To receive an update from Tony Hall, Chief Executive, Freebridge Community Housing.
Minutes:
The Chairman then invited Tony Hall, Chief Executive of Freebridge Community Housing to give a presentation to the Committee.
The presentation covered:
· Programme of Improvements for Tenants
- Decent Homes Programme
- Non-Trads Programme
- Hillington Square – A place where people want to live
- Empty Homes Scheme
· New development
- Keeble Court, King’s Lynn and Coronation Avenue, West Winch
- Passivhaus – Terrington St Clement
- Waterside, North Lynn
- Lady Jane Grey Road
· Key Performance Indicators
· What has been achieved
· Future Plans and Changes in National Policy
The Chairman then invited the Committee to ask questions, which are summarised below.
Councillor Tyler referred to the area around some garages on Reid Way and asked whose responsibility it was for maintaining them. He added that if they were the responsibility of Freebridge, then how quickly would Freebridge respond, if an issue was raised in relation to improving the area.
In response, Tony Hall explained that Freebridge had related assets outside of the home and around the property itself. Feedback from the Quality of Life survey had suggested that some people were dissatisfied with the areas around them.
In relation to grass cutting, Tony Hall explained that Freebridge tried to have a good relationship with the County and Borough. He further added that there was still a legacy from the transfer of stock where there was still some land belonging to the Council which would be better placed with Freebridge and vice versa, and some parcels of land had been transferred and where in the process of transferring.
With regards to the garage sites, it was explained that Freebridge had a varying demand for these. Some sites had been redeveloped as infill sites and he referred to a scheme in Hunstanton.
He added that as well as the decent homes standard, he also wanted to look at street lighting, pathways, etc.
With regards to how quickly issues could be dealt with, he explained that this would be on the same basis as repairs. However the difficulty would be if the work needed to be put into the overall work programme.
He concluded that if any Member had any particular issue then please let him know.
Councillor Smith referred to the decency standard and asked what was it and how that level was decided upon. He also asked Mr Hall if he would live in a Freebridge property.
In response, Tony Hall explained that there were several Freebridge Houses that he would like to live in. In relation to the decency standards he explained that this was a low standard and the key issues were around bathroom/kitchen life cycle targets. However, Freebridge had gone far beyond the decency standard in relation to insulation and tried to find ways to ensure homes were as energy efficient as possible. He added that if there was more funding available, then they would like to do more.
In response to a comment from Councillor Smith, Tony Hall explained that skirting boards were classed as a decorative feature. Damp issues would have to be investigated but generally it turned out to be condensation. He added that people could not afford to heat their properties and ventilate it at the same time. If it was condensation, then tenants would be expected to wipe down walls, but it would need to be inspected.
Councillor Mrs Collop asked what the future plans were for the Blockbusters shop. It was explained that it was in the programme and the drawings showed retail at ground floor with residential above. It was in the programme for this year but there was also a need to make sure that the building did not deteriorate.
Councillor Mrs Wilkinson asked what happened at the Freebridge Board Meetings. It was explained that the Board Meeting was not a public meeting. Tenants were informed about what was happening through Streets Ahead. He further added that tenants could be met on a one to one basis in their own homes as part of the out and about programme. They could also give feedback from the compliments and complaints form. There was also a tenant panel. He considered that there was a healthy relationship and there had not been any call for meetings to be held in a different way.
In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Wilkinson, it was confirmed that the Board Members were paid. It was explained that Board Meetings were held monthly together with other training events. It was also confirmed that he allowances were published in the annual accounts.
Councillor Miss Bambridge stated that she had put a note in the Members’ Bulletin regarding being on the Board and suggested that the current 2 board members could also submit an article.
Councillor McGuinness referred to the Decency Standard and asked if it was the same as 10 years ago.
In response, Tony Hall confirmed that it was and added that it was more beneficial to agree standards locally. Freebridge were trying to make properties as affordable as possible and were working with tenants to reduce energy costs.
Councillor J Collop stated that he was happy to hear about the plans for the Blockbuster shop in view of all the money which had been spent on the bus station, and hoped that the works would be carried out as soon as possible.
He asked whether the Committee could have a tour of the former Zoots site and Hillington Square as he would like to look at the standard of those properties. In response, Tony Hall explained that the Planning Committee had been on a tour on Monday 21 September. He added that he would be happy to take the Committee on a tour.
In response to a question from Councillor Tyler in relation to ani-social behaviour, Tony Hall explained that Freebridge generally worked together with other organisations as part of a team dealing with anti-social behaviour.
Councillor McGuinness referred to the redevelopment at Hillington Square, and asked what the timeframe was for the rest of the redevelopment works.
Tony Hall explained that a paper would be presented to the Board next week on how to proceed and then to talk to the tenants. He added that the plans would have to be reconsidered given the financial constraints.
The Chairman thanked Tony for an interesting and useful presentation.