THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL

At a meeting of the Housing and Environment Policy Panel held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, on Tuesday, 10 October 2006 from 7.30pm to 9.05pm.

Present:Councillors Peter Wakeling (Chairman), Brian Norman (Vice-Chairman), Kemal Butt, Mary Connolly, Kerron Cross, Barbara Lamb MBE and David Major

Officers:Patrick Odling-Smee-Director of Housing and Health

David SaundersChief Building Surveyor

Gloria GillespieResidential Standards Manager

Michelle ScorgieCommunity Services Manager

Peter Kerr -Chief Development Plans & Transportation Officer

Sarah Haythorpe-Committee Manager

Also in attendance: Councillors Matthew Bedford, Pam Hames, Ann Shaw OBE, Nena Spellen and Martin Trevett

Apologies for absence:-Jacquie Grove

HE.PP39/06MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 12 September 2006, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

HE.PP40/06NOTICE OF OTHER BUSINESS

Members noted that the separately circulated report at Agenda Item 16a, M25 Widening Draft Environmental Statement, had not been available for inspection at least five clear days before this meeting and, therefore, could only be dealt with as an urgent item of business.

The report needed to be taken as an urgent item to ensure Members had the opportunity to comment on the draft environmental statement before the consultation period ended on 30 October 2006.

HE.PP41/06STRATEGIC, SERVICE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS

The Panel received a joint presentation from the Director of Corporate Resources and the Director of Strategic Services on the Service Planning Process. It was noted that the ‘Star Chamber’ would be an in-depth consideration for all 19 service plans by the Management Board and Councillors. Members were invited to attend any of the ‘Star Chamber’ sessions.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)that the presentation on Service Planning be noted;

(2)that the service plan for Housing and Environment be considered at the Housing and Environment Policy Panel meeting to be held on Tuesday 5 December 2006; and

(3)that it also be noted that the ‘Star Chamber’ for each service relating to the Housing and Environment Policy Panel would be taking place between the 16 October and the 9 November to which Members of this Panel would be invited to attend.

HE.PP42/06HOUSING EQUALITIES PROGRESS UPDATE

Members received a report on the progress Housing Services had made against implementation of BVPI 164, Equal Access to Social Housing, with recommendations on the action required to ensure compliance.

Members sought clarification on public access to the Council’s annual lettings performance. The Director of Housing and Health advised that the performance results would be available on the Council’s website and would be published in the Tenants newsletter.

An independent tenants satisfaction survey was being completed to identify any equalities concerns and other issues that affected council tenants in the District. The findings of the survey would be disseminated in January 2007, through workshops within the community and to a number of focus groups. Councillor Brian Norman advised that concern had been raised on the origin of the survey. The Director of Housing and Health advised that a letter had been circulated with the survey form and a contact telephone number provided for any enquiries.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)that the Department report 2006/7 annual performance on BVPI 164 to Members and there after annually;

(2)that the community services undertake further work on ensuring its services were available to BME communities;

(3)that the Department develop links with the local community and tenant groups including those from the BME communities, to ensure their views were properly considered as part of the proposed review of the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy;

(4)that the Department publish annually its lettings performance on the Council’s website and in other forms for customers to access to include the tenants newsletter and Homeless Forum; and

(5)that the Department ensure it consistently collects data on equality across its services and makes proper use of this data in the development of current and future services.

HE.PP43/06HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY PANEL’S WORK PROGRAMME

Members considered the Policy Panel’s work programme and agreed the

following additions:

ACTION AGREED:

that subject to the changes below, the work programme be agreed.

Panel Date / Amendment
Add:-
7 November 2006 / Outer Loudwater Conservation Area
Retail Parades
Local Development Framework – Feedback on consultation
Future Meeting / Status Survey – findings of Customer Satisfaction Survey
Choice Based Lettings
Criminal Records Bureau Checks
Feedback from Communal Cleaning Consultation
Oxhey Hall Conservation Area

HE.PP44/06MATTERS ARISING FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Members were provided with a report on matters arising from the Executive Committee on the 4 September 2006 that were within the remit of the Policy Panel.

ACTION AGREED:

that the report be noted.

HE.PP45/06AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS POLICY (COUNCIL PROPERTIES)

Members noted that there was no formal policy for adaptations to council properties. Previously, the procedure had relied on good practice guidance issued by the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Panel were advised that a formal policy that stated the service aims and objectives was essential in order that clarity and consistency would be achieved.

ACTION AGREED:

Recommend to Executive Committee:

(1)the Aids and Adaptations Policy to Council Properties (Appendix A) be adopted by Three Rivers District Council;

(2)the policy be widely distributed amongst all partners; and

(3)the test of resources be not applied to council tenants.

HE.PP46/06ENERGY CONSERVATION WORKS – HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT

The Panel were asked to consider an agreement with utility supplier Powergen to provide Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) grant funding to be used to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort of TRDC properties across the District. It was noted that installing adequate cavity and loft insulation was the most cost-effective way for the Council to reduce energy consumption in its housing stock.

Following extensive negotiations over several months, the Council were seeking approval to sign an agreement with Powergen which was considered to be in the Council’s best interest. The Council would be required to provide up to £414,470 from the HRA. The total value of insulation works would be £1,576,700.

ACTION AGREED:

Recommend to Executive Committee:-

(1)that the budgets be allocated in accordance with the needs of the 2006/07 and 2007/08 capital programmes. This would involve re-phasing money at the appropriate time between the two financial years which would be reported to a later committee and committing to this expenditure in 2007/08 prior to the setting of that years budget; and

(2)that the Council enter a contract with Powergen on the basis set out in the report.

HE.PP47/06PRIVATE SECTOR STOCK CONDITION SURVEY

The Residential Standards Manager reported the findings of the private sector stock conditions survey. The key issues identified from the survey under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System were:

  • 5% of properties had serious hazards present that would require urgent works to remedy;
  • 17% of properties had moderate hazards present that would require work in the future;
  • 27% of properties had slight hazards present that would not require action and would be for information only for the owner.

Councillor Brian Norman expressed concern that as an owner of one of the private sector properties surveyed he had not received a copy of the report. The Residential Standards Manager agreed to investigate and report back.

ACTION AGREED:

that the report be noted.

HE.PP48/06THE FERRY CAR PARK

Members considered a proposal for secure parking in the Ferry Car Park. The Chief Development Plans and Transportation Officer reported that the Chorleywood Business Association would like to use the car park for local business parking. At present, 38 people had indicated they would use the car park as long as secured parking was provided.

Councillor Peter Wakeling advised that the security surveillance to be used would be similar to the system used at the William Penn Leisure Centre.

In response to a question from Councillor Barbara Lamb on the funding for the scheme, it was advised that as match funding from Herts County Council for Harrow Way/St Georges Drive was not available, the scheme could be funded from the highways improvement budget.

ACTION AGREED:

that the Panel recommend to the Executive Committee that the sum of £19,800 be vired from the Highways Improvements to the Parking Controls capital budget to fund the works to the Ferry Car Park.

HE.PP49/06THREE RIVERS PARKING SCHEME – PROPOSED DISABLEDBAY AT DELTA GAIN, CARPENDERSPARK

The Panel received a report to agree the installation of a disabled parking bay. Members noted that an advisory disabled parking bay was installed at Delta Gain in 2005. As the stretch of highway occupied by the bay was already covered by a single yellow line parking restriction Hertfordshire Highways requested its removal and replacement by means of an amendment to the Traffic Regulation Order. It was noted the bay was an important local amenity for local residents with Blue Badges and needed to be reinstated as a formally designated bay. A plan of the bay was circulated to the Panel Members.

ACTION AGREED:

Recommendation to Executive Committee:

(1)that the Hertfordshire (Various Roads, Watford Rural) (Waiting Restrictions) (Consolidation) Order 2001 be amended to include a new disabled parking bay for three cars at Delta Gain, Carpenders Park;

(2)that the amended Order be confirmed if no objections were received; and

(3)that a further report be considered by the Panel and the Executive Committee on objections received.

HE.PP50/06CHORLEYWOOD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Members considered a request from the Chorleywood Business Association for funding to refurbish the Christmas Lights in Lower Road. In order for the decorations to work they would require separate wiring and sockets to be installed on each lamp post.

