Pre HACC Forum Meeting Notes 2024
Pre-HACC Forum – 28 Nov 2024
Open to all tenants and TRA representatives
People Present
Councillor Gurpreet Johal (Housing Convener) - chaired meeting
John Kerr (Housing Development & Homelessness Manager)
Jim McCarrone (HRA Business Partner)
Frances McGonagle (Littleholm TRA + WDTRO)
Janette Donlin (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
June Todd (WDTRO)
Mary Paton (Willox Park TRA + WDTRO)
Jane Mack (Snr Housing Development Officer - Tenant Participation)
Apologies
Harry McCormack (Tullichewan TRA + WDTRO)
Jacqui Peacock (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Stefan Kristmanns (Housing Development Co-ordinator)
Martin Feeney (Building Services Manager)
ITEM 8 – Housing & Employability Mid-Year Report
John Kerr advised that report sets out delivery plan and key progress is highlighted. Majority of targets been met and report includes progress against the action plan.
ITEM 9 – Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2025/26-2029/30
John Kerr gave an outline of the paper and tenants were familiar with the SHIP as Jamie Dockery had been at a recent Liaison meeting. Also been extensive consultation with partners and includes their future plans as well as the Council’s. Also includes Buybacks and 2 Housing Associations are also now doing Buybacks to help increase their stock numbers.
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about whether the development at Mount Pleasant was going to be sheltered housing and John confirmed that it wasn’t and was called amenity housing designed for the over 60’s but no warden. Does include design features that will enable properties to easily adapt to people’s changing needs.
ITEM 10 – Affordable Housing Supply Delivery Update
John Kerr gave an outline of the report which gives an update on the new supply of Council housing. He advised that the contractor was starting at Willox Park on Monday 25/11/24.
Key points from discussion
Gurpreet advised that he was corresponding with the Housing Minister about increasing WD’s grant and continuing to pursue and challenge the formula used to allocate funding.
ITEM 11 – Empty Homes Strategy 2024-2029
John advised that WD have a dedicated Empty Homes Officer, and the Strategy includes a target of bringing 125 properties back into use...
ITEM 12 – Housing Emergency Action Plan
John reminded that WDC had declared a housing emergency in May and the report provides an update on the action plan...
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about action 16 which is to consider a fixed term moratorium on non-essential repairs...
ITEM 13 – Housing Repairs Policy
Following consultation, new Repairs policy been developed and looking for Councillor agreement on it...
ITEM 14 – Scottish Social Housing Charter Mid-Year Report
John advised that the report includes updates on performance as well as information on how WDC compares against other landlords...
ITEM 15 – Tenant Participation Strategy 2025-2028
Jane Mack outlined the new strategy been developed following consultation with tenants and staff...
ITEM 16 – Building Services Update
John outlined that the report proposes to contract out the reroofing programme to get better value for money...
Key points from discussion
Questions was asked in relation to value for money if it couldn’t be delivered for reroofing work...
ITEM 17 – HRA Budget Control Report (31 Aug 24)
Jim McCarron highlighted the pressures on the HRA as high interest rates are affecting costs...
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about how the HRA got into a deficit so quickly...
ITEM 18 – General Fund Financial Report (31 Aug 24)
Jim outlined that this update is in relation to services that come under the Housing committee remit out with the HRA...
ITEM 19 – Capital Monitoring Report (31 Aug 24)
Jim explained this Capital spending update - £60m spent each year and key priorities being progressed...
This Forum is open to all tenants and members of Tenant & Residents Associations
The next Pre-HACC Forum will be on Monday 24 February 2025...
Pre-HACC Forum – 19 Aug 2024
Open to all tenants and TRA representatives
Note of meeting at Church Street Council Offices, Dumbarton and on Zoom
People Present
Cllr Gurpreet Johal (Housing Convener) - chaired meeting
John Kerr (Housing Development & Homelessness Manager)
Frances McGonagle (Littleholm TRA + WDTRO)
Janette Donlin (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Jacqui Peacock (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Ruby Wilkins (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Harry McCormack (Tullichewan TRA + WDTRO)
Jane Mack (Snr Housing Development Officer-Tenant Participation)
Jim McCarron (HRA Business Partner)
Scott McLelland (Housing Operations Co-ordinator)
Claire McKay (Housing Development Co-ordinator)
Via Zoom
Stefan Kristmanns (Housing Development Co-ordinator)
Apologies
Mary Paton (Willox Park TA+ WDTRO), June Todd (WDTRO), Councillor Hazel Sorrell (Vice Housing Convener)
Councillor Johal welcomed everyone to the meeting. The reports from the Police and Fire Service were noted but no questions or issues raised.
