Agenda item

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

The Chair welcomed Sue Cox from Jigsaw Homes to the committee as part of the Council’s partnership review programme.

Sue delivered a presentation which provided an overview on the key areas of their work at Jigsaw Homes, highlights of which were as follows:

Jigsaw Homes is one of the largest social landlords in the country building, renovating and managing low-cost homes for rent and sale. The core of their business has been centred around the management of 37,500 homes, primarily being social housing for rent. It was noted that 3,297 of those were in the Midlands in Gedling Borough.

Members noted that Jigsaw operated a choice-based lettings scheme administered by Gedling Borough Council’s Home Search system for the borough. It was noted that they assess housing need at the point of registration where applicants are given a banding. Available homes were advertised weekly, where all registered applicants could bid for properties.

Members noted that Jigsaw offered assistance for those struggling financially through a Money Advice Team, assisting tenants with financial health checks and income/expenditure forms, helping to prevent tenants from getting into debt with their rent. Members noted that Jigsaw also offered hardship funds, energy advice, fuel vouchers, employment and training clubs as well as low-cost food provision and more, helping residents with the cost-of-living crisis.

Members noted that as part of Jigsaw’s Asset Management, they conduct regular assessments, training and provision of fire and building safety, Damp and Mould prevention, carbon footprint reduction, reactive repairs and planned prevention as well as regular grounds maintenance.

Members noted that Jigsaw Homes’ Jigsaw foundation had provided grant funding of £45,000 per year to fund projects submitted by community groups, charities and residents to benefit communities. Members noted that all projects under £25,000 were voted on by residents through a Jigsaw Rewards portal and all projects over £25,000 were decided on by Jigsaw’s Operational Directors team.

The Chair then allowed Members to ask questions.

Members noted that there could be some improvement in communication and partnership working between Gedling borough Councillors and Jigsaw Homes. It was noted that Members could help spotlight various community events hosted by Jigsaw Homes.

Members queried whether Jigsaw could provide some statistics on the timeframes when a resident contacts them, how the issue is categorised and when the issue has been resolved.

Jigsaw Homes agreed to provide some information on contact centre statistics in due course.

Members queried how many empty Jigsaw properties there were at present in the borough, the average time a property would remain empty and how many applicants an empty property would receive on average.

Jigsaw Homes agreed to provide some information on empty properties in due course.

It was noted that of the 3,297 Jigsaw properties in the borough, roughly 1% of those had been fitted with solar panels. Members queried whether Jigsaw had timeframes planned for when the other properties in the borough would be fitted with solar panels.

Jigsaw Homes agreed to provide some information on solar panels in due course.

Members suggested that joint drop-in sessions could be held by Jigsaw in partnership with local Councillors to allow residents to raise the issues they face in their properties and areas.

Members noted that tenants applying for disabled facilities grants had been given significant waiting times before the work could begin and were concerned that those waiting might struggle with retaining their independence throughout that time.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Thank Jigsaw for attending the meeting and the information provided; and

2)    Circulate additional information and answers to the questions asked by Members.