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Agenda item

To consider the Annual Report of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

Minutes:

(a)        The Annual Report of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG) for 2014-2015 was submitted. Reference was made to the Transfer Agreement, and it was noted that it was required for them to note how they had realised the promises made to tenants in the Offer Document and implemented the obligations under the Transfer Agreement. Attention was drawn to some specific matters:

 

·       167 (98.8%) of the promises within the "Your Home, Your Choice" Offer Document had been successfully delivered since the end of March 2015. It was noted that CCG continued to prioritise local jobs ensuring that the expenditure was circulated locally. At the end of March 2015, 257 were employed on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) improvement programme across all service providers. As WHQS’ work flow and improvement programme drew to a close, it was noted that Service Provider staffing levels were decreasing and as a result the number of apprentices and trainees was reducing.

 

·       CCG had previously won the Association of Consultant Architects Innovation and Partnering award (2013), and the Outstanding Contribution award in the National Procurement Awards (2014). Following that, it had been praised for the way that local businesses and people had benefitted from the jobs and apprenticeships created. In 2015, it received an award from Wales National Procurement.

 

·       Since CCG's inception and up to March 2015, 180 community projects had benefited from grants (a total of £975,699) through CCG's Community Investment Fund with additional investment of £5.6M secured through match funding.

 

·       CCG’s emphasis was changing. Over the past five years, the emphasis had been on ensuring that the association's stock complied with the standard, and this remained a definite commitment. By now, the business’ direction was changing, and the Corporate Plan 2015/20 had been formed outlining the strategy and aspirations for the next five years. Welfare reform would affect tenants, and consideration had to be given to the provision that would be offered.

 

·       The business continued to grow in order to ensure long-term viability - new developments in Maesgeirchen and Pwllheli together with achieving the target in the provision of affordable homes and investigating new sources of income. Although the expenditure would reduce from this year onwards, CCG would continue to invest and circulate funding within the County.

 

·       Elements of collaboration with large companies and sub-contracting arrangements caused some concerns, but CCG continued to work through this.

 

·       Continued to consult with tenants to include customers in everything it did.

 

·       As a result of the change in emphasis, the relationship with the Council was changing from a monitoring perspective.

 

(b)       During the discussion, the following observations were made:

 

                 i.       CCG was congratulated on its success in receiving a Wales National Procurement award and on its positive report. It was thanked for the success of the community fund and its willingness to improve the mixed property estates.

 

                ii.       New developments were approved, but it was necessary to secure more units for older people as well as one-bedroom units. In response, it was noted that CCG was aware of the increase in the number of older people and of the clear statistics which evidenced the emphasis on keeping older people in their homes - the matter had already been discussed at the Housing Partnership and therefore the housing associations were collaborating to respond to the demand and to ensure that the developments were in the right locations.

 

               iii.       The standard of kitchens, for example, was likely to decline at the same time and therefore it was foreseen that further investment would be needed in approximately 15 years. In response, it was noted that this had been considered in the business plan.

 

               iv.       Request to strengthen the local members' and the District Council's links with local wardens in terms of sharing information. In response, it was noted that the Elected Member Protocol ensured the flow of information in one direction, with every enquiry and response being appropriately recorded. It was stated that establishing one point of contact had provided professional aspect to the procedure. In terms of contacting wardens, it was highlighted that this was not effective as the warden tended to be out in the field all day. It was also highlighted that a Members Champion had been purposefully appointed to share information. Members were reminded that the member protocol was effective and Gethin and the team were congratulated on their timely information and responses.

 

                v.       In terms of housing sales it was noted that the average had reduced to between 5 and 7 houses being sold annually. It was noted that the Government had an intention to reduce the discount from £16,000 to £8,000 which would make the process less appealing for the tenant. The ‘Right to Buy’ initiative was ongoing, with an eligibility period of having lived in the property for two years prior to making an application. According to the Westminster Government, it was an aspiration, for every house sold that another should be built in its place, but it appeared as though Welsh Government had made a robust commitment to abolish the 'Right to Buy' project.

 

               vi.       In response to a Member’s request for information to share with tenants in terms of who received priority, it was noted that requests were managed by the Housing Options Team with good collaboration with the Housing Services. It was also highlighted that Information Security had to be respected, and therefore information on tenants could not be shared. The work that members did to mitigate situations was appreciated.

 

              vii.       In response to a comment noting disappointment that CCG had appointed two non-Welsh speaking senior officers and the ill-feeling that had been created as a result, it was highlighted that it was not an easy decision. It was noted that there had been recruitment problems and that they had sought to respond to the situation. CCG’s work towards the Welsh language continued, but as a business it was necessary to ensure that the right people were in the right posts and therefore this was a priority.

 

             viii.       In response to an observation regarding improving collaboration arrangements in terms of the Empty Housing situation, it was noted that empty housing was a financial problem for CCG and therefore if local members could support CCG by promoting empty housing it would be very grateful.

 

               ix.       In terms of land ownership, it was highlighted that CCG would contact local members.

 

                x.       In terms of a changing relationship, it was highlighted that the members would like to see the relationship continuing between the Council and CCG as the collaboration was beneficial. An initial suggestion was made that it would be possible to hold an annual discussion at the Communities Scrutiny Committee to discuss / scrutinise the work of all housing associations that provided houses in Gwynedd.

 

Everyone was thanked for their contribution to the debate and representatives from Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd were thanked for attending the meeting. The report was accepted.

 

 

 

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