PART 1
(OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
ITEM NO. 7b
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF HOUSING SERVICES
TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING SERVICES
ON INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT OF THE NEW HOUSING RENEWAL POLICY
TITLE: Consultation Process & Progress on the Impact of the New Housing Renewal
Policy
RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Lead Member for Housing Services note the content
of this report and timetable for consultation of the development of the new housing
renewal policy.
That the Lead Member authorise the Head of Housing, to carry out the consultation
process to seek the publics views on what they think on the proposed changes to be
included in the policy, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report outlines progress made to date on the policy and the proposed
consultation process to help facilitate policy development and work towards a draft
policy framework to be presented for consultation to elected members on an
appropriate date in May 2003.
The City Council is required to publish a new housing renewal policy that will outline
the forms of financial assistance to be made available to homeowners of the city.
The new policy must be evidence based consulted on, adopted by the City Council
and published by 18th July 2003 to enable the Council to continue spending money
on private sector housing beyond that date.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: Cabinet Report Submitted – 29th August 2002, on the
impacts of the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance)(England & Wales) Order
2002. Consultative doc.
“Housing Renewal Guidance” a Consultative document from the office of the Deputy
Prime Minister, June 2002.
The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England & Wales) Order 2002.
Milestones for implementation of the policy for 2003/04
Consultation timetable.
(Available for public inspection)
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
The introduction of an appropriate Housing Renewal Policy is required by
18th July 2003 under the terms of the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance)
(England & Wales) Order 2002 (The Order).
Failure to consult on and publish an appropriate policy by that date will result in the
City Council becoming unable to spend the resources to service the regeneration &
Renewal of the Private Sector housing stock within the City.
An appropriate Housing Renewal Policy must provide a framework for the allocation
of resources that are available and are transparent, consistent, understandable and
fair. Internal Audit will be fully involved in the development of the HR Policy and the
procedures & systems for administering expenditure under it.
The Consultation Process is required to be completed by the end of May to enable
the policy to be informed by July 2003.
THE SOURCE OF FUNDING IS:
The initial revenue costs for preparing and consulting on the City Council’s Housing
Renewal Policy will be met from within existing budgets.
Costs for the publicity and marketing to assist the consultaion process are being met
through the existing budget and includes the preparation of leaflets, questionnaires,
video, display boards and the policy itself in a loose leaf A4 folder to assist up dating
of the policy tools as they are developed and become available.
Any additional resources to facilitate the development and implementation of the
Housing Renewal Policy would be subject to further reports to Lead member and or
Cabinet.
LEGAL ADVICE OBTAINED:
Clear Government guidance on the development and
Implementation of a HR Policy, as required by the order, is still awaited.
The Council’s Legal Officers will be fully involved as part of this consultation process
and all the stages of the detailed development work of new policy tools that are
likely
to be included will be undertaken.
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FINANCIAL ADVICE OBTAINED:
The Order requires the established publication and ongoing review of a Housing
Renewal Policy by 18th July 2003. Failure to comply with this
requirement would remove the Council’s ability to spend resources to secure
the
regeneration and renewal of private sector housing stock within the City.
CONTACT OFFICER: J.Cavanagh
Urban Regeneration Manager
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S):-
ALL
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:-
Equality & Race Relations
Environmental Sustainability Strategy
Health
Housing
Performance Management
Regeneration
Social Exclusion
DETAILS: The RRO housing renewal came into effect on 18th July 2002 and repeals
much of the existing proscriptive legislation under the Housing Act 1985 and,
Housing, Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 regarding renovation,
common parts and HMO Grants, Group repair and Home repair assistance.
The key policy development process involves the consultation of the new policy tools
in the form of financial assistance made available to homeowners within the City.
The following key action highlights the need for public feedback on what they think
should be ordered in the new policy. To date the following actions have commenced
and where stated completed, to assist both policy development and consultation
process.
Policy Toolkit Day – Initial session held 14th March 2003. Facilitated by the
Keegans Group. Some elected members attended – attendance attached.
Notice of Key decisions for cabinet on new Policy on Agenda 9 th July 2003,
submitted and completed, 3rd April 2003.
Agenda item for Environmental Scrutiny 19th May 2003 – submitted to Peter
Kidd 28th April 2003. Report due 8th May 2003 for 19th May 2003. Head of
Housing or other designated supporting officer to attend.
Display and supporting marketing material arranged for Consultation Process –
completed 23rd April 2003.
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Publicity of Consultation Events to be advertised in Salford Advertiser, Council
Website, Salford People. Completed May 2003.
Initial Equality Impact Assessment, commenced and liaisons with Council
Equality Policy Officer. Completed April 2003.
Elected members and Lead members session on new Policy, date to be
determined week commencing 19th May 2003.
Public Consultation timetable, attached. Week commencing 11th May 2003 –
30th May 2003 –
Questionnaire to complete – entry into a free prize draw, Salford Money Line
and Housing Strategy Staff to assist public events supported by a
Questionnaire on the Council web-site and to be filled in at the display
Internal Directories and External Consultation. Background Consultation paper
formal comments to be feedback no later than 30th May 2003.
Standard pro-forma produced and circulated to obtain baseline information to
inform the policy. 6th May 2003, completed. Returned Pro-forma due in by
16th May 2003.
Review & Summary of information on-going in May during Consultation Process.
Results to be summarized June 2003.
First Draft policy framework end of May.
See attached key Milestones for Policy development and implementation for
2003/04.
Conclusion:
I conclude by requesting the Lead Member for Housing Services approve the initial
consultation process planned for May 2003 followed by further reports on the
consultation process and development of the draft policy framework.
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