Issue - meetings

Housing Portfolio

To consider report DCE/08 of the Deputy Chief Executive, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 28 June 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves that for all Crawley Homes tenancies, to replicate the protections for evictions as set out in the Coronavirus Act 2020, until 31 May 2022.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The recommendation recognises the scale of economic hardship being faced by the town as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent financial hardship this will cause for many local households. It is widely recognised that Crawley has been harder hit than most other places in the country and the administration therefore believes that additional protection is required.

Whilst the Council does not have the ability to legislate for the town as a whole, it is able to make decisions around tenancies within its own housing units. This decision would therefore extend these protections for Crawley Homes residents for a further 12 months beyond that set out in the Coronavirus Act 2020. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented report DCE/08of the Deputy Chief Executive.  The report sought approval to replicate the protections provided by the Coronavirus Act 2020 for Crawley Homes stock for a further 12 months, following the economic impact of Covid-19 upon Crawley, and the potential of further economic and social impact upon the town.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 28 June 2021, which included that the rent arrears were currently at a similar level to those at the commencement of the pandemic and it was hoped with the end of furlough that this level will not increase dramatically.

Councillor Crow was invited to speak on the item and raised some concerns on the proposal.

Councillors Lamb, Jhans, and C Mullins spoke as part of the discussion on the report, as did Councillor Fiveash who spoke passionately over why he was a strong advocate for the further extension of the eviction protection.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet agrees that, for all Crawley Homes tenancies, to replicate the protections for evictions as set out in the Coronavirus Act 2020, until 31 May 2022.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The recommendation recognises the scale of economic hardship being faced by the town as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent financial hardship this will cause for many local households.  It is widely recognised that Crawley has been harder hit than most other places in the country and the administration therefore believes that additional protection is required.

Whilst the Council does not have the ability to legislate for the town as a whole, it is able to make decisions around tenancies within its own housing units.  This decision would therefore extend these protections for Crawley Homes residents for a further 12 months beyond that set out in the Coronavirus Act 2020. 

To consider report DCE/08 of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Commission considered report DCE/08 of the Deputy Chief Executive. The report sought approval to replicate the protections provided by the Coronavirus Act 2020 for Crawley Homes stock for a further 12 months, following the economic impact of Covid-19 upon Crawley, and the potential of further economic and social impact upon the town.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Deputy Chief Executive, the following comments were made:

·        Recognition that the Coronavirus Act 2020 had provided protection to social and private tenants by delaying when landlords could evict tenants. These initial protections came to an end after 31 May 2021 and nationally these extended notice periods were being tapered off over time. Maintaining the protections for evictions as stated in the Act until 31 May 2022 would provide added protection.

·        Acknowledgement that provisions remained in place to administer evictions in more severe cases (anti-social behaviour, criminal acts). It was noted there were other council services in place to effectively assist and deal with the serious cases.  This was in addition to providing and signposting support to those in most need, and this included council tenants and the private sector.

·        It was noted that the rent arrears were currently at a similar level to those at the commencement of the pandemic.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.