Democracy in Crawley

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Crawley Homes Additional Staffing Requirement

Meeting: 25/09/2019 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Crawley Homes Additional Staffing Requirements pdf icon PDF 270 KB

Housing Portfolio

 

To consider report CH/186 of the Head of Crawley Homes, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 23 September 2019.

Minutes:

The Committee considered report CH/186 of the Head of Crawley Homes. The report was summarised by the Housing Portfolio Holder who explained that the introduction of Universal Credit has caused an increased workload for Crawley Homes Housing Officers, and that there was a necessity for further posts to be created in order to provide efficient collection of rent. It was noted that a change from the original recommendation (two additional posts with a further four) was to become four additional posts with a further two. Further posts were also required in the Cleaning and Clearance Team due to the number of new flats built and needing cleaning services, as well as a recommendation to increase funding for the Older Persons Services Team in order to offset funding cuts from West Sussex County Council. The Cabinet further noted the bid for additional requirements due to be made through the Budget Advisory Group in the future.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report were presented to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 23 September 2019. The Cabinet discussed Universal Credit and the issues surrounding its introduction, including an extended waiting period for receiving benefit payments. Members agreed that the new positions were necessary to assist with offsetting this and offered their empathy to those affected, as well as their appreciation to housing staff who had been under pressure. It was also noted that the Council had previously lost information regarding those in receipt of housing benefits during the national switch to Universal Credit.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Cabinet:

 

a)    Approves four FTE additional posts of Housing Officer immediately with the provision of two further FTE posts to enable efficient rent collection following changes relating to Universal Credit. To delegate the appointment of the further four posts to the Head of Crawley Homes in consultation with the Head of Finance, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leader of the Council.

 

b)    Approves an additional 1 FTE post in the Cleaning and Clearance team to provide cleaning services to new build flats.

 

c)    Approves an increase in funding of £13,500 for the Older Persons Services Team following the removal of the grant funding from WSCC as outlined in paragraph 6.1.5 of report CH/186.

 

d)    Notes that a bid will also be made through the Budget Advisory Group for an additional resource to manage increased requirements on fire risk management, and for additional cleaning requirements at Bridgefield House, Three Bridges when this scheme is handed over in 2020. This will be additional to the posts identified in report CH/186.

 

e)    Requests Full Council to agree the additional budget of £265,500 per annum for the additional posts required in the 2019/20 budget (pro rata), and additional one off setting up costs as outlined in report CH/186.

 

Reasons for the Recommendations:

 

1)    Welfare reform and the introduction of Universal Credit (UC) have meant a significant increase in volume of work within the housing management team and additional Housing Officer posts are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6


Meeting: 23/09/2019 - Overview and Scrutiny Commission (Item 5)

5 Crawley Homes Additional Staffing Requirements pdf icon PDF 270 KB

To consider report CH/186 of the Head of Crawley Homes.

Minutes:

The Commission considered report CH/186 with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Head of Crawley Homes.  The report sought agreement for additional staffing within Crawley Homes owing to additional work created by Universal Credit, the approach to fire safety and adding further flatted properties with a cleaning requirement.

 

Councillors made the following comments:

·        It was noted that part of recommendation 2.2a within report CH/186 would be amended as follows (changes highlighted in bold): “Approve four FTE additional posts of Housing Officer immediately with the provision of two further FTE posts to enable efficient rent collection following changes relating to Universal Credit…”

·        Acknowledgement that staff receive full training to assist customers. Officers work to facilitate engagement with those in need to identify and resolve issues, as it was recognised that older debts were more difficult to remedy.

·        Recognition that currently were was not a timescale for the full rollout for Universal Credit.  It was envisaged that the additional posts would be fulltime posts, however it was acknowledged that there was a natural turnover of the workforce and vacant posts would be reviewed as the roll-out of the scheme progressed.

·        Acknowledgement that whilst jobs change, it was important that arrears were kept to a minimum as much as possible. 

·        Clarification was provided as each neighbourhood patch and the number of properties.

·        Further information was obtained as to early intervention together with the sanctions that could be applied for those tenants that did not keep to their agreements.

·        Confirmation was provided that the Older Persons Service was focused on those in need and tailored to meeting individual needs.

·        It was discussed that it would be beneficial for Councillors to gain further experience from staff ‘first hand’.  An option was proposed for an introductory office visit for Councillors.

 

RESOLVED

           That Commission agreed to support the recommendations to the Cabinet.