Issue - meetings

That Cabinet approves the recommendation to make the necessary budgetary allowance as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report, to increase establishment by 1x FTE to create a surveyor role with a focus on damp and mould, subject to the HRA revenue budget being approved by the Full Council on 13 February which includes the funding for this role from 2024-25.

The Director – Housing, Health & Wellbeing presented a report which sought to approve a new post to manage reported damp and mould cases and assist with disrepair claims. To ensure the Council identifies the causes of damp and mould correctly and commission appropriate works to remedy reporte4d cases, it was proposed that these should be managed by a qualified surveyor. The role of the proposed new post would be to cover other complex repairs but with priority being given to cases of damp and moulld.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet approves the recommendation to make the necessary budgetary allowance as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report, to increase establishment by 1x FTE to create a surveyor role with a focus on damp and mould, subject to the HRA revenue budget being approved by the Full Council on 13 February which includes the funding for this role from 2024-25.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure that the Council can respond proactively and promptly to reports of damp and mould and provide additional technical knowledge to the Assets and Repairs functions.

This aligns to Community Plan Objective 1 – improving health and well-being and Objective 2 - Increasing the supply, choice, and standard of housing. 

Options Considered:

To add these additional activities to existing posts which would not provide the resource needed to prioritise responses to damp and mould.