Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

HRD to investigate the provision of wirelessalarm systems to replace the currenthardwired system. This could save aconsiderable capital amount, as well asensuring more flexibility with the property(supporting portable and personalisedservices over institutional services supplied todesignated properties).HRD will invite input from ASC to review thevoid process and the impact of the revisedallocation policy and procedure. Related tothis, HRD will record the reasons for refusal ofits properties. This will allow analysis anddeter unreasonable refusals.In the event of proven overprovision, HRD willundertake scheme by scheme analysis, andmake recommendations for de-designation,rationalisation or additional investment, asappropriate. This will be done through fullconsultation with Members and the affectedresidents.Notwithstanding the need for a detailedassessment, Members were of the view thatthe Edward Woods scheme was not ideal forthe provision of sheltered accommodationand they would support proposals to dedesignateas sheltered accommodation withno further allocations for such use at theearliest opportunity, with existing shelteredresidents offered transfers to other schemes.(The Edward Woods scheme is a “scatteredsite” comprising 19 units in Poynter House, 11in Stebbings House, and 10 in NorlandsHouse, composing 31 one bed flats, and 9bedsits).Partnership working with other local providersof accommodation for the elderly isacknowledged best practice and increasinglyencouraged. It was agreed that joint workingwith Hammersmith United Charities,specifically their Sycamore Gardens site,should be explored as this was a very goodexample of modern elderly housing provision.An immediate cost benefit analysis is beganto determine the best form of alarm system tobe installed, and make a suitablerecommendation to the Cabinet Member forHousingVoid process to be mapped and subject to a"Lean review" to ensure it is efficient and "Fitfor purpose". This will be done prior to theintroduction of the revised Allocations Policyand after to determine the impact. Identifiedoperational service improvements, such asrecording the reason for refusal, will beimplemented as soon as practically possibleOnce need is determined, this shall bemapped against existing stock to determine ifthere is an overprovision of ShelteredAccommodation. Is this is the case, HRD willanalyse its stock and make recommendationsfor any necessary realignment of the serviceto the Cabinet Member for HousingHRD to phase out the use of Bedsit/Studioprovision wherever practically possibleHRD begin more intensive partnershipworking with other providers ofaccommodation in the Borough to deliver itscorporate objectives. This process will beginwith Hammersmith United Charities giventheir proven record as a provider of goodquality housing and shared vision of highquality accommodation for the elderly of theBorough.Report to Council with evidenced options,cost and timescales for a replacement alarmsystemThe services will be measured via agreedperformance indicators (to include averagevoid time, number of refusals per property) todetermine service improvement, and theimpact of the revised Allocations PolicyFollowing conclusion of this process, thenumber and type of accommodationdesignated as Sheltered Accommodation isrealigned to meet the profile for current andfuture Housing Need in the BoroughBedsit/Studio accommodation no longermanaged in the Sheltered AccommodationPortfolioDelivery against the Councils CorporateObjectives against the benchmarks ofefficiency, effectiveness, equity and economy(i) Joint working with ASC to understand thechanging needs of the community and fundingimplications (ii) Determine options (iii) Optionsappraisal (iv) Report to Cabinet Member forHousing with Recommendations(i) Lean review of current service (ii)Implementation of operational serviceimprovements (iii) Recording of reason forrefusal to be noted on the IT system (iv)Implementation of the revised AllocationsPolicy (v) Lean review and impactassessment of revised system(i) Completed of the needs analysis (set outabove in Recommendation 3,above ) (ii)Conclusion of the Assessment of currentstock (set out in Recommendation 5, above)(iii) Analysis of the combined findings to forma report to Cabinet Member for Housing withrecommendations for a realignment of service(if necessary) (iv) A Cabinet Member reportdetailing any schemes with issues and therecommended action if required(i) Void bedsit/studios are not offered topersons registered for ShelteredAccommodation (ii) Current residents to beoffered transfers to suitable accommodation(iii) Transitional plans to be agreed withCabinet Member for Housing (iv) Transitionalplans are put in place in consultation withexisting residents who do not want to transfer(v) a local lettings plan for these properties isdevised and implemented whilst transitionalplans are in force(i) Continue and intensify liaison with otheraccommodation providers in the Borough (ii)Initially concentrate on liaison with HUC todetermine if joint working can benefit bothparties, and ultimately the elderly orvulnerable residents of the Borough (iii) Toupdate the Cabinet Member for Housing onprogress on a monthly basis, and makerecommendations for consideration asappropriateHRD ASCHRD ASCHRD ASC,CabinetHRD AffectedResidentsHRD ASC,RSLs,othersTBD01/08/12 TBDL01/08/12 TBDL01/08/12 TBDL01/09/12 TBDL01/09/12 TBDLRecommendation 11OPTIONS APPRAISALRecommendation 10PILOTING NEW APPROACHESRecommendation 9Recommendation 8Recommendation 7Page 336