housing and health portfolio plan 2016/17 - eden district · housing and health portfolio plan to...

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Appendix A - Housing and Health Portfolio Plan 2016-2017- Yearly Monitoring

Housing and Health Portfolio Plan 2016/17

Portfolio Plan Housing and Health

Priority/priorities (general)

Decent Homes for All

Thriving Communities

Quality Council

Priority/priorities (detail)

Providing access to good quality housing that both reflects local need and supports employment

Working in partnership, enabling communities to be active, secure, healthy and connected

Delivering accessible, effective and value for money services

Year 2016 -2017

Portfolio Holder Councillor Mrs Lesley Grisedale

Lead Officer Robert Docherty

This Portfolio Plan is a summary of key activities and priorities for 2016-17 and the resources available to meet them.

Responsibilities and Budget of the Portfolio

Service/Function £ Department Section

Renovation Grants 100690Communities Housing &

Health

Homelessness 234560Communities Housing &

Health

Housing Delivery 216500Communities Housing &

Health

Housing Standards 64690Communities Housing &

Health

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Service/Function £ Department Section

Pest Control 14510Communities Environmental

Services

Health and Safety 17980Communities Environmental

Services

Pollution Control 114560Communities Environmental

Services

Investigation of Nuisances 47560Communities Environmental

Services

Food Safety 226060Communities Environmental

Services

Water Sampling 30420Communities Environmental

Services

Animal Health Licensing 5050Communities Environmental

Services

Community Wardens 131670Communities Environmental

Services

Other Environmental Health 40000Communities Environmental

Services

TOTAL £1244250

Outside Bodies

Cumbria Housing Group

North West Housing Forum

Eden Health Forum

Public Health Alliance

Key Policies and Plans Relevant to this Portfolio

Cumbria Housing Statement

Homelessness Strategy

Housing Assistance Policy

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Housing and Health Statement

Contaminated Land strategy

Environmental Services Enforcement Policy

Food Safety Enforcement Policy

Food Service plan

Air quality strategy

Health and safety service plan

Public toilet policy

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Action Plan - 2016-17 for Housing and Health Portfolio

Objective DH1: Identify and support projects to meet local housing needs, particularly for the young and elderly.

Strategic action Delivery action Target/measure Progress at 30 September 2016

Outturn - progress at 31 March 2017

Reason for any under performance and revised target date

DH1b: Have a clear understanding of housing needs including those of older and younger people so that we can identify gaps in provision. We will publish the findings twice yearly in housing intelligence update reports.

Ensure that available data is analysed to maintain a good understanding of the need for affordable housing across the district.

Undertake research, data analysis and consultation in order to produce an up to date strategy covering the work of the Portfolio.

Produce a new Housing Strategy for Eden.

To produce annual housing market analysis.

To contribute to the production of a new Housing Strategy for Eden.

Evaluation of online surveys undertaken. Paper produced following meeting with section head and Affordable Housing Officer discussing different options. Continuing use of Choice Based Lettings data to produce current housing needs figures.

Commissioned South Lakes Council to undertake a Housing Needs Study in Langwathby. This will allow us to test this as a system to be rolled out across the district. Will also allow consideration of potential commercial opportunities regarding

Evaluation of online surveys undertaken. Paper produced re options development. September 2016.

Continuing use of Choice Based Lettings data to produce current housing needs figures.

Evaluation of online surveys undertaken. Paper produced re options development. September 2016.

New Housing Needs Study Process identified and implemented -Langwathby January 2017.

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this area of work.

Ongoing research as requested to feed into the Housing Strategy (population, employment, house condition, fuel poverty, housing affordability)

Housing Needs Survey closed Friday 17/02/17. Excellent community engagement, with 134 responses (39%). Report finalised March 2017.

Community Housing Fund allocation spending plan includes the delivery of a full Housing Needs Study for the District that will engage with rural communities to properly understand the breadth of housing issues in their areas.

Research to feed into the Housing Strategy (population, employment, house condition, fuel poverty, housing affordability) completed.

Production of a published new Housing Policy

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Statement continued and taken forward into the 2017-2018 Housing and Health Portfolio Plan to allow for a consideration of:

• New Housing Needs Assessment, as detailed above, that will allow for more accurate and robust data to form the basis of new housing strategy.

•The implementation of requirements arising from Central Government’s Housing White Paper - to ensure that an package of housing-related measures are fully considered with the development of the Council’s Housing Strategy.

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Objective DH2: Support housing that is affordable to buy, rent, self-build and live in and bring empty homes back into use.



Reason for any under performance and revised date when target will be met

DH2a: Work with a range of partners to maximise the delivery of high quality affordable housing.

Ongoing delivery of projects funded through Round 1 of the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund.

Delivery of the four projects funded so far through the AHIF

Pategill completed.

