Issue - meetings

The Panel will receive a presentation on this matter from representatives of Curo.

Vicky Drew addressed the Panel. She stated that she was further concerned by Curo’s Passport to Housing scheme. She said that she was worried about data protection issues and that the letter she had received appeared to give no option to opt out of the scheme.

She said that the letter also talks of the need for pre-tenancy checks to take place and to take part in a 45 minute to 2 hour interview. She added that she was very surprised to have been contacted by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to have a discussion despite no offer of new housing. She said that the CAB had also requested that she submit her financial details to them.

She asked how tenants on zero hours contracts would be affected by these measures.

She stated that the communication regarding the scheme by Curo was shoddy at the very least and called for an unpaid B&NES representative to have a place on their board.

Ben Draper addressed the Panel. He announced that he was intending to stand for Labour in the ward of Walcot in the local elections next year and that he wanted to speak about the problems the residents in that area faced.

He said that some of the residents may be stuck in low-paid work; some may have always struggled with the bills or suffer from long-term financial difficulties; some may have been forced to payday loan companies as a result of recent benefit changes.

He said that Curo had historically performed valuable work housing its most needy residents. However, recent steps taken by the group indicate a fundamental – and troubling – shift in their core principles.

He stated that Curo is currently one of the most important institutions in the area working towards housing those who most need it. He hoped that their policies would remain true to that mission. But he said he was concerned by these changes and must ask:

·  Has B&NES formulated a safeguarding measure to make sure these eligible families are housed elsewhere?

·  Has B&NES calculated how much it will cost house these residents elsewhere?

·  Does the Committee and Curo itself agree that this move represents the marketisation of social housing in this local authority?

·  At what level will this credit threshold for housing be set and by who?

·  How many families does Curo anticipate will be refused housing on the basis of bad credit?

Councillor Steve Hedges asked for the answers to Mr Draper’s questions to be circulated to the Panel when available.

Julie Evans, Sarah Segar and Louise Swain were present on behalf of Curo and gave a presentation to the Panel. A copy of the presentation will be attached as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Impact of Universal Credit – Tenants

·  DWP Processes – new and digital default

·  When will it happen?

·  Transition arrangements and the impact upon their income

·  Curo rent – how much and how they pay

·  Lack of access,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48