26 June 2002 (Review)

HOUSING REVIEW PANEL

Minute of Meeting held in Congreve House, QinetiQ Hebrides, Benbecula on Wednesday, 26 June 2002 at 10.00am

PRESENT

Mr George Lonie (Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Martin Taylor

APOLOGIES

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr David Blaney

MINUTES

Housing Review Panel

1

The Minute of Meeting of 19 June 2002 was approved.

PRIVATE HOUSING

It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle, would be disclosed.

Grant Application involving Comhairle Officer: Grant Reference No (0200040/LPG)

H10.01.03

2

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Lead Replacement Grant by Mr George Macleod, who was the brother-in-law of the Customer Care Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report gave background information and indicated that the proposed works at 3 Bain Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis were elIgible for grant.

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to approve the application for a Lead Replacement Grant in respect of the property at 3 Bain Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

MANAGEMENT

It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 8 Items on the grounds that exempt information relating to any particular occupier or former occupier of, or applicant for, accommodation provided by, or at the expense of the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Former Tenant Rent Arrears - Write-off

H05.02

3

The Area Manager submitted a Report inviting the Panel to determine if a specific former tenant rent arrear, associated with the former tenancy reference number 1101804291, should be written-off against the Housing Revenue Account provision for bad and doubtful debt. The Report gave background information in relation to the proposed write off.

It was agreed that the rent arrrears, in the sum of £1,593.85 associated with the former tenancy reference number 1101804291, be written-off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.

Serious Rent Arrears

H05.02

4

The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference no: 1109884343. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was recommended in the Report that:

(1) the Housing Review Panel determine the case;

(2) if a further repayment agreement was accepted by the Housing Review Panel, the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection, if the arrangements relating to the repayment were not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, and;

(3) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the abovementioned tenancy be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.

It was agreed that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to determine a repayment agreement, in consultation with the tenant and that if this repayment agreement was not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, it be delegated to the Director of Housing to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection.

It was further agreed that:

(1) the Director of Housing be requested to emphasise to the tenant the importance of paying all outstanding rent arrears, and;

(2) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the tenancy reference no: 1109884343 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.

Serious Rent Arrears

H05.02

5

The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference no: 1101804619. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was recommended in the Report that:

(1) the Housing Review Panel determine the case;

(2) if a further repayment agreement was accepted by the Housing Review Panel, the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection, if the arrangements relating to the repayment were not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, and;

(3) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the abovementioned tenancy be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.

It was agreed that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to determine a repayment agreement in respect of all outstanding rent arrears, in consultation with the tenant, and that if the repayment agreement was not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, it be delegated to the Director of Housing to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection and that if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with tenancy reference no: 1101804619 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.

It was further agreed that the Director of Housing be requested to emphasise to the tenant the importance of paying all outstanding rent.

Application for Transfer to another Dwelling

H05.01

6

The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning a request from Mrs AB and Mr AB for a tenancy transfer.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Update of Information: Serious Rent Arrears

H05.02

7

The Area Manager submitted a Report giving information in relation to Serious Rent Arrear Cases which had been determined previously by the Panel.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Request for Accommodation in Lochmaddy

H05.01

8

The Area Manager submitted a Report giving information in relation to a request for accommodation in Lochmaddy to be used by staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre.

It was agreed to homologate the action taken by the Director of Housing in allocating a house for the use of staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre and that the allocation of any house for the use of staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre be reviewed on an annual basis.

Request for Tenancy and Reduction in Rent of Two Houses at Winfield Way

H05.01

9

The Area Manager submitted a Report giving details of a request from the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations for tenancy of two adjoining houses at Winfield Way and for a reduction in the rent for these two properties.

A representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and a representative of the Director of Housing were invited in to the Meeting. The representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and the representative of the Director of Housing were invited to present their cases.

Both parties and Members of the Panel were given the opportunity to ask questions. Following presentation of the cases, the representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and the representative of the Director of Housing withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the matter.

It was agreed to grant the tenancy of the two properties at 13 and 14 Winfield Way to the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations, on the basis that the rent for the properties would be determined by the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Chairman and the local Member and that the Director of Housing be requested to submit a further Report to the Panel outlining a proposed rental structure for properties used by voluntary and charitable organisations.

Request for Reduction in Rent of House at 12 Leonard Place

HO5.02

10

The Area Manager submitted a Report giving details of a request from the South End Development Group for a reduction in the rent of 12 Leonard Place, Daliburgh.

It was agreed that the Director of Housing be authorised to request the South End Development Group for evidence of charitable status, together with their accounts and that their request for a reduction in the rent for the property at 12 Leonard Place, Daliburgh, be considered at the next Meeting of the Panel.

