Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Cabinet considered a report recommending the introduction of a new service charge to cover the cost of two full time, dedicated Housing Response Officer’s to enhance the service to the 6 tower blocks. For 2022/23 this charge is proposed to be £2.56 per week.
Cabinet agreed the following:
1. To approve the introduction of an additional service charge to the tenants and leaseholders of the 6 tower blocks in the district, to enable the provision of 2 x HRO’s dedicated solely to the tower block estates;
2. To recommend to full council that the necessary budget is approved for this service, funded from the new service charge.
More resources are required to improve the cleanliness and appearance of our tower blocks. This can be achieved by creating two new HRO roles within the TLS structure. To finance the two new roles, it was recommended that the council introduce an additional service charge to the tenants and leaseholders of these blocks.
Not providing the proposed dedicated service was considered. This was rejected as cleanliness and appearance of the council’s tower blocks is an issue regularly raised by residents. These cannot be approved without the proposed additional resources.
Not introducing a new charge was considered. This was rejected as without an additional service charge there would be insufficient resources within the council’s Housing Revenue Account to fund the new service, without making corresponding cuts in the level of resources elsewhere.
Report author: Sally O'Sullivan
Publication date: 20/12/2021
Date of decision: 16/12/2021
Decided at meeting: 16/12/2021 - Cabinet
Effective from: 05/01/2022
Accompanying Documents: