Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Services is attached.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, which provided Members with an overview of the activity that has taken place since November with regards to the transfer of the management and maintenance of Council housing to direct control by the local authority. He thanked Councillor Cummins and the team of officers across Six Town Housing, the STH Board, as well as Cath Farrell in particular, for the hard work and decision making throughout this process.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the new Director of Housing post would be interim for the time being but the intention for this was to be a permanent position. With regards to keeping the Six Town Housing name, this was to retain the properties owned by the company and the brand would be phased out appropriately in order to manage associated costs. Members welcomed the role of Scrutiny moving forwards, ensuring greater Member involvement and oversight of matters.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Noted the work undertaken since the last update to Cabinet in November 2023;

2.    Noted the outcomes of the staff consultation which took place between 13^th November and 13^th December 2023;

3.    Agreed that, whilst in practical terms services will become integrated from 15^th January as previously agreed, the legal transfer of housing management functions and TUPE of Six Town Housing staff will take effect from 1^st February 2024 following TUPE consultation feedback from staff;

4.    Noted the post transfer governance arrangements for housing management post 1^st February 2024;

5.    Agreed that, in the first instance, line management of all current Six Town Housing functions and staff will report to the new Director of Housing Operations post in the Council’s Corporate Core under the leadership of the Executive Director (Strategy and Transformation). The five pillar delivery model described to Cabinet in November remains the overall aspiration for Housing Services, however, the revised proposal will ensure a ‘safe landing’ for housing functions and staff and a phased approach for transition to any future model; and

6.    Agreed that the company Six Town Housing will be retained with revised governance arrangements.

Reasons for the decision:

The recommendations made reflect both staff feedback through the TUPE consultation process and the continued progress of both the Six Town Housing Improvement Programme and joint work in preparation for transfer.

Other options considered and rejected:

Failure to make the changes set out would not show due regard for staff feedback through the consultation process and potentially would present risks to the effective delivery of housing functions post transfer.