of the:-

i. Community Health Partnerships (CHP):-

a. North Highland CHP held on 16 August 2011 (136kb pdf);
b. Mid Highland CHP held on 19 August 2011 (152kb pdf); and
c. South East Highland CHP held on 18 August 2011 (92kb pdf);

ii. Raigmore Governance Committee held on 15 August 2011 (89kb pdf);

iii. Highland Council/NHS Highland Leadership and Performance Group held on 16 August 2011 (72kb pdf);

iv. Violence Against Women Strategy Group held on 31 August 2011 (34kb pdf);

v. Highland Adult Support and Protection Committee held on 19 August 2011 (48kb pdf); and

vi. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership held on 24 August 2011 (47kb pdf)

17. Exclusion of the Public

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

18. Proposed House Purchase

Declaration of Interest - Mr A Christie declared a non-financial interest in this item as Manager of the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

There had been circulated to Members only Report No HSW/119/11 dated 1 November 2011 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property in regard to a proposed house purchase in Inverness.

Following consideration, the Committee AGREED the recommendations as detailed in the report.

The meeting ended at 2.30 p.m.