There were no declarations of pecuniary interests.

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED:

To note the actions log.

Lead: Karen Swift, Divisional Director for Housing and Regeneration.

18:40-19:25 (15 min presentation followed by 30 min Q&A)

The committee received the report and presentation of Karen Swift (Divisional Director of Housing & Regeneration).

In response to the report the following discussion took place:

·         Officers agreed to provide the committee with the number of under occupiers. They estimated the figure would be around 400-500 but would confirm the figures post meeting.

·         There was a discussion on buy back and how many were being purchased from private and social landlords. It was noted that some buy backs were from Poplar Harca. Officers agreed to provide further details on buy backs.

·         There was a discussion that shared ownership was unfeasible for most working people. Officers said they were working with developers early on to negotiate an intermediate rent offer. Members urged officers to continue their efforts for more affordable rents.

·         There was a discussion on London boroughs setting up social lettings agencies. Capital Letters was a London wide attempt to change the housing dynamics in London. 28 million was sourced in LHGH funding. Thirteen London boroughs signed up to the initiative and had secured around 160 private let properties in the last year. 38 million in funding has also been sourced by capital letters to encourage collaborative working between boroughs.

·         It was noted that the billingsgate market site was leased to the City but there were plans for CBI to procure the space in 60 years’ time. Members said this was a potential site to deliver thousands of new homes and asked if the council could intervene in future development of the site. Officers said it may be out of their remit but they would investigate.

·         Members agreed that the bidding process was inefficient and it was agreed that a spotlight scrutiny session on bidding should be included in the committee’s forward plan.

·         Members wanted to know how much housing has come from the council’s own effort and how much of it was from S.106 money. Officers said they could provide the figures.

·         Members wanted to know how many homes were expected to be built by 2023 and a list of providers expected to build the developments.  Members also wanted a definition of what ‘affordable’ meant. Officers summarised there rent was a complex issue due to the three different tiers of rents. There was the GLA target rate and the Tower Hamlets Living Rent which was sometimes slightly higher. They said rates varied to enable a range of incomes to bid.

·         A member of the public made a statement to the Chair that the housing bidding process was unfair to single people as the number of single people had increased but homes were not planned for single occupiers. Concerns were raised that the situation was leading to more young single people being forced into the private sector and homelessness was a risk if they experienced job insecurity.  An article on the topic was circulated to Members.

·         A representative from Wellington Estate Tenants and Residents Association made a statement in opposition to the development of the Canal Club Site due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

LEAD: Michael Ritchie, Strategic Planning.

19:25-20:10 (15 minute presentation followed by 30 minutes Q&A)

In response to the presentation Members wanted to find out if planners had taken into consideration school place planning and child yield.  Officers said research had been conducted and they would share this with the committee.

ACTION: Michael Ritchie to share research on school place planning and child yield in planning and development in the borough.

RESOLVED:

To note the presentation.

LEAD: Karen Swift, Divisional Director for Housing and Regeneration.

20:10-20:20 (10 minutes, verbal update)

The committee briefly discussed topics to add to the next municipal year’s work plan. The following suggestions were made:

·         A scrutiny review session in the work programme on the housing bidding process.

·         Damages to new builds post-handover and the common housing register.

·         Efficiency of common allocation.

·         Site visits and mystery shopping.

·         Housing Options looking at issues.

·         Explore mixed ownership on estates and potential equalities impacts.

RESOLVED:

To note work programme suggestions.

Members raised a concern from their constituents that Tower Hamlets Homes were conducting mental health assessments alongside fire safety assessments which tenants were unhappy about. Karen Swift said she would contact THH to explore the issue and feed back to the committee.

The committee RESOLVED to take the following action:

ACTION: for Karen Swift to Contact THH for an explanation on how fire safety assessments were being conducted.

To note the document.

RESOLVED:

To note the document.