1.
During April and May 2003 the council employed a Consultant
Environmental Health and Housing Officer to undertake a review of the current
services that were offered by the council and suggestions for improvements that
could be included in the new Housing Renewal Policy.
2.
In total 34 people were interviewed and details are set out at the end
of this Annexe.
3.
The Council has identified some key services that could be developed,
and some that could be improved by alteration of current working practises.
Details on issues to be taken forward have been included in the Action Plan set
out at Annexe B.
Environmental Health and Housing Consultants
38 Stonnall Road, Walsall WS9 8JX Tel. 01922-455574
Isle of Wight Council Housing Renewal Strategy
Cllr Ian Stephens
Cllr
Roger Mazillius
Officers
from the Housing Department
Mr. Ian Hookey Senior
Housing Grants and Enforcement Officer
Ms Nicola Barrett Housing
Support Officer
Mr. Alan Barnes Housing
Grants and Enforcement Officer
Mr. Keith Fryer Housing Grants and Enforcement
Officer
Mr. Peter Griffiths Housing
Initiatives Officer
Ms Norah Gorlick Housing
Support Officer
Mr. Bernard McHugh Housing
Officer
Mr. Peter Millward Housing
Officer
Ms Dena Sullivan Housing
Support Officer
Isle of
Wight Council Employees
Ms Heidi Marshall Principal Policy Officer, Corporate
Policy and Communications
Ms
Margaret Kirkman Senior Solicitor, Legal Services
Ms Maggie Convery Joint Manager, Occupational Therapy
Mr. James Lowe Acting Head of Adult Services, Social Services
Mr.
Barrie Monks Environmental Health Manager, Environmental Health
Mr. Gareth Hughes Financial Services Manager, Corporate Finance
Niki Haytack Crime
and Disorder Manager, Crime and Disorder
Island
Housing Associations
Mr. Jim Iles Chief
Executive, South Wight Housing Association
Mr. John Collinge Chief
Executive, Medina Housing Association
Mr. Bill Gordon Property Services Manager, South Wight
Housing Association
Ms
Lynne Meach Housing Manager, South
Wight Housing Association
Other Statutory Bodies
Mr.
Steve White Fire Officer, IoW Fire
Service
Ms Elaine Garrett Public Health Partnership Manager, Isle
of Wight Primary Care Trust
Other Agencies
Mr. Roger Staker Acting Chief Executive, Rural Community
Council
Ms
Sara Ellis Rural Community Council
Mr. Matt Thatcher Manager,
Independent Housing Advice Centre
Ms Etty McInley People
Off The Streets (POTS)
Capt. Paul Hollyfield Regional
Officer Salvation Army
Other
consultation
Mr.
J. Franco Landlord and Developer
Mr.
Ken Rivers Chief Executive, Isle of Wight Credit Union Ltd
Mrs.
Val Ottway Secretary, Isle of Wight Credit Union Ltd
Mr.
Bob Taplin Treasurer, Isle of Wight Credit Union Ltd
STRATEGIC ISSUES
The consultant was asked
to analyse the interviews undertaken to find key strategic issues that needed
to be considered by the Council when undertaking a review of the service. In
response to this request the following issues have been considerer relevant in
the delivery of this service and future revisions of the Strategy and associated
policies:
1. PROACTIVE USE
OF HOUSING POWERS
1.1 The Council should proactively seek, identify and inspect dwellings where occupants are most exposed to health and safety (including fire and crime) risks. Priority to be given to:
1.2 The Council should enforce remedial action without delay using all legislative powers at the Council's disposal should owners fail to comply voluntarily with the law's requirements. Further in the public interest and where the law allows, to recover costs where Statutory action is taken in serving notices or carrying out works in default.
2. REVIEW AND IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY
2.1
The Council should
undertake regular training for officers in enforcement techniques and court
procdures so that consistency of service is maintained,
2.2
The Council should
actively look at introducing new computer technology to increase administrative
efficiency and service delivery
2.3
The Council should
look at its won internal approaches to running the service and makes decisions
on Beast Value principles that maximise staff efficiency,
2.4
The Council should
actively engage with partner organisations and external advisors to maximise
the services offered to Island residents and,
2.5
The Council should
look at external providers assisting with the delivery of certain services,
e,g, works in default.
3. GRANTS AND
LOANS
3.1
The Council should
use the revised legislative framework in such a way as to honour the Council's
mandatory obligations to those with disabilities in the most cost effective
way.
3.2
The Council should
include in the new Strategy a limited discretionary grant scheme to meet needs
not catered for by partner agency loan schemes and other financial and
technical services which will be promoted by the Council.
4. ENABLING,
PROGRESS CHASING AND SELF ASSESSMENT
4.1
The Council should
regularly review actions taken by key players in the housing field to establish
progress and shortfalls and providing advice and encouragement where needed.
4.2
The Council should
increase its performance monitoring at all levels taking any necessary action
to ensure service priorities e.g. to the very vulnerable, remain focused. Exposing both processes to occasional but
regular objective scrutiny by an external body to provide cross-checks.
5. KEEPING THE
STRATEGY RELEVANT
5.1
The Council should
engage with educational and marketing opportunities, which will contribute to
the economy and minimise what may be costly demands on health care services.
5.2
The Council will need
to ensure that the Strategy will be regularly reviewed to see if it is
sufficiently fine-tuned and resourced to meet need. Results of cost benefit analysis will need to be made known to
those responsible for keeping this and other Council strategies relevant to the
six corporate objectives.