-1MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE WREXHAM TENANT AND MEMBER
PARTNERSHIP HELD AT HOUSING SERVICES, RUTHIN ROAD, WREXHAM,
ON MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2009
MEMBERS
Representing Wrexham County Borough Council
Councillor
“
“
“
“
*
*
*
*
R W Caldecott
T Alan Edwards
Terry Evans
A Keith Gregory
D J Griffiths (Chair)
Councillor
“
“
“
“
* Carrie A Harper
R Alun Jenkins
Carole O’Toole
J R Skelland
Malcolm Williams
Representing the Wrexham Tenants
*
*
Ms Sonia Benbow-Jones
Mr Charles Devlin
Mrs Jacqui Finn
Miss S B Honkova
Mr C R Lloyd
*
*
*
Ms Dorothy Mitchell
Mr Eric Moore (Vice-Chair)
Mr Geraint Roberts
Mr Joe Skerritt
Mrs Dilys Torrens
*Absent
Also Present: Councillors Mrs June Fearnall and L Barrie Price. Also, Steve
Hibbert, Unison.
1
Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors RW Caldecott, T Alan
Edwards, A Keith Gregory and Carrie A Harper also Charles Devlin, SB Honkova,
Joe Skerritt, Dilys Torrens, Barbara Roxburgh (Wrexham Tenants Federation) and
Andy Lewis.
2
Minutes
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 July 2009 be received
and confirmed as a correct record.
Matters Arising
Minute 5 – Management Report – Wrexham Central
(i)

Steve Davies reported that the approximate cost of garage door replacements
was as follows:
Metal garage door (includes frame and fitting) c.£430
Wooden garage door (fitted) c.£468
-2
Tracy Gibson reported that Officers were in discussions with the Occupational
Therapy service in relation to rotary line product options.

It was also reported that the Environmental Improvements undertaken to
fencing at 12 properties in Barnfield had been to intermediate fencing that had
required replacement.
Minute 6 – Overall Performance of Landlord Services
(ii)
In response to a question regarding the impact of the changes to leadership and new
structure on the voids process it was reported that new processes and procedures
were being established which would positively impact upon void performance in the
future. It was noted that a report on the Responsive Repairs Service would be
considered later in this meeting at which point issues in relation to voids could be
further discussed.
3
Declarations of Personal Interests
There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interests made.
4
Tenancy Support
The Chair welcomed Deborah Molony, Tenancy Support Co-ordinator to the
meeting. Deborah Molony gave a detailed presentation to Partnership outlining the
work of the Tenancy Support Service as follows:









Aims of the service
Position of the service in the Housing structure
Staffing structure
Funding arrangements
Eligibility for assistance
Referral process
How support is provided
Type of assistance provided
Results April – March
Partnership members were invited to ask questions of the officer. In particular, the
following issues were highlighted and discussed:


The importance of monitoring arrangements – It was reported that the funding
provider, Supporting People, would be changing to outcome focussed
performance monitoring in the future.
Query regarding the long term security of funding levels. Officers reported
that there had been no indication that funding would cease in the immediate
future. In reporting that WAG had indicated possible changes to the
Supporting People funding system, which would subsume the funds within the
Revenue Support Grant, Members expressed concern that this would impact
-3-

upon the amount available for allocation and consequently upon level of
service delivery.
The essential nature of the service in positively impacting upon the lives of
tenants and in preventing homelessness.
In thanking the Officer for her presentation the Chair commended the work of the
Tenancy Support team in providing a valuable service to the tenants of Wrexham.
AGREED – That the information contained in the presentation be noted.
5
Update on Stock Option Appraisal
The Landlord Services Manager submitted a report (CHPPO/103/09) to advise the
Partnership of progress made on undertaking a financial stock option appraisal.
Fred Czulowski introduced the report to Partnership. Thereafter, Paul Spruce
informed Partnership that Sector Weedon Grant had been appointed to provide an
analysis of all the options available to Wrexham County Borough Council to achieve,
and maintain over a 30 year period, the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)
for its housing stock. The findings of Sector Weedon Grant would be presented to
the Wrexham Tenant and Member Partnership meeting scheduled for 18 December
2009, following which an All Member Workshop on the findings would be held and
thereafter, the Executive Board would decide upon the next steps for the Authority.
In addition, it was reported that the terms and conditions for the availability of the
Major Repairs Allowance had changed (as outlined at appendix 1 to the report),
placing an obligation upon local authorities to submit an acceptable HRA Business
Plan by 31 December 2009. It was noted that should an authority be not able to
achieve the WHQS from its own resources and the outcome of tenant ballot was to
reject stock transfer, WAG would require a plan outlining proposals to improve
housing stock within available resources. In addition, Officers would be required to
work with WAG to develop a plan to achieve WHQS over the longer term in a
timeframe acceptable to Welsh Ministers.
Partnership considered the report and a lengthy debate ensued on the following
issues:





