Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman David Graves, Deputy Henry Jones, Deputy Catherine McGuinness, Dhruv Patel and Elizabeth Rogula.

Mr Gareth Moore declared an interest in housing matters as a tenant of Golden Lane Estate.

To approve the public minutes and summary of the meeting on 14 July 2015.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 14 July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Right to Buy Social Mobility Fund

Officers advised that five applications had been received.

Technology

Officers reported that IS were now progressing the Resident Communications and Engagement systems.

Almshouses

Officers advised the review of Charitable Objects and re-examination of the Risk Register had been delayed owing to staff turnover, but were due to be progressed for the next meeting.

Verbal report of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The Sub Committee received a presentation from Simon Smith from the Chartered Institute of Housing regarding the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), a ring-fenced account for the landlord-related income and expenditure for the Housing Stock. Mr Smith gave an overview of the history of the Account and detailed the Corporation’s financial position, which was relatively positive as compared with London-based Local Authorities. Members discussed the impact High Value Voids and Pay to Stay initiatives being proposed would have on the business plan, and noted that the City of London Corporation had repaid the self-financing debt.

The Chairman thanked Mr Smith for his presentation.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which presented the fifth Annual Report for Tenants.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services providing the latest information on the welfare reforms. Members discussed the difficulty residents faced from payments being in arrears, and officers advised of a consultation being launched to all City residents from October regarding the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding revisions made to the Housing Allocation Scheme for 2015. Members discussed the changes, and noted the large demand on the housing waiting list for studio flats.

RESOLVED – That the revised City of London Corporation Housing Allocation Scheme be noted, and recommended to the Community & Children’s Services Committee for approval.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the allocation of flats in Horace Jones House.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which presented the details and potential impact of the proposed extension of the Right to Buy policy that the government had communicated to date. Members noted that studio flats were not covered by these proposals, and officers agreed to take these observations and comments back to the Programme Board.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

The Chairman reminded Members about the Residents’ Celebration day on 17^th October, and advised that officers would circulate further details electronically.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the 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 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                                                                                         Paragraph

13-14                                                                                       3

15-16                                                                                       -

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2015.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2015 be approved as a correct record.  

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.