Councillor Lynn Worrall, Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report and in doing so highlighted some of the key achievements of the Portfolio, which included:

•           An increase in rating service provided by Contractor by year repairs completed.

•           Private Sector Housing – 244 homes visited with a further 150 household offered informal advice and mediation.

•           In 2015-16 the Housing Team inspected 30 HMOs and received 32 HMO related service requested.

•           Homelessness - 2,186 households approached the service for housing help and advice, with 283 making homeless assistance applications; 372 potential cases of homelessness were prevented; Housing waiting list increasing - over 7,000 households, including transfers, now on the register; the service was nationally recognised by achieving the National Practitioners Support Service Gold standard; 630 properties void this year.

•           Transforming Homes - Now over 5,000 properties completed to the Transforming Homes standard; 342 homes across Grays, Tilbury and Chadwell benefitted from external wall insulation to increase thermal efficiency; 1,300 highly efficient boilers now installed due to the Transforming Homes Programme.

•           Development – The Echoes : 53 properties; The Bruyns : 25 properties; Bracelet Close : 12 properties and St Chads : 128 properties. Further developments planned through HRA and Gloriana.

Councillor Gledhill commented that a wider solution was required for the monitoring and inspection of HMOs.

Councillor Worrall took on board the issue of private landlords being unable to contact the relevant officers in the Council through the telephony system.

Councillor Ray highlighted the issues relating to the concierge service from the recent staff appeal hearing.

Councillor Ojetola stated that more focus should be given to the VOID targets. Councillor Worrall confirmed that the average time for a VOID was 33 days and that the Housing Team was undertaking an amazing job to turn the VOIDS round.

Councillor Redsell asked for confirmation on how many liaison officers there were for the Council Traveller sites in Thurrock.

Councillor Worrell shared briefly some of the recommendations that the Working Group had agreed on. These included identification card for trade personnel, inviting Mears to the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, before and after photos of properties, the numbers of fares and rents and provide information and training to members.

Councillor Aker asked the Portfolio Holder that consideration be given to the level of communication when dealing with vulnerable residents.

Councillor Liddiard asked for an update on the impending homelessness crisis within the borough. Councillor Worrall stated that with the increase of 160 per cent rise in homelessness demonstrates the vast volume that the Council have to deal with. It was also stated that The Right Size Policy had been to Cabinet this month with one person already showing an interest, Rents Arising and working with local private landlords.

Councillor G Rice asked the Portfolio Holder what affect the one per cent cut in rents would have on the refurbishment programme. Councillor Worrall stated that a year extension on internal projects with a three year extension on all external projects.

Councillor Worrall confirmed that no plans were in place to demolish the Flowers Estate.

Councillor Worrall stated that it had been a pleasure undertaking the role of Portfolio Holder for Housing and having the opportunity to work with such a good team in Housing.