•Brent Rd – Eden Housing Association (EHA) aiming to start on site Feb/March 2017.

•Threlkeld –Planning Application with Lake District National Park. EHA aiming to start on site May 2017.

•William St –Planning application submitted.

Development to take place in 2017/18 (must be complete before end March 2018).

Innovation Fund monies required for EHA start on site.

Pategill completed.

•Brent Rd – Eden Housing Association (EHA) now on site – March 2017

•Threlkeld –Planning Application with Lake District National Park. EHA aiming to start on site May 2017.

•William St –Planning application submitted.

Development to take place in 2017/18 (must be complete before end March 2018).

Innovation Fund monies required for EHA start on site.

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Delivery of Round 2 of the AHIF.

To undertake phase 2 of the AHIF as resources permit

Innovation Fund review undertaken and completed. Considered that not best/sustainable scheme due to changes in funding. New scrutiny and approval process approved by Council (September 2016) – allows for projects to be considered on an individual business case. Allows more flexibility, innovation and for the Council to be more proactive.

Work undertaken in the identification and appraisal of projects for the delivery of affordable homes, as per the new process.

Work undertaken in the production of a business case and delivery mechanism (including engagement with Heart of Cumbria Shadow Board) regarding the development of two units Cliburn - presented to Portfolio.

Work currently ongoing with regards to the production of a business plan and potential delivery mechanisms for the Council to undertake direct purchase and provision of affordable homes utilising

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planning obligations. Initial discussions had with several Registered Social Landlords and with a major developer.

Ongoing discussions being undertaken with Eden Housing Association and Cumbria County Council regarding the potential and options for support for the potential build of an Extra Care Facility at a site in Penrith.

Work undertaken to review and identify new schemes to support home buyers within the District, with particular consideration being given to support of Key Workers. Meeting with Penrith Building Society.

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Community Housing Fund - allocation of funding for Community Housing Project. A spending action plan has been developed, for approval, for submission to DCLG in order to access second tranche of funding. A detailed project plan has been developed.

Work with Planning to ensure that new housing developments contain the requirement to deliver affordable homes according to council policy.

To review and refresh the approach for the delivery of affordable housing following

30% affordable homes should be affordable subject to site viability assessment.

Review will be included as part of the development of the new Housing Strategy

Have contributed to Planning Policy's work on the draft Local Plan - provided information for the Local Plan hearings. Also work with Planning (development control) on a regular basis to ensure schemes are delivering the required amount of Affordable

Supported planning in development and scrutiny of affordable housing policy within Local Plan - September 2017. Have contributed to Planning Policy's work on the draft Local Plan - provided information for the Local Plan

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changes to legislation and national policy.

for Eden. Housing. Involved in negotiations with housebuilder on large Penrith site with viability issues - this has now been resolved with the assistance of the Council's external agent (and pending Planning Committee decision). Outcome of Local Plan process will determine what else is to be done regarding Affordable Housing delivery.

Flexible process approach adopted (approved by Council September 2016). Current work underway regarding development of business cases and delivery mechanisms for delivery of affordable homes.

hearings.

Work undertaken with Planning (development control) on a regular basis to ensure schemes are delivering the required amount of AH. Involved in negotiations with house builder on large Penrith site with viability issues - this has now been resolved with the assistance of the Council's external agent (and pending Planning Committee decision).

Appraisal of the recently published (February 2017) of Central Government’s Housing White Paper undertaken in order to fully consider implications.

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DH2b: Work with owners of empty properties to bring them back in to use through our Empty Property Grants and Loans.

Work with owners of empty properties to bring empty homes back in to use, using loans as required.

Deliver the allocation of loans and grants as set out in the capital programme for 2016/17.

Loans and Grants administered as per capital programme.

Future work stream is planned that funding available to return empty properties back in to use could be used more strategically. Commercial considerations.

Loans and Grants administered as per capital programme.

Future work stream is planned that funding available to return empty properties back in to use could be used more strategically. Commercial considerations.

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Action Plan - 2016-17 for Housing and Health PortfolioObjective DH4: Improve housing conditions and enable independent living and affordable warmth through a range of measures, including energy efficiency.




DH4a: Deliver the Housing Assistance Policy in respect of Disabled Facilities Grants and Decent Homes Assistance.

Deliver DFGs as set out in legislation and guidelines and deliver DHA according to council policy.

All cases referred to the council for delivery are fully completed within 6 months

Between 01/04/2016 and September- 13 Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) were approved totalling £64.5k. Within the same period 11 cases were completed totalling £38k. Regarding Decent Homes Assistance (DHA); 4 have been approved totalling £21.6k and £8k of Assistance has been reclaimed

Recruitment is

26 DFGs undertaken in the year

£237,000 spent against an initial budget of £200,000 with the extra spend made up from the increased Better Care Fund Allocation for the year.

