Apologies were received from Councillor Theo Jupp.

Councillor Asima Quayyum declared she lived in a Council property ; it was not a pecuniary interest but made the declaration for reasons of transparency.

Councillor Edward Mundy declared he lived in a Council property; it was not a pecuniary interest but made the declaration for reasons of transparency.

None.

The Panel is asked to agree the notes of the meeting held on 10 October 2024 as a true and accurate record.

The Panel agreed the notes of the meeting held on 10 October 2024 as a true and accurate record.

Appendix 1 to this item includes exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If the Housing and Homelessness Panel wishes to discuss matters relating to the information set out in Appendix 1 to the report, it will be necessary for the Panel to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting (as set out at agenda item 10).

Cabinet, at its meeting on 13 November 2024, will consider a report from the Head of Housing Services seeking authority to procure and delegation to award a contract to deliver the Council’s Furnished Tenancy Scheme. Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Head of Housing Services, Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager, Kieran Edmunds, Rapid Rehousing Manager, and Carolyn Devenney, Senior Furnished Tenancy Officer have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, introduced the report, highlighting the number of tenants using the scheme and that it was cost neutral to the Council.

Kieran Edmunds, Rapid Rehousing Manager, Carolyn Devenney, Senior Furnished Tenancy Officer, and Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager were also in attendance to answer questions.

Councillor Rawle noted that a very small percentage of social homes are furnished on average in Oxford, compared to a much high percentage in the private rented sector. The Senior Furnished Tenancy Officer responded that they couldn’t comment on the private sector, however stated that there had been more demand for the scheme and how the Council was promoting the scheme to residents.

Councillor Mundy asked if the scheme was offering good value for money for residents. The Senior Furnished Tenancy Officer responded that residents could have different options for the length of their tenancies and the Council had many residents over the 5 years.

Councillor Diggins inquired whether residents can use the same furniture if they swap tenancies and if this applies only at the beginning of their tenancy. The Senior Furnished Tenancy Officer clarified that residents can take the furniture to their new property only if they are moving into another OCC property. Carpets and curtains will remain in situ.

If residents move outside of Oxford or to another Housing Association, the items will be returned and recycled within the Scheme. However, for items that cannot be reused, such as mattresses, these will be gifted to tenants moving to a non-OCC property.

Councillor Mundy asked about the impact this scheme had on the Hosing Revenue Account. The Landlord Services Manager noted the pressures on the HRA budget, however it is  currently a cost neutral scheme, but it is kept under review.

The Panel agreed to make the following recommendation:

1. That the Council establishes relationships with local organisation, including charities, to enhance the reuse and recycling of used furniture under the Furnished Tenancy Scheme, with an aim to reduce wastage by extending life of furniture that may still hold value for temporary housing or community projects.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report for the Implementation of Refugee Resettlement in Oxford. Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Head of Housing Services, Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager, Stephen Cohen, Refugee and Resettlement Manager, and Alan Chandler, Senior Refugee and Migrant Officer have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, and Alan Chandler, Senior Refugee Migrant Officer introduced the report.

Councillor Rawle queried how refugees had access to the scheme and the communication is given to those leaving the scheme. The Senior Refugee Migrant Officer responded that the families are offered up to two years of support which is provided by our partner Asylum Welcome to enable the families to become independent, after which, the Council offers a ‘light touch service’ signposting those seeking advice, enabling their independence from the resettlement programme.

Councillor Diggins asked about how the scheme operated, to which the Senior Refugee Migrant Officer commented that the Council secure predominantly private rented properties, although the Council has successfully secured additional Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) to procure 4 properties for the council’s housing stock, to be used to house Afghan families until they no longer need those homes. The recent acquisitions would be retained for the council’s future use. To secure private rented accommodation the council pays a holding fee, 2 months’ rent in advance and helps with furnishing. From when families arrive, they will be supported to apply for universal credit, offered access to therapeutic counselling, education, training, and employment to give them the best possible chance to become independent and to sustain their tenancies. Many families will remain in the same property that they were initially offered after completing the programme.

Councillor Diggins asked if there was a maximum of families the Council could support. The Senior Refugee Migrant Officer responded that there was no maximum for how many properties the Council could secure for the scheme.

Cllr Stares left the meeting.

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a Housing Performance report for 2024/25 mid-year. Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Head of Housing Services, Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager and Tom Porter, Senior Strategy and Service Development Officer have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, and Tom Porter, Senior Strategy and Service Development Officer briefly introduced the report.

Councillor Diggins asked why the void relet performance seemed to be decreasing as per the report. The Landlord Services Manager responded that progress had been made but expected a reset by the beginning of the new financial year.

Councillor Diggins responded that that there seemed to be improvement. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager responded that homelessness continued to be a challenge but with a higher prevention targets were a positive step and improving the mediation service specialising between landlords and dealing with disputes.

Councillor Diggins also asked about the breakdown of Council’s prevention duty outcomes. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager stated that this data was known which would be shared with the Panel outside of the meeting.

Councillor Qayyum left the meeting.

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report providing an update on complaint handling performance for the Council’s landlord function. Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Head of Housing Services, Bill Graves, Landlord Services Manager, and Katherine Mayes, Customer Care and Complaints Manager have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Bill Graves, Landlord Services Manager noted there was a backlog that was expected to be completed before the end of the year and that complaints had doubled compared to last year.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities commented on transparency and the work of the team in resolving the complaints.

Councillor Mundy asked about the complaints going to the Housing Ombudsman and any correlation with national trends on tenant satisfaction. The Landlord Services Manager responded that the last few years saw the Council improve its overall tenant satisfaction rating when compared to the national average.

Councillor Diggins asked if complaints were being upheld and if there was an expected impact with more damp and mould complaints being received. The Landlord Services Manager expected these complaints to increase over the next few quarters but noted better communications with tenants and Oxford Direct Services.

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations.

The Panel is asked to consider the Work Plan and agree any amendments.

The Panel noted the Committee’s current work plan.

The Panel is asked to note the dates and times of future meetings of the Housing and Homelessness Panel:

·       27 November 2024, 6pm (extraordinary)

·       04 March 2025, 6pm

Meetings will take place remotely via Zoom.

The Panel noted the dates of future meetings.