The Panel was concerned that funding would be taken from the highways improvements budget. Members were of the opinion that funding should not be provided from the highways improvement budget and suggested that the Association explore the possibility of securing a leisure grant.

Members were concerned that if they gave permission for funding it could set a precedent throughout the District. Members noted that the Highways Authority were unable to provide funding for this scheme.

ACTION AGREED:

that the Panel recommend to the Executive Committee that subject to the Council incurring no maintenance charges a request for a grant from Chorleywood Business Association towards the refurbishment of the Christmas lights be considered from alternative funding sources.

HE.PP51/06NIGHTINGALE ROAD AND CEDARS AVENUE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

The Panel received a report to approve the Conservation Area Appraisal for public consultation. The Council was required to prepare proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas in accordance with the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment). As Cedars Avenue adjoins Nightingale Road and there are similarities in the character of the two Nightingale Road Conservation Areas, it was considered appropriate to prepare one appraisal for the three areas.

ACTION AGREED:

Recommendation to Executive Committee:

that the Nightingale Road and Cedars Avenue Conservation Area draft appraisal document be approved for public consultation and that a further report be presented to the Panel and to Committee with the results of consultation.

HE.PP52/06M25 WIDENING DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Members received a report on the Draft Environmental Statement and the implications for Three Rivers of M25 widening. Members made the following comments:

  • Road drainage was a concern and the Highways Agency must ensure that flooding could not arise from heavy rainfall.
  • Requested that the scheme be designed to avoid any chance of flood exacerbation in adjoining urban and rural areas; prevent pollution through run off and prevent any flooding within or beyond the carriageway itself.
  • The Environment Agency, British Waterways and other relevant bodies must comment in depth on these issues.
  • Although the road surface area would be contained within the current boundaries of the M25 concern that the remaining area of soft landscaping would be significantly reduced;
  • No compensation would be paid for loss of land as the scheme proposed was within the current M25 boundaries.
  • No justification had been provided on why the scheme was required;
  • Residents in Maple Cross had been promised a tree planning and landscaping scheme when the motorway was constructed but this had not materialised;
  • Alternative transport requirements had not been considered;

Councillor Peter Wakeling suggested that an additional recommendation be added that a consultation process be established between the Highways Agency and the Council to ensure full dialogue takes place as the work progresses.

ACTION AGREED:

Recommendation to Executive Committee:

(1)that the Highways agency be requested to make a presentation to this Council on the widening proposal at the earliest opportunity;

(2)that this Council’s response to the Draft Environmental Statement be based on the comments set out in the report; and

(3)that a consultation process be set up between the Highways Agency and the Council so that Councillors are informed of any problems and difficulties as they arise.

HE.PP53/06EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: -

“that under Section100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph (3 and 4) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.”

HE.PP54/06DIRECTORATE REORGANISATION

The report set out proposals for the staff restructuring within the Corporate Resources and Housing and Health Directorates to provide improved accountability and effectiveness and prepare for potential stock transfer.

Members noted the proposed reorganisation and the new lines of communication between surveying and housing repairs.

ACTION AGREED

(1)that the Panel supports the proposed reorganisation proposals and recommends them to the Executive Committee for approval;

(2)that the Executive Committee determine whether to include additional years of service as set out in paragraph 8.4;

(3)that public access to the report be denied until the issue was resolved; and

(4)that public access to the decision be denied until Council agenda publication.

HE.PP55/06TRANSFER OF LAND AND PROPERTIES AT GADEVIEWGARDENS UPDATE

Members were asked to recommend to the Executive Committee the transfer of land and properties at GadeViewGardens to Warden Housing Association.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)that the Executive Committee approve the selection of Warden Housing Association to purchase and regenerate the Gade View gardens estate;

(2)that the Executive Committee approve that the Director of Housing & Health agrees the sale price for this site in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Resources, and that they are authorised to accept no less than £1,636,300 plus interest for the sale of the land;

(3)that Public access to the report be denied until the issue is resolved; and

(4)that Public access to the decision be denied until publication of the Executive Committee minutes.

CHAIRMAN

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