11 Decent Homes Assistance applications processed with a final spend of £171,000.

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underway for staff to deliver the DFG & DHA Policies, after retirement of previous post holder.

DH4b: Explore new opportunities to reduce the amount of energy used and associated costs, and improve the quality of life for residents living in hard to heat homes and ‘off-gas’ parts of the District, through supporting community energy generation projects, district heating schemes and fuel buying groups.

Work with consultants, the Dept. for Energy and Climate Change and a range of local stakeholders to explore the potential for delivery of heat networks.

To deliver costed options appraisals and business plans for heat networks.

Detailed techno-economic feasibility studies for Bridge Lane and Lowther Village and Hackthorpe have been carried out. A high level feasibility study for Pooley Bridge has been completed.

Further funding to complete detailed project development and commercialisation stages for Bridge Lane and Lowther Village and Hackthorpe has been received from the Department of

Officer engagement across various Departments implemented.

Engagement with Portfolio Holder, relevant Council Officers, Consultants, and HNDU undertaken February 2017

New scope of work proposed for project and for Pooley Bridge - to be agreed and signed off by HNDU/Eden DC – expected June 2017

Final technical

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Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (formerly DECC).

Contract scope being finalised – with Heat Network Delivery Unit and consultant involvement. Work progressing with initial groundwork for next stage – governance, stakeholder engagement, consultant scope of works.

feasibility reports for Lowther/Penrith received

Deliver the Central Heating Fund scheme

Process applications and support residents to take up the financial allocation available for the CHF scheme in Eden.

95 application forms sent out. 24 applications sent through to Npower for survey etc. Publicity through press release, parishes, Facebook, Twitter, Eden FM, National Landlords Association. Letters to residents in areas with

39 new central heating systems will have been installed.

Original budget for Eden was £256,275 and due to underspend in other districts £261,343 has so far been spent and

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high levels of fuel poverty and low energy efficiency.

Advertising now complete and deadline for new applications has passed. It is likely that Eden will see up to 50 new central heating systems delivered through this scheme which has proved very popular with customers. Considerable work is still required to take most of these jobs through to completion.

allocated in the area.

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Objective DH5: Meet homelessness duties including through prevention and provide support to those who require it to live independently.




DH5a: Ensure that thecontract for thehomelessness serviceand Cumbria Choice iswell managed so that everyone in housing need receives a high quality service.

Undertake a review of the current homelessness and housing advice contract which is due to end at 31 March 2017

Review Completed. Best value review completed. Considered that full service review required – council processes, procedures, contracted services.

Consideration to be given to extending existing contract with Eden Housing Association for 1 year. This will permit the council to explore possible service improvements that could be gained through the 'digital transformation' project and to take account of

Review process begun with dialogue to Digital Transformation Project started - September 2016.

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 now statute. Assessment of new requirements being undertaken to be included within process design and new tender output – within Portfolio Plan 2017-2018

Extension to existing contract for one year, to allow for service review, approved by Executive – February 2017.

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implications of current Homelessness Reduction Bill.

Steps taken in redesign of Homelessness Officer role to allow for role to be more client facing and to increase potential capacity in conjunction with process improvement.

New member of staff in post, with increased resource, to undertake service review to allow for role to be more client facing and to increase potential capacity in conjunction with process improvement.

Put forward proposals for the future delivery of the statutory Homelessness and Housing Advice Service from 1 April 2017

Report submitted to appropriate decision making body.

As above. To be undertaken in conjunction with best value review to afford greatest benefit for council.

As above

DH5b: Deliver the ‘No Second Night Out’ and other projects to help veterans and the vulnerably housed.

Minimise the numberof people sleepingrough in the districtand provide supportwhen this does occur

Number of peoplesupported

Support contract agreed with County Council and Eden Housing Association which is now up and running and providing

Funding for 2017-2018 received from County Council.

£70K received from Central Government re

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support to people who would otherwise not be able to sustain a tenancy.

New support contract up and running and has already achieved a notable success with a very vulnerable individual being supported into a tenancy who was previously homeless and at risk. New homelessness legislation likely to place increased responsibilities on Local Authorities to house vulnerable homeless people.

joint Cumbrian Domestic Violence Support Project

New support contract has already achieved a notable success with a very vulnerable individual being supported into a tenancy who was previously homeless and at risk. New homelessness legislation likely to place increased responsibilities on Local Authorities to house vulnerable homeless people.

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Objective TC4: Deliver and promote healthy living through provision and support of a range of health and leisure activities and facilities.




Objective TC4: Deliver and promote healthy living through provision and support of a range of health and leisure activities and facilities

To review and refresh the Wellbeing Strategy and Action Plan for Eden in liaison with stakeholders including the Eden Local Forum.

