EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL NOTES OF A MEETING OF ... · Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel...
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1 EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL NOTES OF A MEETING OF HOUSING SCRUTINY STANDING PANEL HELD ON THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2007 IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, CIVIC OFFICES, HIGH STREET, EPPING AT 5.35 - 8.25 PM Members Present: S Murray (Chairman), Mrs R Gadsby (Vice-Chairman), K Angold- Stephens, K Chana, Mrs H Harding, Mrs J Lea, Mrs P Richardson, Mrs P K Rush, J Wyatt and Mrs M Carter (Epping Forest Tenants and Leasholders Federation) Other members present: Apologies for Absence: Mrs P Brooks Officers Present A Hall (Director of Housing), R Wilson (Assistant Head of Housing Services (Operations)), S Devine (Environmental Health Officer), Mrs S Lindsay (Housing Resources Manager), S Stranders (Principal Team Leader), L Swan (PSH Policy & CARE Manager), H Thorpe (Housing Assets Manager) and A Hendry (Democratic Services Officer) Also in attendance: 1. SUBSITUTE MEMBERS (COUNCIL MINUTE 39 - 23.7.02) The Panel noted that there were no substitute members. 2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS The Panel noted that there were no declarations of interest. 3. MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING - 30 APRIL 2007 The minutes from the last meeting were noted and agreed. 4. TERMS OF REFERENCE / WORK PROGRAMME The Terms of Reference and the Work Programme were noted. The Director of Housing amended item 3 of the work programme, the progress report on Decent Homes was to be given at the March 2008 meeting and not the 2007 meeting. The meeting also noted that it was thought appropriate that the Review of the Careline Service be considered by this Panel before it went to the Portfolio Holder, this would be brought to the Panel at a later date. 5. PRESENTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION PLANS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING AND EMPTY PROPERTY STRATEGIES The Principal Team Leader from Environmental Services introduced the presentation on the Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy and the Empty Property Strategy 2007-09. The presentation was given in turn by the Principal Team Leader, the
Transcript of EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL NOTES OF A MEETING OF ... · Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel...
1
EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL NOTES OF A MEETING OF HOUSING SCRUTINY STANDING PANEL
HELD ON THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2007 IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, CIVIC OFFICES, HIGH STREET, EPPING
AT 5.35 - 8.25 PM
Members Present:
S Murray (Chairman), Mrs R Gadsby (Vice-Chairman), K Angold-Stephens, K Chana, Mrs H Harding, Mrs J Lea, Mrs P Richardson, Mrs P K Rush, J Wyatt and Mrs M Carter (Epping Forest Tenants and Leasholders Federation)
Other members present:
Apologies for Absence:
Mrs P Brooks
Officers Present A Hall (Director of Housing), R Wilson (Assistant Head of Housing
Services (Operations)), S Devine (Environmental Health Officer), Mrs S Lindsay (Housing Resources Manager), S Stranders (Principal Team Leader), L Swan (PSH Policy & CARE Manager), H Thorpe (Housing Assets Manager) and A Hendry (Democratic Services Officer)
Also in attendance:
1. SUBSITUTE MEMBERS (COUNCIL MINUTE 39 - 23.7.02)
The Panel noted that there were no substitute members.
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS The Panel noted that there were no declarations of interest.
3. MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING - 30 APRIL 2007 The minutes from the last meeting were noted and agreed.
4. TERMS OF REFERENCE / WORK PROGRAMME The Terms of Reference and the Work Programme were noted. The Director of Housing amended item 3 of the work programme, the progress report on Decent Homes was to be given at the March 2008 meeting and not the 2007 meeting. The meeting also noted that it was thought appropriate that the Review of the Careline Service be considered by this Panel before it went to the Portfolio Holder, this would be brought to the Panel at a later date.
5. PRESENTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION PLANS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING AND EMPTY PROPERTY STRATEGIES The Principal Team Leader from Environmental Services introduced the presentation on the Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy and the Empty Property Strategy 2007-09. The presentation was given in turn by the Principal Team Leader, the
Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel Thursday, 25 October 2007
2
Environmental Health Officer and the Private Sector Housing Policy and CARE Manager. A copy of their presentation is attached to these minutes along with the Empty Property Action Plan and the Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy 2007-09 Action Plan. The Panel noted that the Cabinet agreed to the adoption of the strategies but that their full implementation be delayed until the views of the Housing Scrutiny Panel on the detailed Housing Assistance Policy be sought and pending a review of available resources. The Environmental Health Officer was asked about compulsory purchase orders, and what would happen to someone living in that property when the order is made. She replied that if they were not lawful tenants they would be treated under the same rules as homeless people. Asked about houses left vacant for 6 months or more, even though the owners might be in a protracted moving-in situation, the officer replied that under the scheme the house was technically empty, but really only houses left vacant for about two years or so would be considered. RESOLVED: The Panel thanked the officers for their informative presentation.
6. HOUSING SERVICES STRATEGY ON RENT ARREARS The Assistant Head of Housing introduced the Housing Service Strategy on Rent Arrears. It was noted that:
• The Housing Portfolio Holder has still to approve the strategy; • Item 4.6(d) – it was queried if the Council specified what ‘other steps’ would
be taken to recover the debt incurred. The Assistant Head of Housing said that they did specify before hand (in writing) what the steps were. The ultimate sanction being to take restraint action, but they have never yet had to resort to this;
• Item 8.2 (b) mentions ‘older people’, the Panel would like a definition of what exactly an ‘older’ person is, it was know that they in fact fall into various categories and the Panel would like this definition included;
• Items 8.8 and 8.10 spoke of annual and quarterly rent statements. This was for people in arrears of £100 and over;
• Item 8.16 – housing staff now liased with housing benefit staff (once the applicant has signed a release form);
• Item 8.29 - the Panel were concerned that a three day notification period was too short – it was agreed that this period be reconsidered and extended appropriately.
ACTION: (1) To define the term ‘Older Person’. (2) Item 8.29 - that a three day notification period be reconsidered and extended appropriately.
Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel Thursday, 25 October 2007
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The Assistant Head of Housing was asked if a tenant withheld some of their rent because they thought that they were getting an incomplete service, would the Council insist that they pay it regardless. He replied that they would investigate the circumstances and if the service was not being delivered that they would amend their demands accordingly, however if the service was being delivered then they would treat it as arrears. Asked whether they could pay back any arrears by instalments, the Assistant Head of Housing said yes they could, they were very flexible about it. RESOLVED:
That the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered and endorsed the Housing Service Strategy and Rent Arrears.
7. HOUSING SERVICES STRATEGY ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Assistant Head of Housing introduced Housing Service Strategy on Anti-Social Behaviour. It was noted that:
• There were some changes to be made in respect of changing references to the Head of Housing Services to the Director of Housing;
• Item 8.51 – graffiti removal only refers to Council properties and that this should be clarified.
RESOLVED:
That the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered and endorsed the Housing Service Strategy on Anti-Social Behaviour.
