Agenda item

Report of Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes Tenancy and Estate Manager, presented the report which updates the Committee on Nottingham City Homes (NCH) performance and engagement activity within Area One since the last report. The Committee is also asked to consider approving the NCH environmental programme.

Toni highlighted the following points and responded to the committee’s questions:

(a)  solar panel installation at qualifying properties is due to start soon. The exact number and location of qualifying properties was not a hand but would be provided to Councillor Klein;

(b)  regeneration work includes starting the third phase of Norwich Gardens Estate Impact Project and Snapenook Court Grander Design work;

(c)  NCH was recently nominated for RSB awards, was shortlisted, and NCH Estate and Tenancy Managers won ‘project of the year’ for a boxing club initiative.

Community representatives and Ward members expressed disappointment, concern and frustration at the ongoing situation that some ‘patches’ within Area One had not had a permanent Patch Manager in post for significant time, and that temporary Patch Managers, although effective, either moved on or were replaced. This has resulted in a lack of continuity of service. This was particularly noticeable for Tenant and Resident Groups, when as soon as a relationship and understanding of the area was established, the officer changed resulting in a new period of introduction and local learning. Some Community Representatives strongly express their views that, through no fault of the temporary Patch Managers, neighbourhoods and vulnerable people were not receiving the expected level of service.

Toni responded that the issue was also frustrating for Estate Managers who continued to request a more stable solution while the appointed Patch Manager remained on secondment. It is noted the patch manager posts cannot be permanently filled and had to remain available to the appointed Patch Manager for when their secondment finished.

The Chair commented that the issue was not limited to this one patch, and that the broader issue needed to be addressed. She stated that she would again write to Nick Murphy, the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes, on this issue and ask that he respond to the affected Tenant and Resident Groups.

Toni responded to an issue which had been raised by a community representative who was unable to attend the meeting, regarding reported fly tipping on the edge of Bradford Street allotments. This issue had been reported for clearing some time ago but no action had been taken. Toni reported that the patch manager was investigating why this had not yet been cleared, and would contact the community representative with his findings.

The current financial position is detailed as follows:

RESOLVED

(1)  to note

(i)  the update report contained within appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  the performance report contained within appendix 2 to the report;

(2)  to note the approve the NCH environmental Programme Funding for Bulwell & Bulwell Forest Wards as set out below:

(3)  for Toni Smithurst to inform Councillor Ginny Klein of the  number and location of properties qualifying for solar panel installation.