ITEM 8 – Affordable Housing Supply Delivery Plan
John Kerr gave an outline of the report which gives an update on the new supply of Council housing and the report also includes a request for a procurement exercise to help accelerate the new build programme...
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about the vacant shops at Queens Quay as ground floors still all boarded up...
ITEM 9 – Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan Update
John Kerr gave an outline of the paper and the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) has been extended to a 6 year plan...
ITEM 10 – Scottish Social Housing Charter Annual Update
Stefan Kristmanns gave a summary of the paper which outlines Housing Services performance against the Charter Indicators...
ITEM 11 – Housing Emergency Action Plan
John Kerr set out why a Housing Emergency had been declared and this paper sets out the action plan of how it will be tackled...
ITEM 12 – Mobility Scooter Guidance (Draft)
John Kerr advised that the Guidance had been produced following concerns by the Fire & Rescue Service and the Council’s Fire Risk Officer...
ITEM 13 – Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2014-2027
Scott McLelland advised that the strategy is a legal requirement to have and sets out how the Council, Police and other partners are going to tackle anti-social behaviour...
ITEM 14 – Former Tenant Rent Arrears Write Off – Q1 2024/25
John confirmed that when an arrear is written off, it is reinstated if the person comes back and will get pursued again.
ITEM 15 – Building Services Procurement Update
No one from Building Services present but John Kerr confirmed that the report was to get approval for procurement processes...
ITEM 16 – General Fund Financial Report – Period 3
Jim McCarron outlined the current position of non-housing areas that are funded through the General Fund but come under the eye of the Housing & Communities Committee...
ITEM 17 – HRA Budget Control Report – Period 3
Jim outlined the significant pressures on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Main problem is loan costs and the increase in interest rates...
ITEM 18 – HRA Capital Budget Control Report – Period 3
Jim explained this sets out the Capital side of the budget. A 5-year Capital Budget is set and amounts to £73.66m...
This Forum is open to all tenants and members of Tenant & Residents Associations
The next Pre-HACC Forum will be on Monday 18 November with the Housing Convenor and officers who have written the committee papers.
The papers are available the week before and electronic copies will be sent to all TRA Secretaries, WDTRO members and via TP Facebook page.
Paper copies will also be made available as are usually a lengthy document to read on a small screen - please contact Tenant Participation if you want a paper copy delivered to you.
Pre-HACC Forum – 29 Apr 2024
Open to all tenants and TRA representatives
Note of meeting at Church Street Council Offices, Dumbarton and on Zoom
People Present
Cllr Gurpreet Johal (Housing Convenor) - chaired meeting
John Kerr (Housing Development & Homelessness Manager)
June Todd (WDTRO)
Harry McCormack (Tullichewan TRA + WDTRO)
Jane Mack (Snr Housing Development Officer-Tenant Participation)
Jim McCarron (HRA Business Partner)
Via Zoom
Mary Paton (Willox Park TA+ WDTRO)
Apologies
Frances McGonagle (Littleholm TRA + WDTRO), Janette Donlin (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO), Jacqui Peacock (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Councillor Johal welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for his best wishes to be passed onto Frances who is currently in hospital.
ITEM 8 – Housing & Employability Delivery Plan
John Kerr gave a summary of the report – covers all service areas that report to the HACC and come under Peter Barry...
Key points from discussion
In terms of Greener Fairer revised Capital programme, tenants keen to see tenants being involved in the revised Capital programme and affordability is main concern...
ITEM 9 – Affordable Housing Supply Delivery Programme
John Kerr highlighted the cut to the Affordable Housing Supply funding previously announced has been amended with an additional £80m being offered over 2 years...
