Issue - meetings

B Report of the Director of Housing Services

The draft Introductory Tenancy agreement and the draft Secure Tenancy agreement attached respectively in Appendices 2 and 3 of the Cabinet report are approved and authorisation is given to the variation of tenants’ existing terms and conditions of tenancy.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet, expressing frustration that nothing had been done to replace NTACT, which had been disbanded in November 2008.  He pointed out continuing issues surrounding the Council’s consultation processes with tenants. He called for a steady tenants’ participation body and asserted that there had been insufficient consultation on the final tenancy agreement document.  Referring to the contents of the document, he pointed out that there were not four rent-free weeks as claimed, rather that the 52 weeks of rent was paid over a 48 week period and that tenants paid rent in advance.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet reiterating the importance of the Council having a democratic tenant participation scheme in place at the earliest opportunity. He commented that the Council reviewed rents annually in accordance with a formula laid down by central Government but that the Council could vary the amount during the course of the year in certain circumstances.  Referring to the issue of dogs in flats, he questioned the rule for flats that were on the ground floor and with gardens.  He asked for a definition of a dangerous or venomous animal and queried the legality of keeping an untaxed vehicle in a council-owned garage.

As Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Beardsworth asked Cabinet to consider the results off the consultation and to approve the final drafts for implementation.  The previous agreements had been drawn up in 1997 and were no longer fit for purpose.  She described the consultation process, which had been extended from 28 days to 12 weeks and thanked those residents present at the meeting for their input.  There had also been interaction with tenants’ sounding boards, neighbourhood forums and an Overview and Scrutiny group, who had undertaken an appreciative enquiry.

It was confirmed that the proper processes had been followed within the consultation toolkit and every effort had been made to consult those affected by the decisions.  Officers were congratulated on their thoroughness and it was noted that there had been 46 amendments to the document in response to the consultation. Clarification was given that the final version of the draft document had been drawn up after all the comments had been addressed and that, once agreed, the draft document would become the final agreement.

RESOLVED

That the draft Introductory Tenancy agreement and Secure Tenancy agreements attached in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report be approved and authorisation be given to the variation of tenants’ existing terms and conditions of tenancy.