8. HOUSING SERVICES STRATEGY ON ENERGY EFFICENCY The Assistant Housing Maintenance Manager introduced Housing Service Strategy on Energy Efficiency. It was noted that:
• The Government is committed to energy efficiency in housing and so is the Council;
• Council homes must meet the thermal comfort and heating criteria in the Decent Homes Standards by 2010;
• Currently the Council is focusing on the following improvements: Low energy lights, increase in loft insulation to 300mm, cavity wall insulation, boilers changed to grade ‘A’ rated ones and to install double glazing for all windows;
• Currently the Council is in ‘Band D’ of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) Rating and the aim is to increase its rating;
• The Council will be trialing Solar power on one of it’s rural properties that has no access to mains gas;
• The Council is not currently trialing wind turbines as there is currently no government funding for this;
• Item 10.5 – noted that home energy packs are now mandatory for four bedroom properties.
Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel Thursday, 25 October 2007
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RESOLVED:
That the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered and endorsed the Housing Service Strategy on Energy Efficiency.
9. HOUSING STRATAGIES ON TENANT PARTICIPATION AND HOUSING INFORMATION The Housing Resources Manager introduced the Housing Service Strategies on the Tenant Participation service and on Housing Information. These were to replace the existing strategies and take the Council up to 2010. She went through the strategies pointing out the updated sections to that Panel. RESOLVED:
That the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered and endorsed the Housing Service Strategy on Tenant Participation Services and on Housing Information.
10. HOUSING SERVICE STANDARDS 2007/08 The Director of Housing introduced the report on Housing Service Standards for 2007/08. This document brings together all the Housing Service Standards, producing a set of proposed Housing Service Standards that includes associated performance data for 2006/07 where applicable and available. Also attached to the report was the recently reviewed Housing Charter, no changes were proposed. It was noted that:
• The final standards would be published in a booklet format; • The Housing Charter (Appendix 2) has been previously published and
recently at the behest of the Housing Scrutiny Panel, a working group had been set up to update that original document;
• Appendix 3 set out the proposed delivery of standards; • It was suggested and agreed that the standards were reviewed by the Panel
at their July meeting each year; • Some of the standards were not measured as not all the standards needed to
be. • Item G5 (b) the performance number should be 9; • Item G5 (c) the performance number should be changed from 0 to 1; • Private Sector Housing Standards to be reviewed next year; • Item HM10 – the wording to be altered to read “Remove clearly abandoned
and potentially dangerous vehicles from…”; • Item HM13 – to replace ‘X days’ with ‘two weeks’; • Item HM15 is still to have figures put into the performance column; • A further service standard be added to read something like “Housing
Inspectors to randomly inspect work carried out by our contractors”; • Item S1 – the nil figures relate to numbers not tested – the wording to be
amended to make this clearer;
Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel Thursday, 25 October 2007
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• Item S9 – Performance figures to be altered to read – Weekly 45, Fortnightly 71 and Monthly to 532;
• Item HS4 – standard to have ‘10 weeks’ inserted where ‘x’ is at present; • The last bullet point on Appendix 2 to be extended and to check out if the
CRE exists as a separate entity anymore; • The full standards be brought the secretaries attention of the Tenant’s
Association and all EFDC Councillors. ACTION: To check out if the CRE exists as a separate entity anymore RESOLVED:
That the Panel considered and endorsed the draft report to the Housing Portfolio Holder and the accompanying Housing Service Standards, the Housing Charter and the proposed ways of publicity, subject to the comments/amendments noted above.
11. REVIEW OF THE ALLOCATIONS SCHEME
The Assistant Head of Housing introduced the report on the Review of the Housing Allocations Scheme. The Council is legally required to have an Allocations Scheme setting out the procedures for allocating its housing accommodation and making nominations to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). Each year the Cabinet considers the Council’s Allocations Scheme and reviews any changes to it. The Panel considered a report on proposed changes to the Allocations Scheme to take effect from 1 April 2008. It was noted that:
• Under Appendix 1 reference number 8.5 the ‘increase of the amounts of household income plus assets (including savings and property equity) to £200,000’ and not £198,000 as stated;
• The survey of incentives offered by neighbouring authorities was undertaken; • The CAB and the Tenants Federation had been consulted; • The Panel requested that the scheme be expanded to enable it to be offered
to anyone who wished to downsize to any size of property, providing the downsized property is in accordance with their needs;
• The scheme to be publicised more and to write to prospective applicants explaining the incentives;
• A summary of what a S21 Notice is, be added to the reason for changes of Band 1 (c);
• The scheme to be amended to incorporate new DCLG draft changes once they become law.
The Panel wished to express their appreciation to the Assistant Head of Housing for his recent presentation given to all councillors on this scheme. RESOLVED:
(1) That the Scheme be expanded to enable it to be offered to anyone who wished to downsize to any size of property, providing the downsized property is in accordance with their needs; and
Housing Scrutiny Standing Panel Thursday, 25 October 2007
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(2) That the Scrutiny endorses the Review of the Housing Allocations Scheme report prior to consultation with registered social landlords operating in the District.
12. UPDATE ON THE CHOICE BASED LETTING SCHEME
The Assistant Head of Housing updated the meeting on the Choice Based Letting Scheme. He informed the Panel that the scheme should go live week beginning 19 November 2007. All Members will be sent a copy of the housing pack, which will include a scheme user guide. During October and November they are carrying out a lot of consultation work (next week they are due to meet with the CAB). They are due to provide quarterly update on the Harlow Scheme, which has been running the scheme for about three years. There has been an average of 132 expressions of interest per property, 89.2% of which came from the Internet. They were aware of the need not to exclude vulnerable people from the scheme. There will be a quarterly information bulletin set up that will be copied to all members. RESOLVED:
That the updating report was noted, and that further updating reports on the Choice Based Letting Scheme be brought to future meetings.
13. REPORTS TO BE MADE TO THE NEXT MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE The Chairman agreed to report briefly to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee all the reports considered at this meeting.
14. FUTURE MEETINGS The Panel agreed to change the date of the 21 April 2008 meeting to 18 March 2008.
Pri
vate
Secto
rH
ou
sin
gR
en
ew
alS
trate
gy
Em
pty
Pro
pe
rty
Str
ate
gy
2007-2
009
Imp
lem
en
tati
on
an
d
Ac
tio
nP
lan
s
Minute Item 5
Page 7
Ca
bin
et
rep
ort
-1
8D
ec
em
ber
20
06
Re
co
mm
en
de
d
Th
at
the
Pri
va
teS
ecto
rH
ou
sin
ga
nd t
he
Em
pty
Pro
pe
rty
Str
ate
gie
sbe
ad
op
ted
bu
t th
eir
full
imp
lem
en
tati
on
be
de
laye
d:
un
til
•T
he
vie
ws
of
the
Hou
sin
gS
cru
tin
yP
an
elon
the
deta
iled
Ho
usin
g
Assis
tan
ce
Po
licy
be
sou
ght;
an
d
•P
en
din
ga
revie
wo
fa
va
ilable
reso
urc
es.
Th
eH
ou
sin
gA
ssis
tan
ce
Po
licy
isa
de
taile
dsta
tem
ent
of
wha
t fina
ncia
l
assis
tan
ce
will
be
ava
ilable
and
th
econ
ditio
ns
tha
tw
illa
pply
an
dfo
rms
Ap
pe
ndix
Ao
f th
eP
riva
teS
ecto
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ou
sin
gS
tra
teg
y.
