Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached. 

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions. 

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1. 

1.  Door mats in Council Blocks

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur 

Can the Cabinet Member confirm the Council’s zero tolerance approach to our tenants having door mats in all our Council blocks was a decision made by this Council and not a statutory requirement?

Answer

A variety of non-statutory measures have been made to ensure our Council homes are at the highest possible fire safety standards, which included the exclusion on all items (including doormats) in some communal areas and walkways.

During the review period of this policy it became apparent that a blanket approach to all council blocks types was not appropriate which has led to the creation of a more flexible approach. 

2.  Zero tolerance on door mats in Council blocks

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

Does the Cabinet Member accept the impact this policy has had on our tenants and residents?

Answer

Fire safety is a top priority for this council, and with that have comes many improvements; however, I empathise with all residents, including our tenants in our council homes, wanting to make where they live more homely and practical for them.

The majority of tenants I have been in contact with understand and accept the reasons why fire safety measures, including no items in communal area or walkways, have been made to their blocks. Some tenants have raised concerns with appropriate measures for their specific block types, which has formed part of the review process. 

3.  Managed Policy approach to door mats in Council blocks

Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

Will the Cabinet Member now adopt a “managed policy” approach to door mats across the City, which ensure fire safety is a top priority whilst balancing this with our tenants and residents provide in their community?

Answer

This Council has made enormous strides in ensuring our council homes are at the highest possible fire safety standards, as recognised by HFRS.

As I have mentioned to tenants directly and raised in this chamber previously, a review towards a more flexible approach has been on-going.

Once completed I will discuss with officers what our approach should be for each block type and we will inform tenants and members accordingly.

4. Pledge to build 1000 Council homes

Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

Can the Cabinet Member confirm how many of the pledge to build 1000 Council owned homes, made in summer 2018 and to be delivered in 5 years of that date, have been delivered or are in the pipeline?

Answer

Since summer 2018, 72 council owned homes have been delivered, 99 are under construction for completion in 2020 and subject to approval today a further 103 will be on site this year. 

So in total so far there have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26