Ivan Yates
Question:334 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals he has to support better local authority estate management practices. [25018/00]
Written Answers. - Local Authority Estate Management.
While the management and maintenance of their rented dwellings is the responsibility of local authorities, my Department plays an important role in providing support and guidance to the authorities in their efforts to better manage their estates. In recent years my Department introduced a number of initiatives in this regard, including: Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, local authorities are required to adopt statements of policy on housing management and this has provided a mechanism to require authorities to focus on housing management issues. All major authorities have adopted such policy statements which are revised from time to time as appropriate.
The housing management initiative grants scheme is designed to support innovative pilot projects in the area of local authority housing management by way of grant assistance from my Department. Since its inception in 1995, over 100 projects have been approved. Approximately 50% of the projects funded to date have involved staff and tenant training in estate management. Other projects included supporting research, production of tenant's handbooks and the employment of tenant liaison officers. It is proposed to undertake an evaluation of the scheme over the coming months.
A specialist housing unit was established in March 1998 as a joint pilot initiative between my Department and the county and city managers. The remit of the unit, which has a full-time director and administrative support, is to assist local authorities to develop a more strategic approach to housing management. It also has a role in promoting and disseminating good practice in all aspects of housing management, identifying training needs of housing practitioners and devising programmes and strategies to meet these needs. A consultative committee representative of my Department, local authorities, tenants, and the voluntary sector, provides policy advice and guidance and oversees the work of the unit.
The unit, in co-operation with my Department and local authorities, recently produced new guidelines on good practice in the repair and maintenance of local authority dwellings. Work is progressing on further guidelines on the subject of rents, empty property management, dealing with anti-social behaviour and tenant participation in estate management. The unit organised the third annual local authority housing practitioners conference which took place in Ennis on 18 and 19 October last.
The unit supports and facilitates the regional networks of local authority housing practitioners that comprise representatives of both administrative and technical staff in the housing area. These networks provide a forum for discussion on housing issues and promote the dissemination of good practice. They are also a vehicle for consultation and communication between the Department and local authorities on housing matters.
The remedial works scheme provides capital funding for major essential works to local authority dwellings with serious design or construction defects and to severely run down estates. Under recent changes to the scheme, the cost of establishing new or improved estate management arrangements, including tenant involvement and participation, may be allowed up to a limit of £10,000 in the case of estates of fewer than 20 houses and £20,000 in estates of 20 or more houses.
Local authorities are required to provide a programme of tenant development and information courses for tenants of new housing schemes. They are also encouraged to provide such programmes for the tenants and residents of existing housing estates. My Department has provided funding – £52,000 – towards the development by the RESPOND voluntary housing organisation of a formally accredited certificate in housing studies. The course specialises in estate management training for local authority and voluntary sector staff and members of community/residents groups.
I recognise the central role of local authorities in estate management and will continue to develop policies and initiatives to encourage and to assist authorities in this regard.