Agendas, reports and minutes

A hybrid meeting of the Housing and Property Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 31 August 2022 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

BUSINESS

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 30 June 2022 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Housing and Property Committee.

4. Highland Small Communities Housing Trust
Urras Taigheadais Choimhearsnachdan Beaga na Gàidhealtachd

The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust is a registered charity set up to help rural communities secure long term solutions to their local housing needs.    They represent a wide range of interests including communities, local government, landowners, crofters and housing associations, and are funded by the Scottish Government and various charitable trusts and foundations. 

The Committee is asked to nominate two Members to represent the Highland Council on the Highland Small Communities Trust.

5. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget: Final Outturn 2021/22 and Monitoring Statement to 30 June 2022 
Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Buidseat Neo-Theachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2021/22 agus Aithris Sgrùdaidh gu 30 Ògmhios 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/06/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:

i.  note the final outturn figures for the Housing Revenue Account and non-Housing Revenue Account 2021/22, including the use and movement in reserves; and
ii. approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account and non-Housing Revenue Account 2022/23 for the period to 30 June 2022.

6. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Monitoring: Outturn Report for 2021/22 and Quarter 1 Monitoring Report to 30 June 2022
Sgrùdadh Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Aithisg Fìor Shuidheachaidh airson 2021/22 agus Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Cairteal 1 gu 30 Ògmhios 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/07/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:

i.  note the final outturn figures for the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2021/22; and
ii. approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2022/23 for the period to 30 June 2022.

7. Property & Facilities Management Services Revenue Budget: Final Outturn for 2021/22 and Monitoring Statement to 30 June 2022 
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Sheirbheisean Seilbh & Ghoireasan: Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach airson 2021/22 agus Aithris Sgrùdaidh gu 30 Ògmhios 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/08/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to note:

i.   the revenue outturn position for the 2021/22 financial year;
ii.  that based on the best available information to date, a service budget gap of £1.261m to the end of 2022/23 is presently forecast;
iii. that the budget gap may change positively or negatively depending on the application of expenditure and recruitment controls, filling fee earning posts in an extremely challenging job market, adjusting services to meet previously agreed budget savings; in-year income recovery, identifying new income and procurement opportunities, and any new Covid related recovery costs;
iv.  the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery; and
v.   that further adjustments will be made in future quarterly reporting to reflect the updated apportionment of costs across the new Service structure.

8. Property Capital Monitoring Statement and Progress Update
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Calpa Seilbhe agus Cunntas às Ùr air Adhartas

There is circulated Report No HP/09/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the:-

i.   final position for the 2021/22 financial year;
ii.  the position for the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, and the estimated year-end position; and
iii. progress made with the projects referred to in the report.

9. Draft Directorate Service Plan 2022/23
Plana Seirbheis Taigheadais is Seilbhe 2022/23

There is circulated Report No HP/10/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  comment on the draft Directorate Service Plan for 2022/23; and
ii. note that the draft Plan will be subject to review following the approval of a new Council Programme and Corporate Plan and completion of development work outlined in section 5 of the report.

10. Annual Assurance Statement to the Scottish Housing Regulator
Aithris Bharantachaidh Bhliadhnail gu Riaghladair Taigheadais na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No HP/11/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  approve the Annual Assurance Statement for 2022 detailed at Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. note that a Tenant Engagement Update will be provided to the next meeting of the Committee on 17 November 2022.

11. Annual Monitoring Report 2021/2022: Highland Housing Register 
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail 2021/2022: Clàr Taigheadais na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No HP/12/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the:

i.  information contained in the Annual Monitoring Report on housing allocations which demonstrates that the policy is achieving its objectives; and
ii. main issues being considered as part of the Highland Housing Register Allocation Policy review which will be reported to a future Committee.

12. Housing Performance Report 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais 1 Giblean 2021 – 31 Màrt 2022

There is circulated Report No HP/13/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022; and
ii. agree to fund additional support to assist tenants directly with specialist, independent energy advice and access to financial support as described in paragraph 7.10 of the report.  The cost of £80,000 would be met from within the existing Housing Revenue Account budget.    PP.80-85