Th
eH
ou
sin
gA
ssis
tan
ce
Po
licy
wa
sp
rese
nte
dto
the
HS
SP
on
30/1
/07
.
Backg
rou
nd
Page 8
Backg
rou
nd
Ca
bin
et
rep
ort
-1
2M
arc
h2
00
7
Re
co
mm
en
de
d
•T
ha
t th
eH
ou
sin
gA
ssis
tan
ce
Po
licy
be
ad
op
ted
as
pa
rto
f th
eP
riva
teS
ecto
r
Ho
usin
gS
tra
teg
y;a
nd
tha
ta
pro
gre
ss
rep
ort
be
pre
se
nte
dto
th
eH
ou
sin
g
Scru
tin
yS
tan
din
gP
ane
l12
mo
nth
s f
rom
the
da
teo
fim
ple
me
nta
tio
no
fth
e
Po
licy
or
ale
sse
rp
erio
dif
sig
nific
an
ta
men
dm
en
tsto
the
Po
licy
are
co
nsid
ere
dn
ece
ssa
ry.
Bo
ths
tra
teg
ies
co
nta
ina
nac
tio
n p
lan
–c
op
ies
of
wh
ich
yo
us
ho
uld
ha
ve
infr
on
t o
fyo
u.
Page 9
Pri
vate
Secto
rH
ou
sin
gR
en
ew
alS
trate
gy
Page 10
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
be
do
ne
Ob
jecti
ve
July
2007
Tra
inin
gin
HA
2004 t
obe
on
goin
g
Recru
itm
ent
and t
rain
ing t
o
be
carr
ied
out.
All
sta
ff t
o
be
com
pete
nt
innew
Housin
g A
ct
2004
pro
cedure
s
1.
Adequate
levels
of
appro
priate
ly t
rain
ed
sta
ff
Ac
hie
ve
d:
•N
ew
EH
Ore
cru
ite
dM
arc
h20
07
to
de
alw
ith
man
da
tory
HM
O
licen
sin
g(s
ub
ject
of
pre
vio
us
gro
wth
bid
);
•A
lle
xis
ting
sta
ff t
rain
ed
with
reg
ard
to t
he
De
ce
nt
Ho
me
Sta
nd
ard
an
d
the
ne
wH
ou
sin
gH
aza
rdS
afe
tyR
atin
gS
yste
m–
train
ing
on
go
ing
;
•2
mem
be
rsof
sta
ffle
ft–
ne
wo
ffic
ers
no
win
po
st.
No
tA
ch
ieve
d:
•T
he
recru
itm
en
tof
aP
riva
teS
ecto
rH
ou
sin
gO
ffic
er
(gro
wth
bid
se
cu
red
ino
rde
r to
imp
lem
en
ton
ly t
he
ke
yco
mp
on
ents
of
the
str
ate
gy
an
d
se
cu
reth
euse
of
the
sp
ecific
fun
din
g f
rom
Go
-Ea
stin
respe
ct
of
att
ain
ing
the
De
ce
nt
Ho
mes
Sta
nd
ard
and
mo
vin
gfo
rwa
rdw
ith
dea
ling
with
em
pty
hom
es)
-a
dve
rtou
t th
isw
ee
k.
Page 11
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
be
do
ne
Ob
jecti
ve
June
2007
Septe
mber
2007
Decem
ber
2007
Lic
ensin
gsyste
min
pla
ce
Revie
waft
er
3-
6m
onth
s
toensure
effective
opera
tion,
and t
here
after
annually
Advert
ise
again
aft
er
6
month
sto
ensure
that
all
pote
ntiallic
ensable
pro
pert
ies
are
covere
d
2.
Revie
wof
licensin
g
syste
m f
or
hig
hrisk
Houses
inM
ultip
le
Occupation
(HM
Os)
Ac
hie
ve
d:
•L
icen
sin
gsyste
mis
inpla
ce
;
•F
orm
sh
ave
be
en
se
nt
toall
‘kn
ow
n’lic
ensa
ble
HM
Os;
•In
spe
ctio
ns
ha
ve
com
me
nce
do
no
the
rH
MO
s-
ide
ntifie
deithe
r th
rou
gh
co
mp
lain
tso
ra
sp
art
of
the
HM
Olic
ensin
gre
gim
e.
Page 12
No
tA
ch
ieve
d:
•U
na
ble
to
revie
wlic
en
sin
gsyste
mas
targ
etsug
gests
due
to
insuff
icie
nt
tim
esca
lea
nd
poo
rre
sp
on
ses;
•H
ave
no
tad
ve
rtis
ed
lice
nsin
gre
qu
ire
men
tto
date
–th
isis
inh
an
d -
aim
ing
toad
ve
rtis
ebe
fore
th
ee
nd
of
200
7.
Co
mm
en
ts:
•A
pp
lica
tio
nfo
rms
are
no
tbe
ing
retu
rne
d;
•A
pp
rox
1/3
ofla
nd
lord
sh
ave
info
rme
dth
eC
ou
ncil
tha
tth
ey
will
ch
ang
e
the
use
of
the
pro
pe
rty
so
tha
tit f
alls
ou
tsid
e t
he
ma
nda
tory
lice
nsin
g
req
uire
men
ts;
•M
an
yp
rop
ert
ies
we
be
lieve
dto
be
lice
nsa
ble
are
no
t–
bu
tare
still
co
nsid
ere
dto
be
hig
hrisk
HM
Os
–le
gis
lation
req
uir
es
co
mp
reh
en
siv
e
inspe
ctio
ns
tob
eca
rrie
do
ut,
this
isa
ve
ry t
ime
co
nsu
min
gexe
rcis
e.
Page 13
Wh
at
we
ha
ve
do
ne
•In
spe
ctio
ns
ofh
igh
risk
HM
Os
–im
ple
me
nte
din
pa
rtb
utcu
rre
ntly f
acin
g
reso
urc
eis
su
ed
ue
to
she
er
am
ou
nt
of
wo
rkre
quir
ed
at
the
initia
lsta
ge
an
dco
mp
lex
na
ture
ofn
ew
insp
ectio
nre
gim
e;
•In
spe
ctio
ns
ofP
ark
Ho
me
sites
-im
ple
men
ted
inp
art
–ne
wm
od
el
licen
sin
gsta
nd
ard
still
aw
aite
d f
rom
Go
ve
rnm
en
t;
•O
ffic
ers
wo
rkin
gw
ith
Esse
x F
ire
an
dR
escu
eS
erv
ice
on
fre
eH
om
e
Fir
eS
afe
tyC
heck
Sch
em
e(P
ark
Hom
esites
on
ly);
•O
ffic
ers
wo
rkin
gw
ith
the
HS
Ea
nd
oth
er
Esse
xL
As t
ose
tu
pC
ara
van
Work
ing
Pa
rty
with
reg
ard
to
He
alth
&S
afe
tyo
nth
ese
sites;
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
be
do
ne
Ob
jecti
ve
April2007
Intr
oduce
pro
active
inspections
inadditio
n t
o
reactive
inspections,
focusin
gfirs
ton
hig
hrisk
HM
Os
and P
ark
Hom
e
sites. I
ntr
oduce
pro
cedure
s t
oensure
rigoro
us
response t
o
com
pla
ints
on
private
secto
rhousin
gis
sues.
