Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor that advised that following consideration by Cabinet at its meeting on 6 November 2018 the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion ‘Response Maintenance and Voids Contract Delivery Model’ had been referred to this Committee for consideration with a request that any agreed comments be referred to the next meeting of Cabinet. 

The Director of Housing and Inclusion provided an overview, clarification on the issues raised and responded to questions.

RESOLVED              That the report be noted.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor J Forshaw)

Councillor Forshaw introduced the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion which advised of the findings of a review of the response maintenance and voids contract delivery model.   She sought approval to implement interim arrangements for the response maintenance service pending proposed new contractual arrangements to commence in 2020.

Minute no. 13 of the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) meeting held on 31 October 2018 was circulated at the meeting.

A motion from Councillor Forshaw was circulated at the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the minute of the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group), the motion from Councillor Forshaw and the details as set out in the report before it and accepted the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED  A.      That the Council retain an outsourced delivery model for the response maintenance and voids contract, but that the contract scope is widened to include gas servicing / breakdown and cyclical maintenance programmes.

                        B.      That the pricing model is based upon price per property, price per void, price per gas and price per architype, with a limited range of exclusions to this price, and a schedule of rates for communal areas and leaseholder repairs and any exclusions.

                        C.     That the Director of Housing and Inclusion be authorised to seek tenders and enter into a contract for responsive maintenance and voids on the basis set out at paragraph 5.2 of the report.

                        D.     That pending the entering into of the contract under recommendation C. above the Director of Housing and Inclusion in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services be authorised to put in place an interim arrangement from 1 April 2019 to ensure a continued level of service.

                        E.      That any financial implications resulting from items D. above be addressed as part of the 2019/20 budget setting process.

                        F.      That a further report on the contract be prepared for Cabinet’s review at year 3 (2022-23) in order to consider the viability of bringing the service in house.

                        G.     That this item be referred to the next meeting of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held on 22 November 2018.