The recommendations were amended and then approved.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.            To note the findings of Altair’s independent review of current housing management arrangements and appraisal of future options (Appendix 1 to the report).

2.            To note the outcome of the recent consultation exercise (Appendix 2 to the report) and agree to proceed with the extension of the Council’s management agreement with Tower Hamlets Homes for four years (to 2024), with a possible extension for a further four years (to 2028).

3.            To delegate to the Corporate Director (Place) after consultation with the Corporate Director (Governance), authority to complete the said extension by July 2020 and do all that is necessary for this purpose including negotiating and approving a revised Management Agreement.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Interim Divisional Director, Housing and Regeneration (M. Baigent)

(ALMO Client Manager (J. Kiwanuka)

Councillor Sirajul Islam, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report. He explained how the Council had appointed external advisors to carry out a review of Tower Hamlets Homes to determine the best future model for provision of the housing service. The report had been published and consulted on with residents.

During discussion Members heard from the Tower Hamlets Federation of Tenant and Resident Associations who expressed a desire for the service to be brought back ‘in-house’ at the Council. They also considered that the consultation exercise was insufficient.

The Mayor heard about the details of the consultation exercise that had taken place, confirmed he was comfortable that Tower Hamlets Homes could be kept fully accountable to the Council and noted the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Finally, he agreed a minor amendment to the recommendations to clarify the officer delegations and agreed the recommendations as amended.

RESOLVED

1.            To note the findings of Altair’s independent review of current housing management arrangements and appraisal of future options (Appendix 1 to the report).

2.            To note the outcome of the recent consultation exercise (Appendix 2 to the report) and agree to proceed with the extension of the Council’s management agreement with Tower Hamlets Homes for four years (to 2024), with a possible extension for a further four years (to 2028).

3.            To delegate to the Corporate Director (Place) after consultation with the Corporate Director (Governance), authority to complete the said extension by July 2020 and do all that is necessary for this purpose including negotiating and approving a revised Management Agreement.