Agenda and minutes

This is where Councillors who are attending as substitutes will say for whom they are attending.

Apologies were received from Councillor Richard Murgatroyd, Councillor John Taylor and Mr Andrew Bird (Co-optee).

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 July 2020

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

All items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.

No deputations or petitions were received.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Members of the Public may submit written questions to the Panel. Any questions should be emailed to executive.governance.gov.uk no later than 2pm on 19 August 2020.

No questions were asked under this item.

To provide Panel members with information on the provision of services and support to Council tenants in relation to the payment of housing rent and to homeless households and rough sleepers during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Contact: Sarah Clayton, Head of Housing Management, KNH

    Helen Geldart, Head of Housing Services, KC

A report was submitted providing Panel members with information on the provision of services and support to Council tenants in relation to the payment of housing rent and to homeless households and rough sleepers during the Covid 19 pandemic.

The financial and employment situation of many council tenants has been adversely

affected by Covid-19; employers have moved staff onto the furlough scheme creating a reduction in income, many others are working reduced hours, and some have lost their jobs. It was reported that Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing’s (KNH), Income Management Team had responded to this by taking a range of pro-active steps to support tenants faced with financial hardship. This support is balanced with the need to collect rent payments and protect the tenant from falling into further debt.

With regard to arrears it was explained that all council tenants with an arrears balance are identified by an arrears escalation process and subsequently contacted by an income officer. Supportive discussions are held, and realistic re-payment plans agreed with customers offered budgeting advice and assisted with benefit claims.

Sarah Clayton gave a presentation to the Panel setting out details of the specific support measures for tenants to pay rent during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Following the presentation, questions and comments were invited and the following issues were raised:

• In response to the number of arears cases that are on Universal Credit, it was reported that 54% were currently in receipt of Universal Credit.

• With regard to support to tenants, it was explained that work had been undertaken with the Courts to develop a protocol which ensured maximum support with tenants in difficulty as a result of Covid.

• In response to a question concerning potential increased arrears as a result of the end of the furlough scheme, it was acknowledged that tenants would be impacted and support measures were in place
• Members highlighted the importance of ensuring effective communication to ensure tenants are fully aware of the support available and are encouraged to engage at an early stage to access services
• In response to questions around support for private sector tenants and owner occupiers, it was explained that this was available through partner organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and Fusion Housing
• The Chair raised the issue of the 2.7% rent increase which came into effect on 1^st April and enquired if any consideration had been given to postponing the increase as a result of Covid.

Helen Geldart gave a presentation setting out details in respect of homeless households  and rough sleepers. It was reported that in response to the national Covid 19 lockdown and government guidance that only essential house moves should take place, the letting of the Council’s housing via Choose n Move was suspended on the 25th March. On the 13th May further government guidance

confirmed that “non-essential” house moves could resume stressing that social landlords. Despite lower overall volumes of people presenting as homeless in the last 3-4 months, the levels of households  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.