Issue - meetings

This report has been prepared in response to the safety compliance issues identified in respect of East Kent Housing’s management of the housing tenanted properties. The report reviews the current position with EICR compliance and makes recommendations on a new inspection regime. The report further updates the position with regards to water risk assessments and the budget provisions needed for completion of these works. The report ends with a summary of year to date additional costs for compliance improvements mainly related to additional EKH staff. 

The report had been prepared in response to the safety compliance issues identified in respect of East Kent Housing’s management of the housing tenanted properties. The report reviewed the current position with EICR compliance and made recommendations on a new inspection regime. The report further updated the position with regards to water risk assessments and the budget provisions needed for completion of these works. The report ended with a summary of year to date additional costs for compliance improvements mainly related to additional EKH staff. 

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 15 October 2019. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/09/31 be received and noted.

2.        That the council adopt a five-year rolling programme of electrical installation testing of its tenanted properties.

3.        That an additional budget provision of £118,000 be agreed for 19/20 and subsequent years for electrical installation testing and remedial works to be funded from the HRA.

4.        That the actions and budgets allocated for Water Risk Assessment compliance works be noted.

5.        That the additional budget provisions allocated to EKH for management fee increases for 19/20 and 20/21 and other costs, be agreed with a full reassessment to be undertaken when considering the 2020/21 HRA budget. 

(Voting figures: 5 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION

·         The recommendation to move to a five-year rolling programme of EICR inspections is based on best practice and expected legislative changes.

·         The recommendation for additional funding water risk assessment compliance works is based on health and safety requirements.