Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Big plans, bright future

Environment Select Committee Minutes

Date:
Monday, 9th September, 2013
Time:
3.30 P.M.
Place:
Meeting Room, Eden House, Billingham
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Nigel Cooke(Chairman), Cllr David Wilburn(Vice-Chairman), Cllr Derrick Brown, Cllr Ray McCall, Cllr Mrs Maureen Rigg, Cllr Mick Womphrey, Cllr Bill Woodhead.
Officers:
Jane Edmends(DNS), Kay Glew, Dave Pickard, Nik Turner(Vela Group), Chris Joynes(Fabrick), Chris Smith(Erimus Housing), Graham Birtle and Kirsty Wannop(LDS)
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Steve Walmsley
Item Description Decision
Public
ENV
16/13		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
ENV
17/13		 MINUTES FOR SIGNATURE-3RD JUNE 2013
 The minutes of the meeting held on 3rd June 2013 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
ENV
18/13		 DRAFT MINUTES-15TH JULY 2013
Preamble
AGREED the minutes be approved.
ENV
19/13		 REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE OF HOUSING PROVIDERS
Preamble
AGREED that the information be noted.
ENV
20/13		 WORK PROGRAMME
Preamble
 
ENV
21/13		 CHAIR'S UPDATE
Preamble
 
2.00pm/3.00pm

Preamble

ItemPreamble
ENV
16/13		Cllr Ray McCall declared a personal non prejudicial interest in the item titled Review of the Performance of Housing Providers and he was a Vela tenant.
ENV
18/13		Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2013.
ENV
19/13		Members considered evidence provided from Vela Group and Erimus Housing.

Dave Pickard provided the Committee with information on Vela Group which included the following:-
- Vela Group was continuing with the potential merger with Fabrick. Tristar would remain an independent housing provider if this was to go ahead.
- Offer promises which Vela Group made were not an issue and didn't see a problem in meeting them.
- Welfare Reforms were having a financial impact of around £500k but again this did not affect appear to offer promises.
- Vela Group had a strong efficiency agenda and was anticipating saving of 3% each year for the next 3 years.

Chris Smith provided the Committee with information on Erimus Housing which included the following:-
- In 2006 a small scale transfer took place of 6 sheltered housing schemes. 3 of the schemes were refurbished which was done very quickly after the transfer. The other 3 schemes took longers as they needed to be demolished and redeveloped. 2 of the 3 schemes had now been demolished and redeveloped but there was 1 site which caused issues and work was being done on this.

Members highlighted concerns following their earlier visit to Wrensfield Court where tenants could use small plots for growing vegetables and/or plants but showed little motivation in doing so.

It was highlighted that in some areas there had been problem neighbours and this needed to be addressed during the allocation process of tenants. Dave Pickard from Vela Group informed Members that they work quickly to deal with problem tenants.

The Committee thanked officers for the site visits which had taken place.
ENV
20/13		The work programme for the Committee was noted.
ENV
21/13		The Chair updated Members that the Fuel Poverty Partnership would have its first meeting at the end of September 2013.

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