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

contact: Linda Walker, Monitoring Officer, Tel: 0207 364 4348

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests, however for transparency, Councillor Mohammad Choudhury declared he is a Tower Hamlets Tenant, Mahbub Anam declared he is a Tower Hamlets Tenant and Susanna Kow declared she is a Tower Hamlets Leaseholder. 

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting held on 02 December 2024.

The minutes of the Sub Committee meeting held on 02 December 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record of proceedings.

Councillor Mohammed Choudhury queried why Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Associations KPI data was not included in the minutes from the last meeting as requested. Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing are not part of Tower Hamlets Housing Forum (THHF) and are not included in performance figures.

Paul Burgess, Strategy and Policy Officer, informed Members that no updates from the previous meeting were received, other than details on the Regulator for Social Housing’s Inspection and timetable, which was circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee RESOLVED;

1.      That the Action log be noted.

Mubin Chowdhury, Performance Improvement Analyst, presented the Social Landlords Performance Report from eleven housing organisations for quarters 1&2 of 2024/25. It was noted that that the report has been redesigned to accommodate ease of access. Providence Row Housing Association had the highest resident complaints per hundred properties, although, they have improved considerably from quarter one to quarter two. Spitalfields Housing reported the least number of complaints.

Members were informed that three registered providers (RP’s) responded to 100% of complaints on time and four RP’s responded to almost all complaints on time for relets and vacant units. Tower Hamlets Council received the second highest complaints and four registered providers  reported an average wait time of less than 50 days for standard relets with three others reporting an average wait time of less than 50 days for major work relets.

Following questions from the sub-committee, Officers;

•         Clarified that only data from housing associations within the Tower Hamlets Housing Forum (THHF) are presented at this meeting. If Members require performance details on Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association or any other RPS in the borough, a request would have to be made to them, although they are not obliged to provide it.

•         Confirmed that all RP’s including ones not part of THHF were recently invited to a provider session to discuss the Grenfell Tower inquiry. It was noted that a second all provider session will be held to discuss damp and mould in due course.

•         Explained that the details on Tower Hamlets Council’s performance related to quarter 1 and quarter 2 up to December 2024. The figures also relate to historical under investment in the Capital programme. Following an increase in the  housing revenue account business plan, this should improve performance going forward.

•         Noted that the borough has the highest number of high-rise properties in London, in varying states of repair, age and condition. It is anticipated that all stock condition surveys will be complete by December 2026.

•         Observed that the majority of complaints are around repairs, not getting through to or receiving a telephone response from the contact centre and residents not receiving details on the next steps of a complex repair. There has been an increase in staff presence in buildings, to ensure residents can voice their concerns and receive more frequent updates. More resources are available in the contact centre and ‘next steps’ cards to inform residents of what to expect with on-going repairs, with contact details will be provided.

• Noted the various reasons for Council homes falling below acceptable standards, including a lack of asset management staff available and the number of ALMOS (Arms-Length Management Organisation) decreasing.

• Observed that some housing associations, such as Poplar Harca, received investment from a stock transfer program to enable a decent homes standard for its stock.

•         Explained that complaint learning is being conducted to establish root causes of repair concerns. Tower Hamlets Council’s preferred contractor has been asked to increase their resources to complete overdue repairs, which lessens  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

David Joyce, Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration, introduced the presentation on resident engagement and work of the Tenant Voice Panel. Members were informed that the panel is integral to the resident engagement structure and thanked residents who have participated.

Lesley Owen, Business Development and Information Manager, noted that the panel, established in 2024 after Tower Hamlets Homes was brought in-house, is a resident led voice to ensure Council tenants concerns are heard and acted upon. The panel is comprised of 8 tenants and three leaseholders, although there are 3 tenant vacancies available. The panel’s remit includes the following:

?        A consultative body (related to housing) on policies, strategies, service and design.

?        An advisory and challenge forum, which uses data to oversee performance and make recommendations.

?        Scrutiny function to undertake reviews and make recommendations.

Details on available training were noted and consideration will be given to tailored training from Tpas, the tenant engagement experts.

Danielle LaMarch, a Tenant’s Voice panel member, then explained that meetings take place bi-monthly to discuss performance measures, complaints analysis and report training, so residents can have a better understanding of some of the estates discussed at meetings. It was noted that performance measures have now been agreed and are reported at each meeting.

