Agenda item

David Redgewell, South West Transport Network addressed the Panel. He said that he welcomed the installation of new bus shelters as part of the Bath Transport Package, but stressed the need to have a budget to keep all shelters clean and in a safe condition.

He also spoke of the need to rectify continuing problems at the Bath Bus Station. He said that the problems included access to the toilets, the lack of a café, some station doors not working properly and issues around signage. He stressed the need for a real station manager.

He summed up by expressing his concern that Mendip Council may be considering the removal of some of their rail tracks near to the land of the Norton Radstock Regeneration.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that she was not aware of the operations of the station, but was willing to talk with officers in Highways & Transport to see if any problems could be resolved.

Councillor Gerry Curran questioned the need for so many agencies to be involved at the bus station and said that it was clear that a lead needed to be taken by somebody on these matters.

Vicky Drew addressed the Panel, a copy of her statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

In early September I was concerned to receive an email from B&NES Homesearch team informing myself, and all others on the Housing list that Curo, our local Housing Association would now be carrying out credit checks on potential, and indeed current tenants at the point of nomination for its affordable rented properties. The report will contain information that will help Curo confirm an applicant’s identity and assess if they are financially reliable.

Curo may also ask for rent in advance. If rent paid weekly, this will be a week’s rent and if rent paid monthly this will be a month’s rent.” Of this there was no warning, no discussion and not even to my knowledge an approach to tenants and those on the housing list to ascertain what the effect of this might be.

Many of those in dire need of social housing will have been trapped in a private rental system for years in a City that can boast to be among the least affordable to buy or rent a home in the country. Many will have run up bad debts, defaulted on loans, survived on credit while they struggled with low wages to feed their families and pay these astronomical rents for a basic and insecure private property.

It is fairly obvious that Curo have envisioned the problems these raft of changes will bring to those people affected and have acted accordingly to protect their investment.

So what if these housing applicants, these families, their children, these often vulnerable single men and women of all ages……… What if they fail their credit checks?

It is of great concern that this direction by Curo may lead to desperate housing applicants being deterred from the process, leading to some of those feeling unable to bid on housing they are entitled to and need. And just where are these people supposed to find rent in advance for our increasingly marketised and market driven Charitable Housing Trust?

I would ask why, if …… and how the Charity Commission have allowed Curo to take these actions? I would ask this Panel to help those in desperate need, those people who have struggled to do their best to keep their families fed and clothed while keeping a roof over their heads, people like me. Please speak up for us and help end this housing discrimination against the poor.

The Chair then read aloud a response that she had received from Julie Evans, Director of Neighbourhoods, Curo.

She said that it was absolutely not the case that Curo now requires applicants to have a positive credit rating to be considered for re-housing. She added that the Passport to Housing Project is intended to be a positive initiative to support the successful sustainment of tenancies that are at a higher risk of failing due to low levels of financial capabilities / confidence of the applicant.

She stated that a growing number of applicants were suffering severe financial hardship and have problematic debt and that this impacts on their ability to successfully manage a tenancy, particularly as customers are migrating onto Universal Credit where housing costs are no longer paid direct to the landlord.

The purpose of Passport is to work with potential customers early and remove the barriers that might lead to them being declined a tenancy such as problematic debt and high interest loans, encourage them to save and look at ways to get more money in their pockets.

The CAB will complete a success plan with each customer which will address issues of food, furniture, finance, fuel and we are developing our offer around “futures” where we can offer help accessing employment, education and training.

Passport does not affect anyone’s Homesearch application and is about reducing the risk of Curo having to say ‘no’ to applicants who cannot afford the rent.

The Team Manager for Housing Options and Homelessness confirmed that Curo were now asking for rent to be paid in advance. He added that around 200 residents had been written to asking if they wish to take part in the Passport project and that the scheme was voluntary.

He said that officers were looking at whether Curo should be allowed access to the Homesearch database as a matter of data protection.

Councillor Tim Warren asked how much advanced rent were tenants expected to pay.

The Team Manager for Housing Options and Homelessness replied that tenants receiving benefits would be asked to pay a week in advance and those that were working would be asked to pay a month in advance.

The Chair asked if an advance rent fund of any kind was available.

The Team Manager for Housing Options and Homelessness replied that a fund was available to those deemed most vulnerable.

Councillor Steve Hedges commented that he was annoyed with Curo and questioned their title of ‘Social Landlords’. He said that Council’s role should be to work with Housing Associations to help the vulnerable.

Councillor Gerry Curran commented that he had had some discussions with Curo on these matters and acknowledged that tenants in receipt of benefits would find it difficult to find rent in advance. He added that Curo’s goal was to be successful with their tenancies.

He said that he was happy that the CAB were involved in the project and that he did not want to see people barred because of any historical discrepancies.

Councillor David Veale questioned the status of the term Affordable Housing and whether Curo was the right company to take this matter forward.

Councillor June Player asked why Curo were asking for rent in advance and how do they actively assist their tenants.

The Team Manager for Housing Options and Homelessness replied that it was now common practice for Housing Associations to ask for rent in advance in response to the introduction of Universal Credit. He added that the Passport project will look to provide an advice service for first time tenants or those wishing to move.

Councillor Steve Hedges commented that the Passport project sounded like a helpful initiative, but that he would like the Panel to hear more about it from Curo at their next meeting in November.

Councillor Tim Warren stated that he thought the Passport project was a good idea and asked if Curo were in a position to reconsider their decision on rent in advance.

The Head of Housing replied that rent in advance was very much standard practice for Housing Associations and reiterated that it was in response to the welfare reforms and a need to reinforce that it is the tenants responsibility to pay the rent. He said that he felt that the Passport project was a good idea, should support tenants and prevent the cycle of failure, and the principles of the project should be supported by the Council.

The Chair thanked the Panel for the discussion and said she looked forward to receiving further information at the next meeting.