Agenda item

9.1

This report seeks approval from the Housing Policy Committee to implement a new Housing Repairs Policy.

The Council’s Tenancy Conditions set out in basic detail the types of repairs that the Council will be responsible for as the landlord of Sheffield City Council’s housing stock. The Repairs Policy explains in more detail the types of repairs that Sheffield City Council will not be responsible for, and which we expect tenants to be responsible for.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     notes the outcomes of the consultation undertaken as part of the Repairs Policy Review, as described in this report;

2.     approves the new Housing Repairs Policy as described in Appendix 3 of this report;

3.     notes that the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, will draft and publish a concise information sheet for tenants which is a more accessible summary of the information contained in the new Housing Repairs Policy and which clearly outlines both tenant and Council responsibilities;

4.     notes that the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, will undertake a review of information available to tenants on our website to ensure that this is consistent with the new Housing Repairs Policy; and

5.     notes that awareness training will be provided for officers in our housing and repairs service, and colleagues in the call centre, on the different responsibilities outlined in the new policy to ensure that tenants receive clear and correct advice on repairs.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The proposed Housing Repairs Policy addresses issues with the current policy as explained in 1.3.

9.3.2

The proposed policy will benefit staff and tenants as it sets out clearly the responsibilities for conducting repairs in Sheffield City Council’s housing stock.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The current Housing Repairs Policy could be maintained. However, as noted in 1.3 there are issues with the current policy that the proposed policy seeks to address.

9.1

The Director of Direct Services presented a report that sought approval to implement a new Housing Repairs Policy. The Repairs Policy explained in detail the types of repairs that Sheffield City Council would not be responsible for, and which tenants were expected to be responsible for.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     notes the outcomes of the consultation undertaken as part of the Repairs Policy Review, as described in this report;

2.     approves the new Housing Repairs Policy as described in Appendix 3 of this report;

3.     notes that the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, will draft and publish a concise information sheet for tenants which is a more accessible summary of the information contained in the new Housing Repairs Policy and which clearly outlines both tenant and Council responsibilities;

4.     notes that the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, will undertake a review of information available to tenants on our website to ensure that this is consistent with the new Housing Repairs Policy; and

5.     notes that awareness training will be provided for officers in our housing and repairs service, and colleagues in the call centre, on the different responsibilities outlined in the new policy to ensure that tenants receive clear and correct advice on repairs.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The proposed Housing Repairs Policy addresses issues with the current policy as explained in 1.3.

9.3.2

The proposed policy will benefit staff and tenants as it sets out clearly the responsibilities for conducting repairs in Sheffield City Council’s housing stock.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The current Housing Repairs Policy could be maintained. However, as noted in 1.3 there are issues with the current policy that the proposed policy seeks to address.