Agendas, reports and minutes

A hybrid meeting of the Housing and Property Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 17 November 2022 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

BUSINESS    
        
1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

The Committee is asked to note the good news as circulated.

4. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2022
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Neo-thaigheadais gu 30 Sultain 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/14/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:

i  approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account and non-Housing Revenue Account 2022/23 for the period to 30 September 2022; and
ii agree to suspending non-essential housing repairs in order to address the projected overspend within the current year.

5. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Monitoring Report to 30 September 2022
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais gu 30 Sultain 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/15/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme Monitoring Report.

6. Property & Facilities Management Services Revenue Monitoring Report to  30 September 2022
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach Sheirbheisean Rianachd Cuid-seilbh & Ghoireasan gu 30 Sultain 2022
    
There is circulated Report No HP/16/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to note:- 

i.   that based on the best available information to date, a service budget gap of £1.546m to the end of 2022/23 is presently forecast. This is an increasing budget gap since the Q1 monitoring report where a budget gap of £1.261m was being projected;
ii.  that the budget gap may change positively or negatively depending on the application of expenditure and recruitment controls, filling fee earning posts in an extremely challenging job market, adjusting services to meet previously agreed budget savings; in-year income recovery, identifying new income and procurement opportunities;
iii. the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery; and
iv.  that further adjustments will be made in future quarterly reporting to reflect the updated apportionment of costs across the new Service structure.

7. Property Capital Monitoring Statement and Progress Update
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Calpa Seilbhe agus Cunntas às Ùr air Adhartas

There is circulated Report No HP/17/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the position for the second quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, and the estimated year-end position;
ii.  note the progress made with the projects referred to in this report;
iii. agree to homologate the decision taken to retain and convert the modular classroom unit at Bun-Sgoil Shlèite; and
iv.  note the current situation at Thurso High and that a further verbal update will be provided at the Committee meeting.

8. Housing Performance Report 
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No HP/18/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2021 – 30 September 2022.

9. Review of Rent Arrears Management Policy
Ath-sgrùdadh air Poileasaidh Fiachan Màil 

There is circulated Report No HP/19/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to note the ongoing support provided by the Housing Service to tenants struggling to pay their rent during the “cost of living” crisis.

10. Tenant Participation and Engagement Update
Ath-sgrùdadh air Com-pàirteachas is Gnìomhan Ceangail Luchd-màil

There is circulated Report No HP/20/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the ongoing progress in improving tenant participation in Highland.

11. Homelessness and Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chion-dachaigh: Plana Eadar-ghluasaid Luath gu Taigh Eile

There is circulated Report No HP/21/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:

i.   note progress on the Council’s Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan and actions undertaken to mitigate homelessness in Highland; 
ii.  approve the Annual Update of the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan attached as Appendix 1 to the report for submission to the Scottish Government; and
iii. agree amendments to the Homelessness Appeals Process as detailed in the report.     PP.43-51