Issue - meetings

 Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

 Councillor Jonathon Seed presented a report which recommended that Cabinet agree to the formation of a WOS that would deliver council house repairs and improvements and management, and other works which would deliver the council greater efficiencies and more cohesive services.  

The Leader invited Cllr Bridget Wayman, Lead Member for rapid scrutiny, to present a report, circulated as a supplementary paper. Cllr Wayman expressed her concern that Scrutiny Members had not been involved earlier in the process, and expressed the wish that they should continue to be involved in this process in the future.

Cllr Wayman went on to highlight some of the issues in the Rapid Scrutiny report, namely: that using only one, large contractor could exclude smaller, local contractors; that use of ICT was critical to the success of the programme; that tenants should continue to be involved in the process; the recommendation that apprenticeships be encouraged in the contract; the impact of the length of tenancies on the costs of the project and energy efficiency;  and a recommendation that the existing contract be extended to enable to new arrangements to be in place before the transfer. Cllr Wayman also declared an interest in that she was a Director of Selwood Housing Association.

Cllr Seed thanked Cllr Wayman for her report, and stated that quality and efficacy were the chief concerns for tenants, not who or how the service was delivered. He welcomed the input of Scrutiny and welcomed further input.

The Leader stated that, in her view, anything the Council procured should include a consideration of how apprenticeships could be promoted.

Cllr Mayes asked that reference be made as to how opportunities for looked after children were promoted within the scheme.

Cllr Seed stated that he would consider, with the advice of officers, how best to address these issues.

Cllr Hubbard stated that he was broadly supportive of the proposal; and asked if HRAs had been consulted to seek their views and  to learn from their experience. Cllr Seed stated that he, and officers, had visited a number of HRAs and local authorities to consider how the model worked and had discussed options with local housing providers. In response to a further question from Cllr Hubbard, Cllr Seed confirmed that the WOS would employ its own staff, and that the Council would procure a company to manage the WOS on its behalf.

In response to a question from the Leader, Dr Carlton  Brand – Corporate Director, stated that the matter would come back to Cabinet for consideration once the business case had been further developed, and that Scrutiny Members would be involved further in this process.

Resolved

To approve in principle for :-

1. The formation of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) to deliver the Council’s (Housing) Responsive Repairs, Voids, and Planned Investment works, works to hostels, Gypsy & Traveller sites, including the client function role.

2. Approve advancing the procurement of  a ‘partnering contractor’ that will manage the delivery of the Council’s housing asset management function and housing maintenance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102