Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

Further Advice contact: Linda Walker, Interim Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer, Tel: 0207 364 4348

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests, however, Councillor Amin Rahman declared he sits on the Tower Hamlets Community Housing Board.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2024/25. Councillor Ahmodul Kabir proposed Councillor Amin Rahman for the position. This was seconded by Councillor Ana Miah.

There were no further nominations received.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Elect Councillor Amin Rahman the Vice-Chair of the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

Justina Bridgeman, Democratic Services Officer requested members to note the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s terms of reference, membership, quorum and meeting dates for the municipal year 2023/25. The terms of reference were agreed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 21 May 2024.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note it’s terms of reference, quorum, membership and meeting dates as set out in appendices 1,2 and 3 of the report pending minor amendments for appendix 3.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2024.

The minutes of the Sub Committee meeting held on 13 May 2024 were signed and approved as a correct record of proceedings.

Paul Burgess, Strategy and Policy Officer, circulated the actions which had no updates on overdue items. Work is ongoing with the Director of Housing and Regeneration to close these down by the next sub-committee meeting in September.

Members were also informed that following the last meeting of the previous municipal year; where residents of Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) gave feedback, Anita Khan, CEO refuted residents claims. The housing provider will be invited to the sub-committee to discuss data and performance concerns once the work programme is finalised.

A request has been made to Mayor Lutfur Rahman to initiate a formal request to meet with the Minister for Housing, the Regulator for Social Housing, and MPs to investigate THCH performance concerns on behalf of residents. The sub-committee will be updated once further details have been received.

Paul also noted that at a scrutiny work program held on 13 June, Steve Halsey, Chief Executive Officer, proposed to increase the frequency of Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and Sub-committees. Once the final outcome is determined, amendments can be implemented in the terms and conditions.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the first item, and presented an update on the target for delivering 4000 new affordable homes between 2022 and 2026.

Members were informed of the economic challenges, the private sector delivery and Council led housebuilding, with the latter requiring significant resources to deliver and expand the programme.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed noted that housing build starts across all tenures decreased by 24%, and new building regulations for new buildings over 18 metres are now required to install secondary staircases. This has meant that certain programmes were required to return to the planning stage to accommodate this.

The 40% inflation rise has also affected developers. Both the Council’s Planning and Housing Delivery teams are currently working with developers to assist in the completion of programmes. Housing providers are also reluctant to start new programs, due to the cost of extensive repairs for existing properties.

Further to questions from the sub-committee, Councillor Kabir Ahmed and Officers;

·       Confirmed that a written brief detailing the  breakdown of the 459 affordable units completed in 2023-24 will be presented to the sub-committee for review.

·       Clarified that development completion is dependent on the size of the site. As an example, the initial planning application for the former News International site in Wapping took place in 2012. The completion of the project is still ongoing.

·       Clarified the four sites as; The Great Eastern Enterprise Centre, South Bay Plaza, Poplar Transformation Centre, Union Bridge TSC building and Spire London, Hertsmere House. Members were informed that these sites contain all tenured units.

·       The GLA definition of affordable housing is any social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing provided to eligible households, whose needs are not met by the market.

·       Clarified that tenders went out in April and the selection questionnaire process will then determine who is selected for detailed evaluation. A report will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the year and details of preferred contract holders will be confirmed by February 2025.

·       Explained that there are approximately 10,000 homes that could receive planning permission and are at various stages of development. Some are awaiting the completion of section 106 agreements; some have gone through Committee stage and some awaiting approval at Committee. Among these homes, approximately a quarter of them are classified as affordable across all tenures, as per the GLA definition.

·       Confirmed that the Planning, Capital delivery and Housing Delivery teams are working with housing providers on joint ventures to reduce issues that could delay progress, such as assistance with registered providers (PR) or receiving a PR. Work is also ongoing to mediate in these instances. Consideration is also being given to invest with housing providers through buyback schemes as well as GLA match funding.

·       Clarified that the term delivery means when properties are officially signed off by the Building Control team as completed. At present there are 30 sites currently undergoing construction which will deliver 2,519 affordable homes in the borough once completed.

·       Explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

Councillor Kabir Ahmed introduced update which included the Capital Programme Expenditure for 2023-24. Members were informed that the original Budget £26.368m was revised mid-year to £20 million, due to a drop in the volume of work initially forecast. Details of completed works were noted, including electrical testing for 5,042 households, 355 domestic boiler replacements, 380 fire safe replacement doors and 53  replacement kitchens.

Details of the tenant satisfaction surveys were also noted as were challenges with contractors and increases to materials, labour costs and building regulation changes. Michael Kileen, the Director of Asset Management, further explained the challenges within the last two years, particularly a lack of interest with contractors on delivering kitchen and bathroom upgrades, which hindered the programme. There have also been delays due to the increased value of complex works and fire safety concerns. This resulted in some projects being deferred.

Further to questions from the sub-committee, Councillor Kabir Ahmed and Officers;

·       Confirmed that the ‘Fabric First’ approach will be utilised to identify historical repairs, buildings with high levels of damp and mould or similar issues within older blocks, which  will be implemented into the programme of repairs. Preventive measures will also be undertaken.

·       Requested that any issues with damp and mould in specific wards be forwarded to Councillor Kabir Ahmed and Officers for further investigation. A breakdown of repairs undertaken to resolve issues of damp and mould will be brought back to the sub-committee for review.

·       Explained that THH have 928 blocks will 77  subjected to the new Gateway assessments, as they are over 18 metres high. Future planning is currently underway to establish fire safety operations, in anticipation of new building regulations that may further affect works. Upgrades on insulating windows and roofs are still being implemented.

·       Confirmed that some of the  4,158 street properties are planned for improvements although there have been delays in works. An update on the programme will be forwarded to the sub-committee for review.

·       Noted that the revised 2 year programme will commence on 31 July 2024 and details of the Capital programme will be available on the Council website for review.

·       Clarified that structural steel works commenced in early January 2023 and residents from Angela House were decanted. The delays occurred due to material supply and contract issues; however, works are progressing.

·       Confirmed that Brewster and Maltings House works are now completed and scaffolding has been removed.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee RESOLVED:

1.    That a breakdown of repairs undertaken to resolve issues of damp and mould be brought back to the sub-committee for review.

2.    That an update on the street properties programme be brought back to the sub-committee for review.

3.    That the presentation be noted

Paul Burgess informed Members that a scrutiny work program is currently being developed and any items they wish to be added should be forwarded to him.