Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 July 2018 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2018 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mike Chartier, Johnny Denis, Ruth O’Keeffe and Steve Saunders. Councillor Barnes declared he was acting as substitute for Councillor O’Keeffe and Councillor Lambert declared she was acting as substitute for Councillor Saunders.

An apology for absence had also been received from John Langley, Tenants’ Representative, Tenants of Lewes District (Vice-Chair).

Verbal update by HEDP Development Project Manager.

The HEDP Development Project Manager gave his apologies to the Committee, as he was unable to attend the meeting.

Resolved:

That the HEDP Development Project Manager provide a written update to the Committee in respect of projects in the housing development pipeline across Lewes District, prior to its next meeting.

Presentation by Functional Lead for Thriving Communities.

The Committee received a presentation by the Functional Lead for Thriving Communities which provided an update on the roll-out of the full Universal Credit service across Lewes District.

The Chair of Tenants of Lewes District (TOLD) requested that the Functional Lead for Thriving Communities provide a brief written summary of the presentation to be later published in a newsletter distributed to the tenants of Lewes District. The Functional Lead for Thriving Communities agreed that he would provide a brief written summary for the newsletter.

The Chair of TOLD queried what happened when a person of working age who applied for and was approved for Universal Credit reached pension age. The Functional Lead for Thriving Communities replied that once a person reached pension age, the person would be removed from the Universal Credit scheme.

The Committee queried whether the Council had highlighted residents within Lewes District who may have difficulty applying for Universal Credit. The Head of Homes First replied that the Council were aware of some residents who may have difficulty applying for Universal Credit, and that members of his team were equipped with Wi-Fi enabled tablets which they could use to go into the community and assist applicants with the process. 

The Chair of TOLD highlighted that members of the organisation had received training in respect of Universal Credit, which had helped TOLD assist residents who had issues filling out forms when applying for Universal Credit. She further highlighted that TOLD had confidence that Lewes District Council had done everything it could in respect of assisting tenants with filling out forms for Universal Credit.

Resolved:

That the contents of the presentation be noted.

Presentation by Head of Homes First.

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Homes first in respect of housing needs and standards across Lewes District.

The Committee thanked the Head of Homes First and the Senior Specialist Advisor for Housing Needs and Standards for all their hard work.

Resolved:

That the contents of the presentation be noted.

The next meeting of the Housing Working Party will be called as necessary.

Resolved:

That the next meeting of the Housing Working Party be held in January 2019, on a date later to be agreed in consultation with the Chair, officers and members of the Committee.