3.
Anew
syste
matic
appro
ach t
oin
spection
and
enfo
rcem
entin
the
private
secto
r
Page 14
•N
ow
ritt
en
pro
ce
du
res
pe
rse
bu
tall
co
mp
lain
tsa
reb
ein
gp
roce
sse
d
un
de
rth
ere
quir
em
en
tsof
the
Ho
usin
gA
ct
20
04
e.g
.in
sp
ectio
na
nd
en
forc
em
en
tu
nde
r th
ene
wH
ou
sin
gH
ea
lth
and
Sa
fety
Ra
tin
g
Syste
m
Page 15
No
tA
ch
ieve
d:
•L
an
dlo
rds F
oru
m-
had
pla
nned
to
ho
ldin
itia
lm
ee
tin
gin
Se
pte
mb
er
bu
t
this
will
slip
into
20
08
–m
ost
pro
ba
bly
po
st
Ap
ril20
08
wh
en
th
e
restr
uctu
rin
gfina
lise
d.
Wh
at
we
ha
ve
do
ne
toe
ng
ag
ed
wit
hth
e p
riva
tere
nte
dse
cto
r:
•S
en
tou
tqu
estion
nair
es t
oa
llL
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hat
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ect
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myou
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lord
’.
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
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jecti
ve
April2007
Conta
ctknow
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and
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ntion t
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Landlo
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aim
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obje
ctives
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Intr
oduce
Landlo
rds
Foru
m
Page 16
•N
ot
com
ple
ted
all
the
wo
rk
bu
t
•W
ork
ing
pro
ce
du
ree
sta
bli
sh
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pp
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res
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ou
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re p
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ym
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uir
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ee
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da
rd.
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
be
do
ne
Ob
jecti
ve
Consult
&develo
pschem
e
July
2007,im
ple
ment
Septe
mber
2007
Form
alis
elin
ks
with E
ppin
g
Fore
st
Housin
gA
id.
Dis
cuss
with
repre
senta
tives
of
local
landlo
rds
and
volu
nta
ry
agencie
sagre
ed
sta
ndard
s
of
accom
modation
and
managem
ent.
Esta
blis
hpro
cedure
sfo
r
self
assessm
ent/
inspection.
Publis
hadvic
e
tola
ndlo
rds
and
pro
spective t
enants
.Lin
k
with
Deposit
Guara
nte
e
Schem
e.
5.
An
accre
ditation
syste
m
inpart
ners
hip
with
local
landlo
rds
linked
with
Deposit
Guara
nte
e
Schem
e
Page 17
Ac
hie
ve
d:
•S
all
yto
foll
ow
wit
h o
ur
pro
gre
ss
tod
ate
an
d u
pd
ate
yo
uw
ith
reg
ard
toth
eP
LA
CE
Sc
he
me.
Targ
et
Date
Wo
rkto
be
do
ne
Ob
jecti
ve
Adoption
-D
ecem
ber
2006
Majo
rity
ofm
easure
s
imple
mente
d-
Marc
h2007
Form
at
for
Str
ate
gy
has
already
been
appro
ved.
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alS
trate
gy t
obe
appro
ved
and
all
measure
s
imple
mente
d
6.
Adopt E
mpty
Hom
es
Str
ate
gy
Page 18
Em
pty
Pro
pe
rty
Str
ate
gy
Page 19
1.
No
min
ate
ale
ad
off
icer
for
Em
pty
Ho
mes
•A
ch
ieve
d–
bu
toff
ice
r ta
ke
noff
oth
er
priva
tese
cto
r
du
tie
s
Page 20
2.In
form
ati
on
tob
ep
oste
do
nth
eC
ou
ncil
web
sit
ean
dp
ub
lish
ed
in
the
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reste
r
mag
azin
e
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ebsite
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ore
ste
rm
aga
zin
e
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the
rp
ub
licity :
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tio
na
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eek
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n
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ou
ncil
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xle
aflet
Page 21
3a.
Rele
van
tn
on
En
vir
on
men
tal
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hsta
ff
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pty
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mes
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ffh
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nd
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ce
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hey
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ation
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n
Page 22
3b
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ind
ers
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no
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y t
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ualify
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otifica
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out
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Page 23
4.G
o-E
ast
fun
ded
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itia
tive
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en
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b
sta
nd
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pty
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mptie
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igh
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nt
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om
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tere
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Page 24
5.
Co
un
cil
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ucti
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er
6
mo
nth
sem
pty
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ed
ucti
on
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s
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Page 25
6.E
mp
tyH
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nt
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ropert
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ndard
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nt
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ner
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iers
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cost
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work
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toa
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lan
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ond
itio
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py
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itu
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otified
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Page 26
7.In
cre
ased
en
forc
em
en
to
pti
on
s
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om
pu
lso
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ait
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ast
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su
eof
ED
MO
’sre
main
so
uts
tan
din
g
Page 27
So
wh
ere
are
we
at?
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eha
ve
vis
ite
dn
ea
rly
40
0p
rop
ert
ies
from
the
co
un
cil
tax
em
pty
pro
pe
rty
list
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eha
ve
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ort
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ck t
oco
un
cil
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ho
se
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nd
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t
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pty
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ve
wri
tte
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the
ow
ne
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fa
lle
mp
typ
rop
ert
ies
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ea
regiv
ing
info
rma
tio
na
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ad
vic
ea
nd
are
sta
rtin
g
top
rom
ote
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sch
em
es
an
din
ce
ntive
s
Page 28
So
me
data
157
218
375
Octo
ber
2007
128
303
431
Marc
h
2007
483
Octo
ber
2006
<12
month
s
em
pty
>12m
onth
s
em
pty
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l
em
pty
Page 29
An
dto
do
next…
.
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etu
pa
pa
rtn
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aR
esid
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ocia
lL
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rdto
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age
ED
MO
’s
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rio
ritise
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actio
n-
dep
en
din
go
n:
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Le
ngth
oftim
ee
mp
ty
2.
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er
su
bje
ctof
com
pla
int
3.
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nd
itio
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ecton
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mu
nity
4.
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ita
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om
ee
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hou
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gn
ee
d
5.
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ita
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tyfo
rP
LA
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6.
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ve
lop
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bsite
an
dco
un
cil
tax
leafle
t
Page 30
Pri
vate
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rH
ou
sin
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en
ew
alS
trate
gy
Page 31
Me
an
s t
este
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ran
ts f
or
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tere
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led
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ne
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ntia
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ble
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rge
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lde
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cts
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nd
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ple
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gle
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vid
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alin
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lation
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este
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este
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old
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op
le t
oa
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ltip
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all
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gle
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fects
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vid
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alin
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lation
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este
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ran
ts f
or
regis
tere
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Page 32
2007
PO
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PO
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Page 34
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Ma
nd
ato
ryD
isa
ble
dF
acili
ties
Gra
nts
(DF
Gs)
Lim
ited
inte
rest
bu
tu
pta
ke
ha
sbe
en
slo
w.
Go
od
up
take
.
