Agenda item

Before starting her report Councillor Megan Armstrong, the Homes and Communities Portfolio Holder provided a response to a question raised by Councillor Twiss at the Poverty Working Panel meeting.  In response to his question about whether the council had applied for government funding towards homeless projects she advised the council did have several capital projects and had purchased the Sailors Rest and a HMO in Exmouth and had ongoing plans for further purchases using our own funds.  The Council has received government funding for revenue support as previously reported.

The Portfolio Holder outlined her responsibilities and Members acknowledged the role of the Homes and Communities Portfolio Holder was a strategic role to look at shaping policies and strategies.  Members were reassured that the stock condition survey which was overdue would start in the New Year to look at and assess all the councils housing stock to find out what needs to be done to maintain fit for purpose homes for tenants which would also include a climate change action plan.

A lengthy questions and answers session followed which was first opened to non-committee members and included:

·         Councillor Millar sought clarification on the meaning of systems thinking and an explanation about what had changed from the former portfolio holder.  In response it was advised systems thinking meant an effective and efficient way of working. In terms of her role as portfolio holder was looking at all the different departments and getting to know the staff and said she did not want to compare herself to the previous portfolio holder.

·         In response to a question about the portfolio holder’s involvement with the review of the Housing Company she advised she sat on the TaFF and was working through what direction the Housing Company should take and how the council would best deliver on its affordable housing ambitions.

·         Councillor Skinner understood how hard the portfolio holder role was and emphasised the importance to understand that different people need different housing.  He emphasised the need to develop schemes for the right people to live in and how communities and families need to stay together to look after each other and suggested that she worked with the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee to understand what each community needs.

Questions from Councillors de Saram, Moulding, Allen and Key could not be answered at the meeting and would be provided at a later date.

The Leader of the Council applauded Councillor Armstrong for enduring the questions and addressed the issue of the endless supplementary questions that demanded factual information that Members could have asked Officer in advance of the meeting.   He advised that Scrutiny was not meant to trip up portfolio holders and ask members to show more respect.

The following questions and comments were raised by committee members:

·         The portfolio holders report was welcomed and was excellent.

·         The welcome reference to solar panels and a £450,000 secured grant.  Would like to see more grants like this. 

·         Clarification sought on what she thought were the main issues and challenges with the housing in East Devon.  It was advised the lack of social housing was a concern and that she did not agree with the right to buy scheme which takes away social housing from people who cannot afford to live anywhere else.

·         Concerns raised about the lack of accommodation available for victims of domestic abuse which had seen an increase this year.  In response John Golding, the Strategic Lead for Housing, Health and Environment advised the council had arrangements with other authorities to get victims of domestic abuse to a place of safety and if required out the area.  There was also a sanctuary scheme that provided additional security to tenants’ homes where domestic violence had occurred or feared.

·         Clarification sought on what was being done to help vulnerable tenants who struggled with technology and how were they being reached.  In response John Golding, the Strategic Lead for Housing, Health and Environment advised the council had provided digital awareness classes for sheltered housing tenants and Mobile Support Officers with the help of Home Safeguard and other teams had contacted every tenant in East Devon and offered support and signposted to community and voluntary groups if assistance was required.

·         Disappointed that councillors from the previous administration did not know why they had set up the Housing Company.

·         In terms of domestic abuse a suggestion was made to explore empty homes or second homes.

·         The need to scrutinise councillors in meetings to gain a positive outcome.

·         There are no council houses in Cranbrook.  In response Cllr Armstrong agreed there was a clear need for social housing in Cranbrook and whilst housing associations had significant stock in Cranbrook she  would look into this in the New Year with Councillor Ledger, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Ranger and seconded by Cllr Johns.

All councillor should receive training on how to ask constructive questions to address the matter in hand so the meeting can move on at a constructive and timely manner.

The Chairman requested that a vote take place on the motion.  The motion was put to committee and with 11 votes in favour and no abstentions.  The motion was carried.

RECOMMENDATION to Cabinet:

That all councillors should receive training on how to ask constructive questions to address the matter in hand so the meeting can move on at a constructive and timely manner.