Agenda item

Impact of Ongoing Covid Issues – It was reported that there were currently 12 members of staff with Covid and the previous highest figure had been 15.  It was explained that staff members with Covid have been able to continue working.  It was noted that the main impact of Covid on the workforce was in respect of trade staff who were unable to carry on working or had been redeployed.  Other areas impacted have included repairs and the supply chain of materials where contractors were involved.  It was reported that the main issue resulting from customers with Covid, was refusing access to the property, which impacted on activities such as electrical inspections and reporting repairs, although post lockdown there has been a significant increase in the latter and this had remained consistent over the period of time that followed. 

Regarding the recruitment of the right level of staff, it was explained that it had been challenging to attract into certain trades such as electricians due to the competitiveness of the market.  It was added that there had been surprising difficulties recruiting into administration posts.

Rent Loss/Void Rent Loss (Lettable Voids) – Members were informed that Void Rent Loss (a subset of KPI 1 Rent loss) as referred to in the Value For Money report was when benchmarked nationally, performing well and was in the top quartile when compared to national data for  the end of the last financial year. 

It was explained that a challenging target had been set around void rent loss.  Members were informed that there was a great deal being undertaken around this area, such as how quickly those properties can be repaired and turned around to be let.  Members were informed about various issues addressed such as material supply issues and strengthening the supply chain.  It was reported that other issues included staff vacancies, staff sickness and lettings staff returning to the office and being placed next to void staff to facilitate better working together as teams.  Members heard that further work had been done to ensure that data reported was accurate by trying to assess properties prior to becoming void and undertaking viewings whilst void.  It was explained that in the region of 50-75% of all current voids were in fact let and waiting to be fully repaired or for the tenant to move in.  It was explained that reasons for the refusal of a property were being considered, and that consultation was being undertaken around the new Housing Allocation policy, which would include what can be done where particular customers continuously refuse reasonable offers. 

Regarding the Accessible Housing Register, it was outlined that there was an ongoing review about this.  It was also noted that there had been a significant fall in the availability of houses but that bungalow turnover had remained static.  It was explained that the process could take a long time due to waiting for individual assessments to be undertaken by Occupational Therapists.

Number of Homeless Preventions- Members were informed that SLHD was seeing a significant increase of people who were concerned about becoming homeless, and that this had remained at a high level for over a year.  It was continued that there was also a high number of ‘homeless tonight’ presentations that approached SLHD on the day of becoming homeless.  It was explained how it was those people who presented around 60 to 100 days prior to the threat of becoming homeless and received more basic level advice at the time of presenting.  It was recognised that more needed to be done in not only dealing with the immediate crisis of preventing immediate homelessness but also in getting back upstream into early prevention.  It was considered that there was a high level of success when this was undertaken and Members were provided with examples of what was being done.  Concern was raised whether private sector evictions was linked to local benefit rates not being in line with rising rents (as Doncaster had traditionally been a low rental area) and was therefore a national DWP issue. Regarding partnership working, it was felt that this had improved between SLHD and the Council over the 6-12 months and was now extremely constructive. 

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) – Concern was raised regarding the increase of anti-social behaviour and the cases that had been resolved.  Members were informed that SLHD resident’s annual survey had indicated a positive response around how SLHD deals with ASB.  It was continued that high levels of satisfaction were also expressed following complaints reported.  Finally, it was commented that more was being done to improve progress updates back to the complainant.  It was felt that there had been good partnership working undertaken with the Council and the Police.  It was noted that there had been some ad-hoc issues across the Borough and concern was expressed about the level of Organised Crime Group (OCG) issues experienced in Doncaster.

RESOLVED that the progress of SLHD performance outcomes and the contributions it makes to supporting Doncaster Council’s strategic priorities be noted.