Go
od
up
take
.D
ifficultie
sso
me
tim
es
exp
eri
en
ce
dw
he
re
gra
nts
are
giv
en
to
top
-up
Warm
Fro
nt
Sch
em
e.
No
ch
an
ge
.
On
ea
pplic
atio
nbein
gp
roce
sse
d.
En
quir
ies
and
so
me
inte
rest.
No
enq
uir
ies t
oda
te.
�D
ece
ntH
om
es
Assis
tan
ce
�S
ma
llW
ork
sA
ssis
tance
�T
he
rma
lC
om
fort
Gra
nts
�D
iscre
tion
ary
DF
Gs
�R
elo
ca
tio
nG
rants
�E
mp
tyH
om
es
Gra
nts
�C
on
ve
rsio
nG
ran
ts
2007
PO
LIC
Y
Ma
nd
ato
ryD
isa
ble
dF
acili
ties
Gra
nts
(DF
Gs)
Ma
nd
ato
ryD
isa
ble
dF
acili
ties
Gra
nts
(DF
Gs)
�D
ece
ntH
om
es
Assis
tan
ce
�S
ma
llW
ork
sA
ssis
tance
�T
he
rma
lC
om
fort
Gra
nts
�D
iscre
tion
ary
DF
Gs
�R
elo
ca
tion
Gra
nts
�E
mp
tyH
om
es
Gra
nts
�C
on
ve
rsio
nG
ran
ts
Lim
ited
inte
rest
bu
tu
pta
ke
ha
sbe
en
slo
w.
Go
od
up
take
.
Go
od
up
take
.D
ifficultie
sso
me
tim
es
exp
eri
ence
d
wh
ere
gra
nts
are
giv
en
to
top
-up
Warm
Fro
nt
Sch
em
e.
No
ch
an
ge
.
On
ea
pplic
atio
nbein
gp
roce
sse
d.
En
quir
ies
and
so
me
inte
rest.
No
enq
uir
ies t
oda
te.
Page 35
ISS
UE
S
�In
cre
ase
dem
ph
asis
on
en
forc
ing
sta
nd
ard
so
no
wn
er-
occup
iers
.
�T
he
Dece
nt
Ho
me
sS
tand
ard
.
�T
he
PS
A7
ta
rge
t.
�E
ncou
ragin
gp
eop
le t
ore
lea
se
eq
uity.
�In
cre
ase
dem
ph
asis
on
en
forc
ing
sta
nd
ard
so
no
wn
er-
occup
iers
.
�T
he
Dece
nt
Ho
me
sS
tand
ard
.
�T
he
PS
A7
ta
rge
t.
�E
ncou
ragin
gp
eop
le t
ore
lea
se
eq
uity.
Page 36
TO
OL
S
En
co
ura
gem
en
t
Mo
nit
or
an
dR
evie
w
Tim
e
Pu
bli
cit
yP
ub
lic
ity
Tim
e
Mo
nit
or
an
dR
evie
w
En
co
ura
gem
en
t
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Ins
um
mary
•T
oo
ea
rly
inth
ep
roce
ss
tosa
yif
am
end
men
ts t
oth
eH
ou
sin
gA
ssis
tan
ce
Po
licy
are
co
nsid
ere
dn
ece
ssary
;
•N
ew
gra
nts
reg
ime
an
din
sp
ectio
na
nd
en
forc
em
en
tre
qu
ire
me
nts
of
the
Ho
usin
gA
ct
20
04
ha
ve
ha
dsig
nific
an
tim
pacto
nth
ew
ay
inw
hic
hw
ew
ork
an
don
ava
ilable
resou
rce
s;
•D
ue
to
va
rio
us
dela
ys
we
ha
ve
on
lyju
sta
dve
rtis
ed f
or
the
new
gra
nts
offic
er
-th
ish
as
slo
we
d t
he
gra
nts
pro
cess
do
wn
,o
the
rsta
ffre
sou
rce
sh
ave
be
en
use
d t
o t
ryan
dp
lug
the
gap
an
dw
eh
ave
bee
nu
nab
leto
fully
‘se
ll’ou
rn
ew
reg
ime
;
•H
MO
lice
nsin
gve
ryslo
w;
•P
riva
teS
ecto
rH
ou
sin
gS
tra
teg
ies
and
su
ppo
rtin
gdo
cum
en
tsn
ee
dto
be
fin
alis
ed
,a
malg
am
ate
da
nd
pla
ce
do
nth
ecou
ncil’
sw
eb
site
;
•P
roce
du
res
nee
dto
be
fo
rma
lise
d;
•N
ee
d t
oim
pro
ve
ou
rsyste
ms
for
mon
ito
rin
gcom
plia
nce
with
th
eD
ece
nt
Ho
me
sS
tand
ard
;
•G
rea
ter
en
gag
em
en
tin
the
priva
tesecto
rre
quir
ed.
Page 40
Ins
um
mary
•P
.L.A
.C.E
.co
ntr
actn
ow
sig
ned
up
by
all
pa
rtie
sw
ith
EF
DC
pla
yin
ga
sig
nific
ant
pa
rtin
th
ep
rocess
•U
p t
oda
ted
ata
base
on
Em
pty
Pro
pe
rtie
sa
nd
va
stim
pro
ve
me
nt
on
me
etin
g
ou
rB
VP
I;
•G
rea
ter
un
de
rsta
nd
ing
of
ou
rE
mp
tyP
rope
rtie
san
da
sso
cia
ted
pro
ble
ms;
•M
ost
ob
jective
sm
eto
nth
eE
mp
tyP
rope
rty
Str
ate
gy
an
dg
oo
dp
rog
ress
with
oth
ers
;
•N
ew
gra
nt
reg
ime
has
bee
nin
tro
du
ce
d;
•L
ea
fle
tsa
nd
pro
ced
ure
sa
va
ilab
lefo
ra
ll th
ene
w t
yp
es
ofg
ran
ts;
•T
he
ne
wra
ng
eof
gra
nts
(despite
the
po
tentialn
ee
dfo
rso
me
am
en
dm
en
ts
in t
he
fu
ture
)a
rem
ee
tin
g t
he
ne
eds
ofo
ur
resid
en
ts;
•In
spe
ctio
ns
are
bein
gca
rrie
do
ut
on
Pa
rkH
om
es,O
ffic
ers
are
wo
rkin
gw
ith
the
Fire
Au
tho
rity
on
Fre
eH
om
eS
afe
tyche
cks,a
nd
with
the
HS
E/L
As
re
Ca
rava
nW
ork
ing
Pa
rty;
•A
llin
spe
ctio
ns
be
ing
ca
rrie
dou
tu
nd
er
the
ne
wm
ore
co
mp
lex
HH
SR
S;
•O
ur
HM
Os
are
bein
gb
oug
htup
to
sta
nd
ard
–gu
ida
nce
pro
du
ce
d f
or
ten
ants
of
HM
Os;
Page 41
InS
um
ma
ry
Re
min
de
r–
Th
at
the
Priva
teS
ecto
rH
ou
sin
ga
nd
the
Em
pty
Pro
pe
rty
Str
ate
gie
sb
ea
dop
ted
but
the
irfu
llim
ple
me
nta
tio
n b
ed
ela
ye
dpe
ndin
ga
revie
wo
favaila
ble
reso
urc
es.
