Agenda Item No
The Vale of Glamorgan Council
Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection): 26th
May 2010
Report of the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing
Service
Housing Service – Welsh Housing Quality Standard (Housing
Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy) - Action Plan (V12)
Purpose of the Report
1.
To inform Members of the updated Action Plan to achieve the Welsh
Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) and maintain it, which is essential
for a successful Housing Landlord.
Recommendation
1.
THAT the report be noted.
Reason for the Recommendation
1.
To inform Members of the updated Action Plan for the Council to
achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and maintain it.
Background
2.
The updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Action Plan is
attached at Appendix
A and is based on the developing Housing Asset Management
Strategy.
3.
The WHQS Action Plan identifies the improvements outputs,
resources, priority and progress required and is colour coded in
the same manner as traffic lights with green, amber and red. The
Action Plan is the main WHQS project monitoring document and is
largely self explanatory.
4.
Council agreed on the 14th October 2009 to ballot
tenants on there wishes regarding the transfer of the housing
stock.
5.
A Housing Revenue Account Business Plan will be maintained based on
the default position of stock retention
Relevant Issues and Options
6.
Substantial change is required to deliver a planned approach within
the context of a sound Housing Asset Management strategy and this
change is reflected in the WHQS Action Plan.
7.
Sound housing asset management has been problematic in the past
with inadequate Investment funding and without proper knowledge of
the housing stock.
8.
The Housing Service, Building Service and Property Services all
play a role in housing asset management but in the past this has
been undertaken without a comprehensive asset management
approach.
9.
This has resulted in a housing maintenance service which is
reactive and the developing Housing Asset Management Strategy
starting from a fairly low position.
10. A more planned
approach is being developed leading up to the tenant ballot when
further progress will be made when the outcome of the Ballot is
known.
11. A comprehensive
Housing Asset Management Strategy takes two to three years to fully
develop from inception and the strategy can only be completed when
retention or transfer is decided.
12. Planning for the
procurement of Partnering Contractors to undertake Planned
Investment is being progressed so that either option can be
implemented at the earliest possible opportunity.
13. Many of the
timescales on the Action Plan have been updated to reflect the
awaited outcome of the tenant ballot.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
14. All housing
Investment must be within the financial constraints of the Housing
Revenue Account Business Plan.
Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)
15. None.
Crime and Disorder Implications
16. Achieving the Welsh
Housing quality standard will help address Crime and disorder
issues and components will be designed to meet Secure by Design
standards wherever practical.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language
issues)
17. WHQS and the Asset
Management Strategy will incorporate improvements to equal
opportunities.
Corporate/Service Objectives
18. Satisfying WHQS will
improve the housing stock therefore contributing to the health,
wellbeing and safety of tenants and other residents.
Policy Framework and Budget
19. This report is to
inform Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection).
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
20. This report is for
the consideration of Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public
Protection).
Relevant Scrutiny Committee
21. Scrutiny Committee
(Housing and Public Protection).
Background Papers
None.
Contact Officer
Rob Lucas - WHQS Project Manager
Officers Consulted
Tony Jaques - Head of Housing
Mike Ingram - OM Housing
Jane Wade - OM Property Services
Steven Morris - Head of Building and Vehicle
Services
Responsible Officer:
Peter Evans - Director of Legal, Public
Protection and Housing Service