Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 68 KB
To note any declarations of
interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from
voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local
Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Monitoring
Officer.
Minutes:
There were no declarations of pecuniary
interests.
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2. |
COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE:
Minutes:
Housing Scrutiny
Sub-Committee Terms of Reference Report 2018/19
There was one point of
clarification with regard to 3.1.2 of the Terms of Reference. It
was clarified that the paragraph is referring to ‘housing
reports’ in general across the borough as opposed to solely
Tower Hamlets Homes.
RESOLVED
i.
To note the Terms of Reference
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2.1 |
Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee Terms of Reference Report 2018/19 PDF 80 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There was one point of clarification with
regard to 3.1.2 of the Terms of Reference. It was clarified that
the paragraph is referring to ‘housing reports’ in
general across the borough as opposed to solely Tower Hamlets
Homes.
RESOLVED
i.
To note the Terms of Reference
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3. |
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 95 KB
To confirm as a correct record
the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee
held on 19 March 2018.
Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 March
2018 were approved as an accurate record and signed by the
Chair.
RESOLVED
I.
To note approve the minutes of the last meeting.
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4. |
ACTIONS LOG PDF 47 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There was one remaining item on the actions
log from 2017/18, this was a suggestion to hold a spotlight session
on service charges to leaseholders to the work programme 2018/19.
The committee resolved to discuss this in the work programming
session held after this meeting.
RESOLVED
i.
To note the topic for discussion.
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5. |
APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
Minutes:
The Chair sought nominations for the position
of Vice-Chair. The Chair nominated Councillor Dan Tomlinson.
Councillor Tomlinson was seconded by Councillor Muhammad Harun.
RESOLVED
i.
To appoint Councillor Dan Tomlinson as the Vice-Chair of
Housing.
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6. |
INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING IN TOWER HAMLETS PDF 259 KB
Presented by Mark Baigent, Interim Divisional
Director Regeneration and Sustainability.
Minutes:
The Committee received a short
presentation from Mark Baigent, Interim Divisional Director for
Housing and Regeneration.
Key
points from the presentation:
- Some of the
areas the council has been particularly focussing on have included
increasing housing supply with a target of 1000 new homes a year,
estate regeneration, prevention of rough sleeping.
- Fire safety
has been a high priority.
- The
government would be publishing a green paper on the Homelessness
Reduction Act 2017. It was recommended this topic be incorporated
into the forward plan.
- Mayor of
London will be publishing a new Rough Sleeping Strategy in
2018
- Challenges
include: tackling homelessness, implementation of the Housing
Revenue Act 2017, housing supply and regeneration, increased costs
for fire safety.
- Opportunities ahead include, self-build, Community Land Trusts,
Poplar Riverside Masterplan and the Isle of Dogs Planning
Framework.
Comments from Members:
- Page 30 states that 32% of units were
affordable how many units does this
cover?
- A Member
suggested the Committee consider a review of planning permission at
the Council.
- Out of the
800 homes which ones are progressing as affordable?
- Affordable homes was
suggested as a work programme topic.
- The
Government recently announced a £400
million fire safety fund will the Council be
bidding for this?
Response from Officers:
- The Council
will not be bidding for part of the £400 million fund for
fire safety, it will likely support registered providers in bidding
for it because they are most likely to be in need of the
fund.
- The
definition of affordability in planning terms includes shared
ownership, rented at below market rent and council social rented
properties. 70% of homes in the affordable bracket are socially
rented.
- A new rate
has been introduced called Tower Hamlets Living Rent. This option
costs slightly more than social rent.
- Last year
1000 new builds were defined as
‘affordable’.
The Chair thanked Mark Baigent
for his presentation.
RESOLVED:
i.
To note the presentation.
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7. |
INTRODUCTION TO TOWER HAMLETS HOMES PDF 852 KB
Presented by Susmita Sen, Chief Executive,
Tower Hamlets Homes.
Minutes:
The
Committee received a presentation from Susmita Sen, Chief Executive
of Tower Hamlets Homes.
Key points:
- Tower
Hamlets Homes (THH) is the Council’s arm’s length
management organisation for Housing. It is wholly owned by the
Council as it’s only shareholder
- THH carries
out Council management of homes such as repairs, tenants and
leasehold management, fire safety, community investment, engagement
with police.
- Investing
in communities is part of their ethos and they produce a community
investment strategy as part of their business plan.
- They have a
growing portfolio of leaseholders of which approximately half are
sub-lets.
- They are
run by a board of directors both independent and elected
councillors
- They work
with the voluntary sector to share expertise.
- Their
caretakers work on risk management.
- They
conducted fire risk assessments on all of their properties and
found all were fit for purpose.
- Further to
an online survey of over two thousand residents, feedback found
that there was an appetite for more online services.
- Tackling
Anti-Social Behaviour was identified as a key priority, ASB has reduced by 48% on THH
estates.
- THH has
provided significant apprenticeship opportunities.
- Some issues
they have experienced include rent arrears due to the transition
towards Universal Credit. They worked with voluntary sector
charities such as account3 to help residents manage their money.
Other issues included hoarding and illegal sub-letting.
- THH’s
5 year plan and capital works information can be accessed on their
website.
-
It was noted that the THH management agreement was
in review.
Comments from Members:
- Members
asked about the financial sustainability of the police
unit.
- A question
was asked about the Council review of THH. Officers responded that
any review should have the best interest of the residents at
heart.
- A Member
asked if THH had a financial deficit. It was confirmed that THH
have never been in deficit and have reserves.
- Members
asked about the impact of Universal Credit. THH officers agreed
that it was important to carry out financial inclusion work with
residents to prevent rent arrears.
RESOLVED
i.
To note the presentation.
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8. |
PARTNERSHIP WORKING - TOWER HAMLETS HOUSING FORUM PDF 257 KB
Minutes:
In Sandra Fawcett’s
absence, Mark Baigent introduced the item.
Overview of Tower Hamlets Housing Forum:
- It was
noted the aim of THHF was to bring local housing providers together
to work in partnership to deliver quality home and services to
their residents.
- They meet
to share best practice to discuss issues and current
policies.
- They have
several sub-groups in areas such as anti-social behaviour, asset
management and benchmarking sub-groups.
- They
support the Council in its delivery of the strategic housing and
community plan.
- It was
noted Godfrey Heyman would be leaving
THHF.
Comments from Members:
- There was a
request to get an overview of the scale and geography of registered
providers in the borough. Mark Baigent said he could provide a map
for information.
- There was a
request to invite other registered providers to the meeting for
feedback and discussion this municipal year. For Zakia Variava to
follow up on.
RESOLVED:
i.
To note the
presentation.
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9. |
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minutes:
There was no other business discussed.
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10. |
WORK PROGRAMMING SESSION
To set the forward plan for the
Committee’s work for the year.
Minutes:
This was a private workshop between Members to
discuss work programming for 2018/19.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 11 September
2018, 6.30pm, Room 701, Town Hall Mulberry Place.
(Post meeting note -
the next meeting was rescheduled to 26 September
2018 due to a clash with Rosh Hashannahon on 11
September).
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