Th
eim
ple
me
nta
tion
ofth
en
ew
gra
nts
regim
e,
the
PL
AC
Ein
itia
tive
an
doth
er
wo
rko
ne
mp
typ
rop
ert
ies, th
ein
tro
du
ctio
no
fth
ere
quir
em
en
tso
fth
eH
ou
sin
g
Act
200
4,in
clu
din
g t
he
ma
ndato
rylic
en
sin
go
fH
MO
sa
nd
the
ne
wsyste
mo
f
inspe
ctio
na
nd
enfo
rce
me
ntha
sbe
en
excitin
ga
nd
cha
llen
gin
gb
ut,
as
pre
dic
ted
,is
cu
rre
ntly
str
etc
hin
ge
xis
tin
gsta
ffre
so
urc
es.
Th
ere
isstill
alo
to
f
wo
rk t
ob
ed
one
and
oth
er
pri
va
tese
cto
rho
usin
gis
sue
sto
be
ad
dre
sse
d.
My t
ha
nks
tobo
thL
yn
dsa
ya
nd
Sa
llyw
ho
ha
ve
wo
rked
excep
tio
na
llyha
rdin
imp
lem
en
tin
gth
eS
tra
teg
ies
an
d t
he
necessa
rych
an
ges
toth
ew
ay
inw
hic
h
we
wo
rkin
ord
er
tom
ee
tth
ene
wp
rovis
ions
of th
eH
ousin
gA
ct
200
4.
Are
vie
wo
f th
ew
ork
ca
rrie
dou
t to
da
te,
oth
er
ou
tsta
nd
ing
priva
tese
cto
r
ho
usin
gm
att
ers
and
ava
ilable
reso
urc
es
isre
qu
ire
d.
Th
e t
ea
mlo
oks f
orw
ard
to
wo
rkin
gw
ith
Ala
na
nd
oth
er
off
icers
of
Hou
sin
g
Se
rvic
es
ne
xt
ye
ar
with
avie
w t
oco
ntin
uin
gth
eg
ood
wo
rk t
ha
th
as
be
en
ach
ieve
dso
far
and
to
imp
rove
ou
rp
riva
tesecto
rh
ousin
gfu
nctio
ns.
Page 42
Em
pty
Pro
pert
ies:
Page 43
Page 44
This page is intentionally left blank
Page
1 o
f 2
Empt
y Pr
oper
ty S
trat
egy
2007
– 2
009
Act
ion
Plan
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
Dat
e In
dica
tor(
s) o
f Out
com
e A
chie
ved/
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
1. N
omin
ated
Lea
d O
ffice
r for
Em
pty
Hom
es
Hig
h R
ecru
it ad
ditio
nal
staf
f to
E
nviro
nmen
tal H
ealth
gro
up.
Add
ition
al s
taffi
ng c
osts
£1
9,00
0.
Dec
embe
r 200
6 A
dditi
onal
sta
ff in
pla
ce a
nd L
ead
Offi
cer n
omin
ated
.
2. In
form
atio
n to
be
post
ed o
n C
ounc
il w
ebsi
te a
nd p
ublis
hed
in th
e Fo
rest
er
mag
azin
e
Hig
h D
raft
web
pag
e an
d lin
ks.
Dra
ft ar
ticle
for F
ores
ter m
agaz
ine.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r Env
ironm
enta
l P
rote
ctio
n, R
esid
entia
l C
ontro
l Uni
t /IT
sta
ff.
Dec
embe
r 200
6
Mar
ch 2
007
Web
pag
es a
cces
sibl
e an
d ar
ticle
pub
lishe
d.
3. R
elev
ant n
on
Env
ironm
enta
l Hea
lth
staf
f to
repo
rt em
pty
hom
es
Hig
h A
ll re
leva
nt s
taff
to b
e in
form
ed o
f ne
w S
trate
gy a
nd im
porta
nce
of
repo
rting
pro
blem
em
pty
hom
es.
Rep
ortin
g ar
rang
emen
ts to
be
clea
r.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r, E
nviro
nmen
tal P
rote
ctio
n,
Res
iden
tial C
ontro
l Uni
t.
Febr
uary
200
7 Al
l sta
ff no
tifie
d.
3. F
inde
r’s F
ee
Sche
me
M
ediu
m
New
pro
cedu
res
incl
udin
g va
lidat
ion
of le
tting
per
iod,
pub
licis
ing
sche
me
£5,0
00 p
er a
nnum
sta
rting
20
06/0
7, ti
me
from
E
nviro
nmen
tal H
ealth
gro
up
staf
f and
Hou
sing
sta
ff.
April
200
7 Fi
nder
’s F
ee S
chem
e pr
oced
ures
in p
lace
and
pu
blic
ised
.
4. G
O-E
ast f
unde
d in
itiat
ive
for
reno
vatio
n of
su
bsta
ndar
d em
pty
hom
es (i
n pa
rtner
ship
w
ith 4
oth
er lo
cal
auth
oriti
es)
Med
ium
/
Long
C
ompl
ete
tend
erin
g fo
r con
tract
ors
to c
arry
out
reno
vatio
n w
orks
, agr
ee
wor
king
arra
ngem
ents
with
par
tner
s,
agre
e le
asin
g an
d no
min
atio
n ar
rang
emen
ts, s
elec
t and
reno
vate
fir
st p
rope
rties
.
Cap
ital f
undi
ng p
rovi
ded
by
succ
essf
ul b
id to
GO
-Eas
t.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r and
R
esid
entia
l Con
trol U
nit
staf
f.
Dec
embe
r 200
7 Fi
rst p
rope
rties
reno
vate
d an
d le
t to
nom
inat
ed
tena
nts.
5 Cou
ncil
Tax
redu
ctio
n to
50%
afte
r 6 m
onth
s em
pty,
redu
ced
to 0
%
afte
r 12
mon
ths
empt
y.
Med
ium
A
ltera
tion
of p
roce
dure
s, p
ublic
ity fo
r ch
ange
d ar
rang
emen
ts, C
ounc
il ta
x de
man
ds fo
r rev
ised
am
ount
s fro
m
April
200
7.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Fin
ance
st
aff.
A
pril
2007
N
ew d
isco
unt a
rrang
emen
ts in
pla
ce.
Page 45
Page
2 o
f 2
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
Dat
e In
dica
tor(
s) o
f Out
com
e A
chie
ved/
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
6. E
mpt
y H
omes
G
rant
s H
igh
Intro
duce
pro
cedu
res
and
docu
men
tatio
n to
impl
emen
t new
gr
ant.
Pub
licis
e av
aila
bilit
y.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r and
R
esid
entia
l Con
trol U
nit.
Apr
il 20
07
Gra
nt p
roce
dure
s, d
ocum
enta
tion
and
leaf
lets
in
trodu
ced.
