Agenda item

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Mrs. J. Hawthorne (Belfast Regional Manager), Mr. P. McCarthy (Senior Project Manager) and Mr. B. O’Kane (Senior Principal Officer), representing the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

            Mr. McCarthy commenced by advising that the Housing Executive had a new heating service contract that commenced on 1st November, 2017.  He outlined that the NIHE had a requirement as Landlord to meet its statutory obligations by ensuring that it protected both the customer and the asset.  The NIHE had to ensure both the safety and continuity of operation, this required the prompt repair of heating installations in its properties, regular servicing and when necessary the replacement of heating systems. 

            The representative detailed that the service applied to gas, oil, electric, biomass, LPG, solid fuel, gas pipework installations for customer’s cookers and other appliances, open fires, focal point fires, renewable sources (solar thermal panels, solar PV roof tiles and panel), oil spillage remediation works and asbestos services (surveying and removal).  He stated that it would not cover tenants gas cookers or other appliances, tenant installed oil/electric heating systems or tenant installed wood burning/multi-fuel stoves.

            He then proceeded to highlight the key changes in the new contract as follows:

·        the contract and its delivery were now managed by the Regional Heating Units;

·        local maintenance staff no longer had a formal role; and

·        the local office role in relation to customers (refusals, access etc.) remained unchanged.

            He concluded the presentation by outlining the contractors working hours and he explained the text message facility that the contractor used to contact the customer.  He stated that the contractor appointed to undertake any required works must try to accommodate the requirements of the customer in order to gain access to a property.

            In response to a Member’s query, the representative confirmed that carbon monoxide detectors were fitted to all properties.  He advised that they were located within 1 metre of the boiler and were tested and serviced regularly.

            Following a further query, the representative explained the process regarding the installation and maintenance of gas appliances.  He stated that, as a landlord, the NIHE were legally responsible for the safety of its tenants in relation to gas safety and he assured the Members that any contractor involved with the installation of gas was Gas Safety Registered and had to leave a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate.

            Several Members stated that, following the changes to the frontline services in the NIHE, there appeared to be much confusion as to who tenants now needed to contact to report issues. 

            The representative advised that the NIHE had endeavoured to communicate these changes effectively to the community.  Housing Executive representatives had attended meetings of the Housing Community Networks to explain the changes and he stated that he would be willing to facilitate meetings to community groups if it would be helpful. 

            Mrs Hawthorn referred to a ‘Who, What, Where’ contact information booklet that had previously been circulated to Members and she undertook to forward an updated information pamphlet.  The Democratic Services Officer advised that she would ensure this was circulated to all the Elected Members of Council and suggested that this be uploaded to the new Members’ Portal where it would be available for all the Members to access. 

Noted.