Issue - items at meetings - Service Pledges for tenants and leaseholders in council managed housing

Report of Strategic Director Place (copy attached).

(1)          That the Housing Cabinet Member approves the Service Pledges attached in appendices 1, 2 and 3.

123.1     The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director Place which provided an overview of the development of service pledges with residents and included the service pledges that had been agreed with residents in the appendices.  The service pledges met the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) requirement to produce local service offers by 1 April 2011, which was still a requirement of all councils who are landlords.

123.2     A wide range of consultation was carried out with resident on the development of the service pledges and this was detailed in 3.1 to 3.7 of the report.

123.3     The Head of Housing and Social Inclusion informed the meeting that the report had been well received by the Housing Management Consultative Committee.  There had been some comments about how tenants should understand some of the Brighton & Hove Standards and as a result a leaflet would be produced explaining in plain English how these standards should be interpreted.    

123.4     Councillor Simpson referred to paragagh 3.16 to 3.20 which related to standards not being met if two or more of the other building components were old and needed replacing or required immedate repair (these related to kitchens, bathrooms and heating distribution systems).  Councillor Simpson considered that there should be clarification for tenants about these standards.  She asked for confirmation that the Brighton & Hove Standard did not conflict with Decent Homes Standards. 

123.5     The Head of Housing and Social Inclusion confirmed that there was no conflict with the Decent Homes Standards.   

123.6     RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member made the following decision:

(1)          That the Housing Cabinet Member approves the Service Pledges attached in appendices 1, 2 and 3.