Ms LaMarche then stressed the importance of reaching residents who may not be digitally inclined or have mental health challenges, so that updates on resident concerns or improvements can be given. The panel also enables members to sit at other group meetings, as well as discuss engagement strategies for vulnerable residents.

Discussions are conducted in relation to, for instance, a draught policy for vulnerable residents, or information or the Council's strategic vision, to examine if the information provided is accessible and easy to comprehend.

Members were informed of the panel’s work to date, which included updates on regulation, social housing and consumer standards. The panel has also undertaken discussions on how vulnerable residents can receive support on repairs, when English is not their first language.

Following questions by the sub-committee, Officers;

•         Agreed that younger residents, and families from different ethnic backgrounds would improve the diversity of the panel and consideration will be given to this.

•         Observed that Tenant Resident Association (TRA) post holders were initially excluded as a variety of voices were sought. The Tenants Voice Panel is intended to assist all residents, not just one group of individuals in a particular block that has a TRA to speak for them. They inform residents on issues of concern and help them stay informed with leaflets and videos on damp and mould and other issues of concern.

•         Noted that the panel are examining concerns around vulnerable residents and the Council and recommendations will be actioned.

•         Confirmed that a report from the Tenants Voice Panel will be submitted to the newly formed Housing Management (Cabinet) Sub-Committee.

•         Housing Officers and Community Partnerships team work to assist tenants and residents associations and also support residents who wish to establish one.

Members requested Resident Engagement be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.2

David Joyce, Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, introduced the compliance and regulations regarding Fire Safety. Darren Cruice, Head of Housing Asset Management and Compliance, then outlined the Building Safety Act 2005, which stipulated that  there should be a responsible or suitable person(s) to undertake sufficient risk assessments and to ensure fire precautions are in place. The amended Fire Safety Act 2021 stipulates that all risk assessments should include cladding, windows, balconies and front entrance doors.

Mr Cruice noted that fire risk assessments (FRA) have begun on all high rise buildings in the borough, with three completed and approximately 75 buildings pending over the next four years. Members were informed that additional funding has been provided in order to conduct structural and fire safety surveys. Extensive resident engagement with tenants and leaseholders is taking place to assess approximately 930 blocks of flats, with approximately 330 over 11 metres high and 78 blocks over 18 metres high.

Members heard the challenges with inspecting around 13,000 front doors annually and the work to remove ACM cladding from various blocks such as Randall House. Details of how the works are undertaken were noted, including:

o        FRA’s

?        every 12 months for buildings over 18 metres in height.

?        every 3 years for buildings over 11 metres and over.

?        every 4 years for buildings below 11 metres in height.

o        Specialist officers.

o        FRA assessor and fire engineers.

o        Programme of fire engineering reports (FRA external walls / means of escape / compartmentation / fire strategies)

o        10 Building Safety Officers (BSO’s)

o        Fire Marshalls in two blocks

Mr Cruice also noted the additional assistance provided to vulnerable residents, this included implementing additional safety devices for visually and hearing impaired and identifying any concerns within high-rise buildings that could pose issues to residents. Details of assurance and governance processes, such as the fortnightly Remedial Actions meetings for upcoming works, the monthly Performance Board meetings, and the Penningtons compliance audits, data validity audits, and building safety gap analysis.

Ian Morrison, Interim Director, Property and Assets, next discussed how Damp and Mould is identified and treated and went through the processes:

o        Priority 1: for severe damp. A surveyor assesses the amount of remedial works required. If there is a serious harm to health, a contractor will remove within 24 hours.

o        Priority 2: for low levels of damp and mould. An order is raised for the contractor to attend the property within 7 days to remediate.

Mr Morrison then outlined the various types of mould which can appear, such as; condensation on the walls, rising and penetrating damp that comes through the walls or from the floor and lastly persistent leaks from washing machines, lavatories or pipes that have not been checked. Members were informed that with severe damp and mould cases, some families are decanted from their home so remedial work can be done. Treatment is a three-step process that takes all day and ensures that mould does not return.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.3

Paul Burgess, Strategy and Policy Officer, informed Members that an overview of the Council's improvement plan following the best value report has been scheduled for 27 February 2025. Members were urged to attend.

Mr. Burgess then informed Members that the newly formed Housing Management (Cabinet) Sub-Committee meetings will be held before Cabinet positioned in a similar manner to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and pre decision scrutiny questions will be made available to Members. The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee meetings are set to increase in municipal year 2025/26.