Agenda item

East Kent Housing Update

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (East Kent Housing).

 

Minutes:

The Chief Executive (East Kent Housing) presented the Compliance Report for East Kent Housing to the Committee. She also introduced the interim Director of Property Services to the Committee.

The Compliance Report covered both communal blocks and domestic properties and reported the following levels of compliance:

Communal Properties

  • Gas – 100.00%
  • Asbestos – 72.34%
  • Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICRs) – 35.29%
  • Passenger Lifts – 100.00%
  • Fire Alarms – 100.00%
  • Legionella Risk Assessment – 100.00%
  • Emergency Lighting – 100.00%

 

In respect of Asbestos, the historic data had now been downloaded and 89% of the downloaded data has been uploaded to the new portal. The remainder would take approximately one month to complete. The contractor (PA Group) had completed approximately 48.86% of asbestos management surveys (129 of 264 completed since April) and would be up to date by the end of the financial year. EKH operated a ‘no touch’ policy in place where no asbestos was held.

In respect of Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) there were 1444 outstanding actions ranging from trivial to substantial. The work on these was due to commence in December 2019. It was noted that several materials were in high demand and had a lead in time accordingly associated with them. EKH was providing the Council with a delivery programme that was being reviewed weekly.

Members were advised that all communal fire alarms had been serviced and tested.

There were 438 outstanding Water Hygiene Actions (WHA) although all properties (excluding Norman Tailyour House which only went into occupation in November) had current legionella risk assessments. 

 

Domestic Properties

  • Gas (LGSRs) – 99.95%
  • Asbestos – 29.50%
  • Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICRs) – 13.95%
  • Smoke Detectors – 88.75%

The Committee noted with dissatisfaction that there had been no significant progress in respect of EICRs. Members were advised that discussions were on-going between EKH and the Council as to the best way to accelerate completion of the EICR programme.

In respect of fire alarms, the Committee was advised that the Council was legally compliant but not meeting best practice standards were not being met. 

Capital Programme 2019/20 Update

Members were advised that, as at 31 October 2019, the forecast spend against budget was 98% (£3,326,990 against a budget of £3,375,000). However, a number of risks existed around matters such as weather, contractor performance, procurement delays and scope of works which meant that the final outturn was likely to be lower (c.80%).

In respect of a question from Councillor C A Vinson, the Chief Executive (East Kent Housing) stated that the variation in performance over previous years was due to each year involving different areas and contracts. In previous years contracts had been in the process of being renewed whereas for this year they were already in place.

Councillor C A Vinson expressed concern that consistent underspending could lead to asset deterioration and the Committee was advised that EKH only had a stock condition survey in place for 30% of its properties. However, 99% of the stock met the Decent Homes Standard.

In response to a question from Councillor S H Beer it was stated that there was a backlog of referrals from the Health Service for disabled adaptations.

Councillor L A Keen requested an update on Environmental Improvement Programme works to a future meeting.

Members acknowledged the progress that had been made in some areas of compliance but requested that the Committee continue to receive updates as there had been a lack of significant progress in areas as EICRs.

RESOLVED:     That East Kent Housing be requested to provide the following information:

(a)          An update on the stock condition;

(b)          Information on the maintenance programme for communal floor coverings;

(c)          An update to the next meeting on the Environmental Improvement Programme;

(d)          A breakdown of the ‘moderate’ fire risks including the actions being taken and the timeframe for resolution;

(e)          An update on the actions being taken in respect of EICRs and asbestos in domestic properties; and

(f)           That the next edition of the Compliance Report include trend indicators with the figures.

 

(Councillor T A Bond declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in Minute No. 71 (East Kent Housing Update) by reason of his position as a Director of East Kent Housing to which he was appointed by the Council and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

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