Issue - meetings

B Report of Director of Housing.

Members approved the draft rechargeable repairs policy, which was attached in the appendix subject to the deletion of the second bullet pointed aim set out in paragraph 2.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet and queried whether this was an update on existing policy or a new one.  He also queried how successful the Council had been in reclaiming costs following reinstatement works when tenants had vacated properties.  He also asked whether the Council self insured or insured against damage where the cost could not be claimed back and the impact on the HRA in terms of money that could be reclaimed from tenants. 

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and commented that he believed, generally speaking, that the policy was a common sense approach but stated it would be helpful if the list of examples of when a charge might be made, set out in paragraph 3.1.3, had been more exhaustive.  He commented that accidental damage should not be charged for and that the document should also set out the Council’s obligations, not just those applying to tenants.  He made specific reference to the charges made to tenants for the cleaning and upkeep of communal areas, which in some cases tenants were not receiving the service despite paying for it.

Councillor Beardsworth, as the Portfolio Holder for Housing, submitted a report which set out a draft Rechargeable Repairs Policy, which was intended for use by Housing Officers.  She noted that the principle of making rechargeable repairs had already been included in the new tenancy agreement circulated to tenants.  She noted the comments made about using discretion in the case of accidental damage.  The Portfolio Holder suggested that the second aim set out in paragraph 2 of the Appendix be deleted as this was adequately covered by the other four bullet points. 

RESOLVED: That subject to the Appendix being amended by the deletion of the second bullet point in paragraph 2, “Aims of the Policy”, the Rechargeable Repairs Policy be approved.