___

PRESENT	Mr George Lonie (Chairman)
	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Murdo Macleod
	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Martin Taylor

APOLOGIES	Mr Iain Morrison
	Mr Norman L Macdonald
	Mr Angus Nicolson
	Mr David Blaney

		MINUTES
Housing Review Panel	1	The Minute of Meeting of 19 June 2002 was approved.
		PRIVATE HOUSING
		It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle, would be disclosed.
Grant Application involving Comhairle Officer: Grant Reference No (0200040/LPG) H10.01.03	2	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Lead Replacement Grant by Mr George Macleod, who was the brother-in-law of the Customer Care Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report gave background information and indicated that the proposed works at 3 Bain Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis were elIgible for grant.
		It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to approve the application for a Lead Replacement Grant in respect of the property at 3 Bain Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
		MANAGEMENT
		It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 8 Items on the grounds that exempt information relating to any particular occupier or former occupier of, or applicant for, accommodation provided by, or at the expense of the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Former Tenant Rent Arrears - Write-off H05.02	3	The Area Manager submitted a Report inviting the Panel to determine if a specific former tenant rent arrear, associated with the former tenancy reference number 1101804291, should be written-off against the Housing Revenue Account provision for bad and doubtful debt. The Report gave background information in relation to the proposed write off. It was agreed that the rent arrrears, in the sum of £1,593.85 associated with the former tenancy reference number 1101804291, be written-off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.
Serious Rent Arrears H05.02	4	The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference no: 1109884343. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.
		It was recommended in the Report that: (1) the Housing Review Panel determine the case; (2) if a further repayment agreement was accepted by the Housing Review Panel, the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection, if the arrangements relating to the repayment were not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, and; (3) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the abovementioned tenancy be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.
		It was agreed that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to determine a repayment agreement, in consultation with the tenant and that if this repayment agreement was not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, it be delegated to the Director of Housing to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection. It was further agreed that: (1) the Director of Housing be requested to emphasise to the tenant the importance of paying all outstanding rent arrears, and; (2) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the tenancy reference no: 1109884343 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.
Serious Rent Arrears H05.02	5	The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference no: 1101804619. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.
		It was recommended in the Report that: (1) the Housing Review Panel determine the case; (2) if a further repayment agreement was accepted by the Housing Review Panel, the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection, if the arrangements relating to the repayment were not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, and; (3) if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the abovementioned tenancy be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.
		It was agreed that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to determine a repayment agreement in respect of all outstanding rent arrears, in consultation with the tenant, and that if the repayment agreement was not discharged to the satisfaction of the Director of Housing, it be delegated to the Director of Housing to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection and that if the house was repossessed, all rent arrears associated with tenancy reference no: 1101804619 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued.
		It was further agreed that the Director of Housing be requested to emphasise to the tenant the importance of paying all outstanding rent.
Application for Transfer to another Dwelling H05.01	6	The Area Manager submitted a Report concerning a request from Mrs AB and Mr AB for a tenancy transfer. It was agreed to note the Report.
Update of Information: Serious Rent Arrears H05.02	7	The Area Manager submitted a Report giving information in relation to Serious Rent Arrear Cases which had been determined previously by the Panel. It was agreed to note the Report.
Request for Accommodation in Lochmaddy H05.01	8	The Area Manager submitted a Report giving information in relation to a request for accommodation in Lochmaddy to be used by staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre.
		It was agreed to homologate the action taken by the Director of Housing in allocating a house for the use of staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre and that the allocation of any house for the use of staff employed by the Uist Outdoor Centre be reviewed on an annual basis.
Request for Tenancy and Reduction in Rent of Two Houses at Winfield Way H05.01	9	The Area Manager submitted a Report giving details of a request from the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations for tenancy of two adjoining houses at Winfield Way and for a reduction in the rent for these two properties. A representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and a representative of the Director of Housing were invited in to the Meeting. The representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and the representative of the Director of Housing were invited to present their cases. Both parties and Members of the Panel were given the opportunity to ask questions. Following presentation of the cases, the representative of the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations and the representative of the Director of Housing withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the matter.
		It was agreed to grant the tenancy of the two properties at 13 and 14 Winfield Way to the Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations, on the basis that the rent for the properties would be determined by the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Chairman and the local Member and that the Director of Housing be requested to submit a further Report to the Panel outlining a proposed rental structure for properties used by voluntary and charitable organisations.
Request for Reduction in Rent of House at 12 Leonard Place HO5.02	10	The Area Manager submitted a Report giving details of a request from the South End Development Group for a reduction in the rent of 12 Leonard Place, Daliburgh. It was agreed that the Director of Housing be authorised to request the South End Development Group for evidence of charitable status, together with their accounts and that their request for a reduction in the rent for the property at 12 Leonard Place, Daliburgh, be considered at the next Meeting of the Panel.