Agenda item - Housing Management Performance Report

68.1                 Ododo Dafe, Head of Income Involvement & Improvement, introduced the report which included a basic summary and a more detailed report to outline overall Quarter 3 2018/19 performance.

68.2                 In response to residents asking if Moulsecoombe and Hollingdean ward ranked highly with eight and if there was a major loss in rent on 3.7 on the report, long term empty dwellings by ward (empty six weeks or more as of 1 January 2019), officers stated that that was not a particular concern as five of these properties experienced major works in this period and that loss of rent was due to two of the properties being in senior housing.

68.3                 In response to residents asking why two properties in Preston Park ward remained vacant for one year, officers stated that there had been an issue with specific works however it was an improvement on the previous year.

68.4                 Officers commented that the issues of long term empty properties had been challenged by members in the Housing and New Homes Committee and stated that the main problem arose from issues with seniors housing where they had struggled to make properties attractive and they often had structural obstacles.

68.5                 In response to residents questioning the disparity in rent and housing allowance for Seaside Homes, officers stated that there would be a review of the rent and the model of Seaside Homes.

68.6                 In response to residents asking if 4.17 included emails, Repairs Helpdesk – calls answered, officers stated it did not.

68.7                 In response to the Chair asking if Housing had Key Performance Indicators for emails responded and answered to residents, officers stated that they did not current however this could be established. She added that the email turn around was approximately 10 days and they had introduced dedicated officers to answer these.

68.8                 In response to residents asking why the time period was 35 days in Q2 in 4.22, Estate Development Budget main bids – average duration of work, officers stated that this could include the sample process, notice of work and the time needed for different trades to operate on the site.