7. I
ncre
ased
en
forc
emen
t opt
ions
H
igh
Gui
delin
es a
nd p
roce
dure
s de
velo
ped
for a
dditi
onal
en
forc
emen
t opt
ions
(par
t don
e)
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r. Ap
ril 2
007
N
ew g
uida
nce
and
proc
edur
es in
pla
ce, s
taff
able
to
use
addi
tiona
l opt
ions
in a
ppro
pria
te c
ircum
stan
ces
(par
t in
plac
e)
Page 46
Page
1 o
f 4
Priv
ate
Sect
or H
ousi
ng R
enew
al S
trat
egy
2007
– 2
009
Act
ion
Plan
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Link
s to
Oth
er
Stra
tegi
es /
Legi
slat
ion
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
D
ate
Indi
cato
r(s)
of O
utco
me
Ach
ieve
d/Pe
rfor
man
ce
Mea
sure
INSP
ECTI
ON
AN
D E
NFO
RC
EMEN
T
1. A
dequ
ate
leve
ls o
f ap
prop
riate
ly tr
aine
d st
aff.
Hig
h C
orpo
rate
B
VP
P
Priv
ate
Sec
tor
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
Rec
ruitm
ent a
nd tr
aini
ng to
be
carri
ed
out.
All
staf
f to
be c
ompe
tent
in n
ew
Hou
sing
Act
200
4 pr
oced
ures
.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r. P
rovi
sion
for
the
cost
of a
dditi
onal
pos
t (s
).
July
200
7
Trai
ning
in
Hou
sing
Act
20
04 d
utie
s to
be
on
goin
g
Sat
isfa
ctor
y pe
rform
ance
of t
he
Cou
ncil’
s pr
ivat
e se
ctor
hou
sing
re
spon
sibi
litie
s (e
nfor
cem
ent
and
deliv
ery
of fi
nanc
ial
assi
stan
ce)
Uni
t sta
ffed
to n
ew
esta
blis
hmen
t. S
taff
effe
ctiv
ely
train
ed.
2. R
evie
w o
f lic
ensi
ng
syst
em fo
r hig
h ris
k H
MO
s
Hig
h N
atio
nal
Hou
sing
Act
200
4,
Lice
nsin
g of
Hou
ses
in M
ultip
le
Occ
upat
ion
Reg
ulat
ions
200
6
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
Lice
nsin
g sy
stem
in p
lace
. R
evie
w
afte
r thr
ee m
onth
s an
d si
x m
onth
s to
en
sure
effe
ctiv
e op
erat
ion,
and
th
erea
fter a
nnua
lly.
Adv
ertis
e ag
ain
afte
r six
mon
ths
to e
nsur
e th
at a
ll po
tent
ial l
icen
sabl
e pr
oper
ties
are
cove
red.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r Res
iden
tial
Con
trol U
nit
June
200
7
Sep
tem
ber
2007
Dec
embe
r 20
07
All
high
er ri
sk H
MO
s ar
e lic
ense
d an
d al
l sta
tuto
ry
oblig
atio
ns m
et
Lice
nsab
le H
MO
s re
gula
rly
mon
itore
d
3. A
new
sys
tem
atic
ap
proa
ch to
insp
ectio
n an
d en
forc
emen
t in
the
priv
ate
sect
or
Med
ium
N
atio
nal
Hou
sing
Act
200
4
Reg
iona
l R
egio
nal H
ousi
ng
Polic
y C
orpo
rate
H
ousi
ng S
trate
gy
Intro
duce
pro
activ
e in
spec
tions
in
addi
tion
to re
activ
e in
spec
tions
, fo
cusi
ng fi
rst o
n hi
gh ri
sk H
MO
s an
d pa
rk h
ome
site
s. I
ntro
duce
pro
cedu
res
to e
nsur
e rig
orou
s re
spon
se to
co
mpl
aint
s on
priv
ate
sect
or h
ousi
ng
issu
es.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Res
iden
tial
Con
trol U
nit
Apr
il 20
07
Insp
ectio
n re
gim
e es
tabl
ishe
d an
d op
erat
ing
incl
udin
g pl
anne
d in
spec
tion
prog
ram
me
park
ho
me
site
s
Page 47
Page
2 o
f 4
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Link
s to
Oth
er
Stra
tegi
es /
Legi
slat
ion
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
D
ate
Indi
cato
r(s)
of O
utco
me
Ach
ieve
d/Pe
rfor
man
ce
Mea
sure
4. I
ntro
duce
Lan
dlor
ds
Foru
m
Med
ium
N
atio
nal
Hou
sing
Act
200
4
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
H
omel
essn
ess
Stra
tegy
Con
tact
kno
wn
land
lord
s an
d re
pres
enta
tives
, adv
ertis
e in
tent
ion
to
set u
p La
ndlo
rds
Foru
m, h
old
initi
al
mee
ting
to a
gree
aim
s &
obj
ectiv
es a
nd
cons
titut
ion.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r Res
iden
tial
Con
trol U
nit.
Ser
vici
ng
cost
s.
April
200
7 La
ndlo
rds
Foru
m e
stab
lishe
d an
d op
erat
ing
satis
fact
orily
5. A
n ac
cred
itatio
n sy
stem
in p
artn
ersh
ip w
ith
loca
l lan
dlor
ds li
nked
with
D
epos
it G
uara
ntee
Sc
hem
e
Med
ium
N
atio
nal
DC
LG G
uida
nce
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
H
omel
essn
ess
Stra
tegy
Form
alis
e lin
ks w
ith E
ppin
g Fo
rest
H
ousi
ng A
id.
Dis
cuss
with
re
pres
enta
tives
of l
ocal
land
lord
s an
d vo
lunt
ary
agen
cies
agr
eed
stan
dard
s of
acc
omm
odat
ion
and
man
agem
ent.
E
stab
lish
proc
edur
es fo
r sel
f as
sess
men
t/ins
pect
ion.
Pub
lish
advi
ce
to la
ndlo
rds
and
pros
pect
ive
tena
nts.
Li
nk w
ith D
epos
it G
uara
ntee
Sch
eme.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r &
Res
iden
tial
Con
trol U
nit.
Ser
vici
ng
cost
s
Con
sult
&
deve
lop
sche
me
July
20
07
Impl
emen
t S
epte
mbe
r 20
07
Laun
ch. A
dvic
e le
afle
ts a
vaila
ble
for p
rosp
ectiv
e te
nant
s.
Sta
ndar
ds fo
r HM
O a
nd n
on-
HM
O a
ccom
mod
atio
n es
tabl
ishe
d an
d ag
reed
. P
roce
dure
s in
pla
ce fo
r in
spec
tion
/ ass
essm
ent,
advi
sing
pro
spec
tive
tena
nts
and
links
with
Dep
osit
Gua
rant
ee
Sch
eme.
6. A
dopt
Em
pty
Hom
es
Stra
tegy
H
igh
Nat
iona
l H
ousi
ng A
ct 2
004,
D
CLG
Gui
danc
e R
egio
nal
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy
Cor
pora
te
Cor
pora
te p
lan
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
H
omel
essn
ess
Stra
tegy
B
VP
I 64
Form
at fo
r Stra
tegy
has
alre
ady
been
ap
prov
ed.
Form
al S
trate
gy to
be
appr
oved
and
all
mea
sure
s im
plem
ente
d
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r & R
esid
entia
l C
ontro
l Uni
t. C
ontin
uing
co
mm
itmen
t fro
m c
apita
l pr
ogra
mm
e to
Em
pty
Hom
es L
oans
(inc
lude
d in
al
loca
tion
in 9
bel
ow.)
