Issue - meetings

B Report of Director of Housing. (Copy herewith)

Cabinet approved the strategy attached in the appendix to the report.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet and commented that paragraph 3.1.1 did not appear to make sense.  He also expressed surprise that some of the analysis differentiated customers by age.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and commented that there was a need for comparative data not only on grounds of ethnicity or age for example what was the overall percentage of tenants who were aged between 35 and 50 etc.  He believed that the strategy should be further developed to clarify the situation.  He observed that the strategy should concentrate on the reasons for why people defaulted on payments rather than on individuals.

The Chief Executive commented that ethnicity and monitoring by age was required by Best Practice so as to ensure that there was not disproportionate representation of some groups, people in particular circumstances.

Councillor Beardsworth submitted a report as the appropriate Portfolio Holder that sought approval to an income recovery strategy.  She noted that there had been some successes with income recovery but more work was needed including support to tenants in respect of debt management.  Some tenants may need help to make payments on time and she commended the work of the Gateway Team for their work with them.  She also observed that in the current economic situation anyone could find themselves affected in terms of having difficulty in paying bills.  Improvements had been made to allow four different payment dates over a month.

The Chair commented that it was important to understand the drivers and impact of situations that individuals found themselves in.

RESOLVED:         That the strategy set out in the Appendix to the report be approved.