Key points from discussion
Question was asked regarding the Willox Park development and when the planning meeting was...
ITEM 10 – Access to Housing
John advised of the unprecedented pressures on housing. Turnover has reduced and that has had an impact on letting activity...
Key points from discussion
No issues raised.
ITEM 11 – HRA Budget Control Report – Period 10
Jim McCarron outlined the acute financial pressures on the HRA but hopeful that these pressures will ease in 24/25...
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about how that will affect the Capital Budget work and Jim confirmed that it would have an impact...
ITEM 12 – General Fund Financial Report – Period 10
Jim confirmed that most of this budget was being managed within budget. Main overspend is in relation to Homeless budget...
Key points from discussion
Question asked about the Housing Asset and Investment listed in Appendix 1 and why there is a saving there...
ITEM 13 – Former Tenant Rent Arrears Write Off – Q4 2023/24
Individual debts over £5000 need approval from committee to be written off and paper sets out the process followed and the criteria...
No issues raised.
This Forum is open to all tenants and members of Tenant & Residents Associations
The next Pre-HACC Forum will be on Monday 19 August with the Housing Convenor and officers who have written the committee papers.
The papers are available the week before and electronic copies will be sent to all TRA Secretaries, WDTRO members and via TP Facebook page.
Paper copies will also be made available as are usually a lengthy document to read on a small screen - please contact Tenant Participation if you want a paper copy delivered to you.
Pre-HACC Forum – 26 Feb 2024
Open to all tenants and TRA representatives
Note of meeting at Church Street Council Offices, Dumbarton and on Zoom
People Present
Cllr Gurpreet Johal (Housing Convenor) - chaired meeting
John Kerr (Housing Development & Homelessness Manager)
June Todd (WDTRO)
Janette Donlin (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Jacqui Peacock (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Mary Paton (Willox Park TA)
Harry McCormack (Tullichewan TRA + WDTRO)
Jane Mack (Snr Housing Development Officer-Tenant Participation)
Jim McCarron (HRA Business Partner)
Via Zoom
Frances McGonagle (Littleholm TRA + WDTRO)
Ana Deevy (Housing Development Officer-Tenant Participation)
Cllr David McBride
Apologies
Cllr Hazel Sorrell (Vice Housing Convener)
Councillor Johal welcomed everyone and advised that Cllr David McBride would join via Zoom for the Willox Park item.
ITEM 7A – Police Scotland Update Q3
Cllr Johal advised that the Police now list all crimes from a single incident, so all figures are up. No issues raised.
ITEM 8 – Affordable Housing Supply Delivery Programme
John Kerr gave a summary of the ongoing new build programme. Bonhill gap site removed from programme as not economical...
Key points from discussion
Questions on affordable housing requirements for developments and Queens Quay site projections were discussed...
ITEM 9 – West Dunbartonshire Buy Back Scheme Policy Review
John advised that the Buy Back policy had been reviewed and updated to strengthen governance...
Key points from discussion
No questions raised.
ITEM 10 – Willox Park Sheltered Housing Complex Options Appraisal
Cllr David McBride joined via Zoom. John advised on 4 options, with Option 3 preferred by 57% of tenants...
Key points from discussion
Discussion included tenant concerns about flats, personalised housing plans, and ensuring tenant choice...
ITEM 11 – HRA Budget Control Report – Period 7
Jim McCarron outlined projected revenue shortfall of £3.37m, capital plan reprofiling of £66.48m, overspend of £4.65m...
Key points from discussion
Questions on EESH compliance and impact on tenants, with confirmation that work will be managed and funds carried forward...
ITEM 12 – General Fund Housing & Communities Financial Report – Period 7
Paper sets out budget position for all Housing & Communities services; small overspend (£284k). No issues raised.
This Forum is open to all tenants and members of Tenant & Residents Associations
The next Pre-HACC Forum will be on Monday 29 April with the Housing Convenor and officers who have written the committee papers.
The papers are available the week before and electronic copies will be sent to all TRA Secretaries, WDTRO members, and via TP Facebook page.
Paper copies will also be made available; please contact Tenant Participation if you want a copy delivered to you.