To work within the Eden Local Forum to better understand the Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

To ensure that a clear understanding of the positive role that Eden District Council can play in the wider delivery of Health & Wellbeing aspirations

New Wellbeing Strategy and Action Plan produced.

First stage in strategy development has seen the agreement of new term of Reference for the Eden Health Forum which sees an increased emphasis on partnership working. A series of actions will now be produced to be led at a strategic level by the Forum but delivered through a number of subgroups. Forum now being reformed with a wider membership. New sub groups to be set up to develop key priorities for action. This will allow specialists to be appointed to the sub

New terms and reference in place for Eden Forum.

Council now member of the Eden Integrated Care Community Leadership Team.

Engagement with Joint Health and Wellbeing Board, Public Health Alliance, and other external agencies ongoing.

Engagement with County Council to further explore new methods of joint working - January 2017.

Dementia Action

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across Cumbria, in areas such as health improvement, dementia, and teenage mental health.

groups to allow detailed work but keeping the Forum free to operate at a strategic level and checking delivery of the action plan.

Joint working with other district councils in Cumbria has begun to ensure that the voice and role of districts in Health and Wellbeing are properly heard and understood. This will help ensure that Eden participates fully in Health and Wellbeing delivery. Currently working jointly with County Council, the Alzheimer’s Society and Eden Carers to develop Dementia Action Alliances in Penrith and Upper Eden areas.

Leisure Services are now included as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Forum and their role in promoting physical

Alliances in Penrith and Upper Eden areas implemented.

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activity is fully recognised.

TC4: Support projects that promote healthy eating and exercise to young families particularly in areas where childhood obesity is prevalent

To ensure that consultation occurs with key stakeholders and other sections within the council to identify schemes to support.

That the new Wellbeing Action Plan identifies specific schemes for delivery.

New Eden Health and Wellbeing Forum Action being developed taking cognisance of above information.

282 referrals including 263 starters, 179 of which completed 15 wk scheme (target 180 No. of Referrals).

4 hours per week on offer including Sports Hall, Gym, Walking Football, Bowls, Aquafit (target 2 hours per week)

113 Passports issued. made available to 100% of Yr10/11 pupils via secondary schools

8 weeks delivered including 2 weeks Easter throughput 52 persons and Summer 6 weeks throughput 509 persons (target 8 weeks delivery per annum).

5No Skyrides in Eden – 26 persons

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16 Ride Socials in Eden – 95 persons.36 Female Breeze Rides – 117 persons

(target 6 Guided Rides)

51 weeks delivered8197 participants average 166 p/w 632 volunteers average 12.39 p/wRunners and volunteers include families and Under 16’s.

(target 46 weeks per annum)

Application stage for subsidised Swim initiative. Scheme is Swim for £1 at Eden leisure centres. Target 3500 under 16’s throughput

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Objective QC: Continue to provide efficient and cost effective statutory and discretionary services




Continue to provide satisfactory statutory services in environmental health. Respond to requests for services.Apply the service plans.

Comply with response times set out in services plans. Targets implemented as per service plans.

Data is currently collected at year end only.

All key performance targets achieved

QC5b: QC5b: Deliver consistently high quality statutory services

Implement actions identified in the Action Plan following the Food Standards Agency audit of the Food Hygiene Rating

To ensure the action points identified by the FSA are delivered within the specified timescales

Acceptance by the FSA that the actions have been suitably implemented

Completed. Implemented and ongoing internal monitoring being carried out on a monthly / bi- monthly basis.

Completed

Review procedures relating to the investigation of zoonosis notifications,

Revise procedures to reflect current legislation and identify respective roles, by

TB procedure updated

Salmonella procedure

Completed

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specifically TB and Salmonella, in liaison with the Animal Plant Health Authority. Revise existing Salmonella and TB procedures as regards zoonosis notifications associated with milk producing animals to reflect current legislation and guidance.

31/12/2016. updated

Respond to changes following closure of the Public Health England Preston Food, water and Environmental Laboratory. Put in place measures to ensure that a suitable programme of food, water and environmental testing continues, using the PHE York Lab

Continuation of sampling programme as per Food Service Plan

Move now completed and samples now being sent to York.

Completed

Produce a newsletter for food businesses highlighting key messages, legislative changes and new guidance

Issue newsletter by 30/11/2016

Ongoing Discussion had with other Cumbrian districts with regards to Better Business For All programme - new process for 2017-2018

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to be agreed

Review the fees and charges for Scrap Metal Licences.

Produce revised fees for Collectors and Scrap Metal Licences by 31/12/2016.

Cost of service should be reflected accurately in the fees for the service

Review completed – uplift in fees to reflect accurately cost of service.

Completed.

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