Agenda item

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Housing, which set out options to enter into a new lease for Caradoc Hall for 10 years.

The report would also be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting scheduled for 5^th November 2024 and the Council at its meeting scheduled for 3^rd December 2024.

The Housing Act 1996 (as amended) places a statutory duty on Local Authorities to provide Temporary Accommodation to homeless households who are eligible and have a priority need.

Nationally the number of households living in temporary accommodation has increased significantly over the last 3 years and as of the 31^st March 2024 the Government’s quarterly publications show this is the highest recorded figure ever.  Coventry has also seen an increase in demand with 1,329 households living in temporary accommodation as at the 23^rd September 2024.

The Housing and Homeless Service have implemented several different accommodation options leading to a diverse temporary accommodation portfolio including lease agreements with private providers, provision through Registered Providers and the purchasing of properties. The results being that despite increases in temporary accommodation the Council has very few families in bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation in comparison to similar sized Councils. As of the 30^th September 2024 there were 1,326 households in temporary accommodation with 938 being families with dependent children. Even with these significant numbers there were no families in B&B and only 19 single people. B&B does not typically have cooking facilities and is often the most expensive temporary accommodation option alongside being the most inappropriate form of temporary accommodation, particularly for families with dependent children.

The lease of Caradoc Hall woud allow the Council to secure the use of the building for 10 years. The length of the lease term reflects the current demand and includes a break clause for the Council to terminate the lease arrangement after five years.

As part of the proposed lease agreement, the managing agent will commit to a refurbishment of the 103 flats in line with a condition survey agreed with the Council, as a well as continued improvements to the building such as replacement of the lifts.

Caradoc Hall is a residential building and as of 23^rd January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 made it a requirement in law to provide information to fire and rescue services to assist them in planning for and responding to a fire in the building. Caradoc Hall has complied with these regulations. A high-rise residential building is defined as a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises that is at least 18 metres tall or has at least seven storeys. The Housing & Homeless service has commissioned independent fire safety inspections quarterly with high levels of compliance by the provider. The building has a sprinkler system installed as part of the initial lease, smoke detectors and linked fire panel.

A corresponding private report detailing confidential financial matters was also submitted for consideration (minute 42 below refers).

Following questions from the Committee, it was clarified that Caradoc Hall is owned by a private landlord.  Residents in the accommodation are required to pay Council Tax and their own utility bills.  The length of stay at the accommodation varies according to the requirements of the resident.  Where residents require a 2 bedroom property, the wait for suitable accommodation is approximately 12 months.  For 3+ bedroom properties, the wait is longer. Caradoc Hall is primarily used to accommodate small families.  The increase in the number of families requiring temporary accommodation is due to a number of factors such as friends and families no longer being able to offer support and families fleeing from domestic violence.  Caradoc Hall had undergone extensive refurbishment 5 years ago, which included some of the extractors being replaced, and whilst a further refurbishment will be undertaken to return the properties to the same standard as 5 years ago, there had been limited incidents of damp or mould identified during the structural assessment.  The proposed refurbishment will take place as individual flats become vacant.

RESOLVED that, the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee note the report and confirm there are no comments or recommendations to be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration at their meeting on 5^th November 2024.