The importance of considering all the possible options available to the
Authority.
Noted that WAG now fully funded the consultation process in relation to Stock
Transfer.
The importance of ensuring that clear, fair and balanced information is
disseminated to all Council tenants in relation to their options in order that an
informed decision could be made.
Acknowledgement that many factors including the Wrexham tenancy profile,
the economic climate, the financial position of the Council and the position of
WAG had changed since the previous ‘No Vote’ to stock transfer.
Request that a copy of the Consultants’ brief be circulated to all members of
Partnership.
-4AGREED – That the report be noted and the results of the Consultants’ review
into the options available to Wrexham County Borough Council to achieve and
maintain the Welsh Housing Quality Standard over a 30 year period be
considered by Partnership at its December meeting.
6
Proposed Visit to Bron Afon Community Housing
The Landlord Services Manager submitted a report (CHPPO/98/09) to advise
members of the Partnership of a proposed visit to Bron Afon Community Housing
and seek names of those who wish to attend.
Michelle Berry, Principal Assistant introduced the report informing the Partnership
that prior to consideration of the final recommendations from the consultants, Sector
Weedon Grant, on the Council’s options to achieve and maintain WHQS, it was
proposed that a group of Members, tenants and Officers visit Bron Afon Community
Housing. The purpose of the visit would be to discuss the process by which Torfaen
Council had undertaken stock transfer and associated issues regarding their
investment programme. It was proposed that the visit be arranged for Thursday, 29
October 2009 and nominations were sought from members of Partnership to attend.
Any Partnership member wishing to attend was requested to submit their name to
the Committee Administrator or Principal Assistant by 2 October in order that
arrangements could be finalised.
Similarly, it was reported that Neath Port Talbot Council had expressed an interest in
visiting Wrexham County Borough Council to meet with Officers and tenants and it
was proposed that arrangements be made for late November 2009.
AGREED – That nominations be sought from members of Wrexham Tenant
and Member Partnership to attend the site visit to Bron Afon Community
Housing on 29 October 2009.
7
Responsive Repairs Service
The Landlord Services Manager submitted a report (CHPPO/105/09) to update
members of the Wrexham Tenant and Member Partnership about progress with
change and improvements within the responsive repairs service.
A copy of the revised Tenant Satisfaction Survey was tabled for comments.
Thereafter, Steve Davies, Repairs Manager took the Partnership through the report
highlighting the key issues contained therein.
Partnership considered the report and in discussion made the following comments:




The Vice-Chair offered his congratulations to officers in making such
significant changes to the service.
The need to revisit targets in the light of the improvements made.
Positive feedback given on the proposed Tenant Satisfaction survey.
The need for a fencing, paths, kitchen, bathroom and maintenance policy.
-5
Members welcomed the Wrexham Repairs Team ‘Putting the Customer First’
commitment that had been agreed with staff.
In conclusion, Partnership welcomed the revised structure and the changes that had
been made and looked forward to receiving the resultant improved performance
information in the future.
AGREED – That the information contained within the report be noted and that
the ‘Putting the Customer First’ commitment and the new Tenant Satisfaction
Survey be endorsed.
8
Social Affairs Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee Work Programme
The Social Affairs Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee Work Programme was
submitted for information.
9
Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Partnership would be held on Monday, 2 November 2009 at
10.00am in Housing Services, Ruthin Road.
10
Any Other Business
Partnership members congratulated Officers, in particular David Rogers, for the
success of the recent Tenant Conference and suggested that Partnership prepare a
short article highlighting its success to be included in the January edition of the
Housing Hotline.
Councillor D J Griffiths
Chair