Ado
ptio
n -
Dec
embe
r 20
06
Maj
ority
of
mea
sure
s im
pl’d
- M
arch
200
7
Em
pty
Hom
es S
trate
gy
publ
ishe
d an
d w
orki
ng
proc
edur
es d
evel
oped
.
Targ
et n
umbe
r of p
rope
rties
id
entif
ied
for f
irst y
ear.
Page 48
Page
3 o
f 4
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Link
s to
Oth
er
Stra
tegi
es /
Legi
slat
ion
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
D
ate
Indi
cato
r(s)
of O
utco
me
Ach
ieve
d/Pe
rfor
man
ce
Mea
sure
FIN
AN
CIA
L A
SSIS
TAN
CE
7. C
hang
es to
Hom
e R
epai
r Ass
ista
nce,
R
enov
atio
n G
rant
s an
d D
iscr
etio
nary
DFG
s
Hig
h N
atio
nal
DC
LG G
uida
nce
R
egio
nal
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
Am
end
exis
ting
gran
t pro
cedu
res
and
docu
men
tatio
n to
impl
emen
t rev
ised
gr
ant s
yste
m.
Incr
ease
d ca
pita
l allo
catio
n of
£10
0k. T
ime
inpu
t fro
m
Prin
cipa
l Tea
m L
eade
r &
Res
iden
tial C
ontro
l Uni
t.
Apr
il 20
07
Gra
nt p
roce
dure
s,
docu
men
tatio
n an
d le
afle
ts
adap
ted
to re
flect
revi
sed
gran
ts.
Cha
nges
not
ified
pub
licly
.
8. I
ntro
duce
The
rmal
C
omfo
rt G
rant
s, E
mpt
y H
omes
Gra
nts
and
Con
vers
ion
Gra
nts
Hig
h N
atio
nal
Hou
sing
Act
200
4
Reg
iona
l
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy
Cor
pora
te
BV
PP
, Com
mun
ity
Stra
tegy
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
H
omel
essn
ess
Stra
tegy
Intro
duce
pro
cedu
res
and
docu
men
tatio
n to
impl
emen
t new
gra
nt
stru
ctur
e
Ann
ual c
apita
l allo
catio
n of
£1
50k.
Inp
ut o
f tim
e fro
m
Prin
cipa
l Tea
m L
eade
r R
esid
entia
l Con
trol U
nit.
Apr
il 20
07
Gra
nt p
roce
dure
s,
docu
men
tatio
n an
d le
afle
ts
intro
duce
d.
Cha
nges
not
ified
pub
licly
.
9. F
orm
ulat
e an
ag
reem
ent w
ith a
sp
ecia
list f
inan
cial
pr
ovid
er to
offe
r a ra
nge
of e
quity
rele
ase
and
sim
ilar f
inan
cial
pa
ckag
es.
Med
ium
N
atio
nal
DC
LG G
uida
nce,
Fo
unda
tions
Rev
iew
R
egio
nal
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy
Sub
regi
onal
H
ousi
ng S
trate
gy
Supp
ortin
g Pe
ople
S
trate
gy
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
To b
e de
velo
ped
with
oth
er L
ondo
n C
omm
uter
Bel
t Sub
Reg
ion
auth
oriti
es
or o
ther
par
tner
aut
horit
ies.
Und
erta
ke n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith s
peci
alis
t ag
enci
es o
ver f
inan
cial
pro
duct
av
aila
bilit
y an
d in
vest
men
t req
uire
d.
Neg
otia
te a
nd fi
nalis
e ag
reem
ent.
Res
ourc
es to
be
iden
tifie
d in
fu
ture
cap
ital p
rogr
amm
es
for C
ounc
il co
ntrib
utio
n to
fin
anci
al p
rovi
der.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Tea
m
Lead
er.
Mid
200
8 R
esou
rces
iden
tifie
d in
cap
ital
prog
ram
mes
.
Agr
eem
ent w
ith s
peci
alis
t fin
anci
al p
rovi
der i
n pl
ace.
Page 49
Page
4 o
f 4
Obj
ectiv
e Pr
iorit
y
Link
s to
Oth
er
Stra
tegi
es /
Legi
slat
ion
Wor
k to
be
Don
e R
esou
rces
Req
uire
d Ta
rget
D
ate
Indi
cato
r(s)
of O
utco
me
Ach
ieve
d/Pe
rfor
man
ce
Mea
sure
10. D
evel
op a
nd b
ring
into
use
pro
cedu
res
for
faci
litat
ing
equi
ty re
leas
e.
Med
ium
N
atio
nal
DC
LG G
uida
nce
R
egio
nal
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy S
uppo
rting
P
eopl
e S
trate
gy
Cor
pora
te
Hou
sing
Stra
tegy
E
ppin
g Fo
rest
Loc
al
Supp
ortin
g Pe
ople
S
trate
gy
Dev
elop
men
t of p
rinci
ples
and
pr
oced
ures
for t
he n
ew a
ppro
ach
to
givi
ng fi
nanc
ial a
ssis
tanc
e un
derta
ken
in c
onsu
ltatio
n w
ith a
ll st
akeh
olde
rs.
Res
ourc
es to
be
iden
tifie
d in
fu
ture
cap
ital p
rogr
amm
es
for C
ounc
il co
ntrib
utio
n to
eq
uity
rele
ase
sche
me.
Ti
me
inpu
t fro
m P
rinci
pal
Team
Lea
der
Late
200
8 R
esou
rces
iden
tifie
d in
cap
ital
prog
ram
mes
. P
rinci
ples
and
pr
oced
ures
for e
quity
rele
ase
sche
me
esta
blis
hed
and
serv
ice
agre
emen
ts in
pla
ce w
ith a
ll ag
enci
es.
Wor
king
pro
cedu
res,
do
cum
enta
tion
and
leaf
lets
for
equi
ty re
leas
e sc
hem
e co
mpl
eted
.
Cha
nges
not
ified
pub
licly
.
GEN
ERA
L
11.
Incr
ease
aw
aren
ess
of b
oth
new
app
roac
hes
to e
nfor
cem
ent a
nd to
of
ferin
g fin
anci
al
assi
stan
ce.
Hig
h N
atio
nal
DC
LG G
uida
nce
R
egio
nal
Reg
iona
l Hou
sing
S
trate
gy C
orpo
rate
H
ousi
ng S
trate
gy
BV
PP
Prep
are
new
info
rmat
ion
leaf
lets
and
di
strib
ute
to C
ounc
il of
fices
and
to
volu
ntar
y ag
enci
es.
Upd
ate
web
site
. A
dvis
e La
ndlo
rds
Foru
m.
Mak
e pr
ess
rele
ase.
Tim
e in
put f
rom
Prin
cipa
l Te
am L
eade
r & R
esid
entia
l C
ontro
l Uni
t C
ost o
f pu
blic
ity m
ater
ials
.
June
200
7 N
ew le
afle
ts d
istri
bute
d, w
ebsi
te
upda
ted,
pre
ss re
leas
e m
ade
and
Land
lord
s Fo
rum
adv
ised
.
Page 50
