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Contact: Lowri Haf Evans Email: lowrihafevans@gwynedd.llyw.cymru 01286 679 878
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES To receive
any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received
from Councillors Craig ab Iago, Stephen Churchman, Annwen Hughes, Linda Morgan,
Nigel Pickavance and Mike Stevens |
|
DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest Additional documents: Minutes: The following member
declared a personal interest for the reasons noted: ·
Councillor Angela Russell, in item 7 on
the agenda, due to her daughter
being a tenant and a former Chair of the Board of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd. The Member was of the opinion
that it was a prejudicial interest, and she withdrew from the Chamber during
the discussion on the application noted. |
|
URGENT ITEMS To note any
items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for
consideration. Additional documents: Minutes: None to
note |
|
The
Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held
on 22.9.16 be signed as a true record. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 22 September 2016, were accepted as
a true record of the meeting. |
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HOUSING STRATEGY DIRECTIVE AND THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATIONS PDF 350 KB Consider
the report Additional documents: Minutes: A report was submitted to encourage a discussion on the priorities of the Gwynedd Housing Partnership Strategy 2013-2017. The role of
the housing associations to
achieve these priorities, along with the way these
matters would be met, was noted by reviewing
the Strategy for the 2017 -
2021 period. The Housing Strategic Manager highlighted that Housing Associations
provide more than housing and that the report
referred to what had been completed, as well as the main achievements over the strategy's period. Additional benefits were apparent, such as work
opportunities and opportunities for people to move forward in the housing market. Nevertheless, their main emphasis was to build new developments that would be funded
by grants from the Welsh Government. It was highlighted that Welsh Government had set a supply target of 20,000 units by the end
of the next Government, which placed emphasis and urgency on
Councils and Housing Associations to respond. It was the Council that decided on
the strategic priorities of
these development by collaborating with, and directing,
the Housing Associations to
locations where other areas were
targeted that had been divided as
required. The process would identify prospective tenants through the Allocations Policy and the Housing Options Team. Reference was made to the role of the Energy Wardens that were crucial
in terms of introducing and promoting schemes. It was noted that
several Partners of the Partnership contributed toward this role
- an example of energy schemes were 'Nyth' and 'Cartrefi Clyd'. Along with new developments, it was explained that the Partnership focused on homelessness matters and the Housing Act by collaborating with Housing Associations and Supporting People Team to provide services to the most vulnerable people of our society. By
reviewing the strategy, it was noted that,
as suppliers and promoters, the partners would have to be central to ensure that the relationship continued. During the ensuing discussion the following observations
were highlighted: ·
Some areas continued to see need ·
What was the vision of
the Housing Associations? ·
More must be done to keep people
local - need confidence in the allocations procedure ·
Why build new? Needed to look at the housing for sale and
empty housing situation ·
Empty bedroom tax being an
additional cost to the tenant. ·
Building from new could create
a ghetto outside of communities where people were seen
moving from village centres to live on the outskirts. ·
A need for schemes that
would include more bungalows ·
It was necessary to look long term and in detail in
terms of housing suitability - a long term vision
was necessary It was recognised that
the situation was challenging
with substantial difficulties and problems to do what was possible with the available resources. It was highlighted that the Strategy was robust - the challenge was the capacity to implement and fund the schemes. In response to the concern in regards ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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CARTREFI CYMUNEDOL GWYNEDD ANNUAL REPORT (2015-2016) PDF 686 KB Consider the
report Additional documents: Minutes: The Annual Report
of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG) for 2015-2016 was
submitted. Reference was made to the Transfer Agreement, and it was noted that
it was required for them to note
how they had realised the promises made to tenants in the Offer Document and implemented the obligations under the Transfer Agreement. It was highlighted that the results of the report were encouraging
and had a valuable effect on the economy.
During
the discussion the following
observations were noted: ·
CCG were congratulated on receiving a Wales National Procurement
award and on their positive
social benefit report. ·
New developments were approved, but it was necessary
to secure more units for older people
as well as one-bedroom units. ·
Need to solve the land Maintenance responsibilities of locations in multiple ownership,
giving consideration to the
lack of flexibility in paying arrangements
·
The decline in the standards of kitchens, for example, was likely to come together and therefore
it was foreseen that a further investment would be needed. ·
A request to strengthen the local members' links - a valuable resource to bridge links In response to a question
regarding an external company forming the report, it was noted that
the tender process had been followed that
was open to everyone and that it
was a company from Belfast that had succeeded. It was highlighted that Menter Môn and a company from Colwyn Bay had contributed local input to the reports. In response to a question regarding customer care, it was noted
that the customer care statistics were lower than expected and that
the repair service was part of this. As
a result, it was noted that the situation was being reviewed and that
work was being done to transform in order to improve
customer care efficiency. It was reported that a pilot had been undertaken and that things appeared
to be improved. In response to a question
regarding receiving the report, the Housing Strategic Manager reported that meetings
were being held every six
months with CCG to review the values and the promises. It was received that a number of promises had been given, but by
now it was felt that CCG had achieved those promises and therefore accepted
that these had been completed. This was confirmed by the Cabinet Member. The Chief Executive
of CCG highlighted that the
company was, by now, moving to a period of development and wanted to achieve
more within communities. A request was made for them to be treated as an
equal partner - like the other housing services. Everyone
was thanked for their contribution and representatives of Cartrefi
Cymunedol Gwynedd were thanked
for attending the meeting. Resolved ·
To accept the professional advice that CCG has fulfilled
the promises in the Offer Document subject to the points below: · To welcome the fact that a close relationship should ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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EFFECT OF WELFARE CHANGES ON HOUSING PDF 209 KB Consider
the report Additional documents: Minutes: Two
documents were submitted to the Members - one sharing the brief of the recent
workshop arranged by Housing Associations and Gwynedd Council to discuss the
obligations of the Local Housing Allowance as well as an initial draft of an
action plan. The
Strategic Manager highlighted that the work programme was a live document
mainly because the further changes in the benefits arrangements were on the
horizon. It was emphasised that there was a need to be aware of these changes
and the county’s residents. During the
ensuing discussion the following observations were highlighted: • Low
cap in Gwynedd and therefore, attention needed to be brought to this nationally.
Awareness needed to be raised on the difficulty of seeking properties to rent • The situation was disheartening,
difficult and tiresome for vulnerable families • Suggestion to contact the Members of
Parliament and the Assembly Member • Methodology needed to be considered -
needed to review Gwynedd's cap • The
scheme needed to be tied in with the other Strategies of the County e.g. the
economy - there was a need to attempt to assist to get more people into work -
tie in with senior strategies to seek a solution In response
to a question regarding work being done to identify families that would feel
the effect of changes in benefits (Housing Benefits and Work Benefits - amendments
7.11.16), it was noted that 53 families had been identified by Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG)
that were in a vulnerable situation. It was noted that CCG had collaborated
with the Rent Team and were preparing beforehand to seek a solution. In the
context of Universal Credit, it was highlighted that 60 individuals had been
identified and that CCG had been working closely with Cynefin
to seek a solution. It was highlighted that there was a need for the work of
identifying vulnerable tenants to continue. Resolved • Welcome the submission of the action
plan. • To
draw attention nationally to the cap being so low in Gwynedd - need to canvas
to adapt the methodology and press on changing it. It was suggested to invite
the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children to discuss the situation in
Gwynedd • That
there is a need to continue to collaborate with tenants and to warn them about
the effect of the changes |