Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Housing and Environment which presented the key performance measures and progress of key improvement work within the Housing and Environment Directorate.

In relation to the update provided on the Clashieknowe Intermediate Care Project, the Committee noted the request from the Convener for a visit to the complex to be organised during the Easter holidays or the summer recess.

In relation to the update provided on the Clean Up Aberdeen campaign, Councillor Finlayson requested whether the materials collected from the Clean Up operations across the City could be split up so as to be able to recycle some of the materials collected, hereupon the Head of Service advised that this would be looked at.

In relation to Rent Management, Councillor Delaney asked what the Service were doing to identify those tenants entitled to a refund following the court ruling, whereupon the Housing Manager advised that the Revenues and Benefits Team were identifying those tenants entitled to the refund and were working with the Service to ensure the refunds were provided.

In relation to Tenancy Management, Councillor Delaney asked what the Service were doing to improve the tenant visit figures, whereupon the Housing Manager advised that the process for setting the follow up appointment had been amended and that in some cases it was difficult to meet with tenants.

In relation to Void Management, Councillor Finlayson asked what the Service were doing to reduce the high number of voids, whereupon the Housing Manager advised that there had been a range of new easures introduced during February to improve the letting of properties.

In relation to Housing Allocations, Councillor Delaney sought clarification on the low percentage of new applications being processed, whereupon the Housing Manager advised that all applications were referred to the Prevention Team so that additional issues associated with applications could be identified or confirmed and that this delayed the process.

In relation to Repairs Management, Councillor Delaney sought clarification on the low number of properties having received a gas safety check within twelve months, whereupon the Head of Service advised that work was ongoing to ensure that all properties were visited and that a renewal gas safety certificate was issued.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         in relation to the update provided on the Clashieknowe Intermediate Care Project to request officers to organise a visit for members to the complex preferably during the Easter holiday period or the summer recess;

(ii)        in relation to the update provided on the Clean Up Aberdeen campaign and a request from Councillor Finlayson, to request officers to establish whether the materials collected from the Clean Up operations across the City could be split up so as to be able to recycle some of the materials collected;

(iii)       in relation to Rent Management and in response to a question from Councillor Delaney relating to what the Service were doing to identify those tenants entitled to a refund following the court ruling, to note that the Revenues and Benefits Team were identifying those tenants entitled to the refund and were working with the Service to ensure the refunds were provided;

(iv)       in relation to Tenancy Management and in response to a question from Councillor Delaney relating to what the Service were doing to improve the tenant visit figures, to note that the process for setting the follow up appointment had been amended and that in some cases it was difficult to meet with tenants;

(v)        in relation to Void Management and in response to a question from Councillor Finlayson relating to what the Service were doing to reduce the high number of voids, to note that there had been a range of new measures introduced during February to improve the letting of properties;

(vi)       in relation to Housing Allocations and in response to a question from Councillor Delaney relating to the low percentage of new applications being processed, to note that all applications are now referred to the Prevention Team so that additional issues associated with applications could be identified or confirmed and that this delays the process;

(vii)      in relation to Repairs Management and in response to a question from Councillor Delaney relating to the low number of properties having received a gas safety check within twelve months, to note that work was ongoing to ensure that all properties were visited and that a renewal gas safety certificate was issued;

(viii)     to otherwise note the content of the report.