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) c:\joan\specimen new report format.doc 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. c:\joan\specimen new report format.doc 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. c:\joan\specimen new report format.doc 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. c:\joan\specimen new report format.doc