To debate a Motion submitted by the Opposition Group in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

TOWER HAMLETS COMMUNITY HOUSING

Council considered a motion as printed in the agenda relating to Tower Hamlets Community Housing, that had been moved by Councillor Marc Francis and seconded by Councillor Asma Islam.

Council also considered the amendment proposed by Councillor Kabir Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Abdul Mannan, as set out in the supplementary agenda.

ADDITIONS - BOLD

DELETIONS - STRUCKTHROUGH

This Council notes:

·       THCH was founded by stock transfers from LBTH and for many years delivered high-quality housing management as well as the regeneration of estates and community development;

·       THCH was recently downgraded to a G3 and V3-rating by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) for both governance and financial viability;

·       The RSH has encouraged THCH to be taken over by another housing association and THCH has subsequently begun a consultation on a merger with Poplar HARCA;

·       The RSH has a very poor track record in enforcing mergers between housing associations in Tower Hamlets and doesn’t proactively take any account of residents’ views.

·       That the Mayor has twice met with THCH residents to hear and discuss their concerns, and has instructed Officers to monitor the merger and any adverse impacts on them.

·       That the Mayor and Officers are reviewing RSL performance more broadly and are preparing a new policy on strengthening governance.

·       That in October the Social Housing Ombudsman is coming to the Town Hall for an event to be chaired by the Mayor to address all RSL residents concerns.

This Council believes:

·       THCH tenants and leaseholders deserve a much better service than they have been getting from their landlord for several years;

·       LBTH has an ongoing obligation to residents living on those estates transferred to ensure the promises made by are delivered consistently;

·       Enforced mergers of local stock transfer housing associations have sometimes resulted in residents receiving an even worse service from the social landlord they join;

·       The views of tenants and leaseholders in the future of their housing association should be paramount in any decision by the Board of THCH and the RSH.

This Council resolves:

·       To call on the Mayor to make representations to the RSH calling for the views of residents of THCH to be fully taken into account prior to a decision on any merger;

·       To call on the Mayor to instruct council officers to urgently undertake a feasibility on the financial and practical implications of requesting a return of THCH stock to LBTH;

·       To call on the Mayor to arrange a public meeting with residents of THCH to hear to listen directly to their experience of its services and thoughts what should happen.

·       To continue supporting those residents affected by the merger and to ensure good channels of communication are maintained for those residents’ concerns;

·       To support the Social Housing Ombudsman event taking place in October and encourage concerned THCH residents to attend.

·       To support the Mayor in his efforts to strengthen RSL governance and resident engagement, and ensure that the services they provide improve.

Following debate, the amendment moved by Councillor Kabir Ahmed was put to the vote and was agreed.

The motion as amended by Councillor Kabir Ahmed was put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED

This Council notes:

·       THCH was founded by stock transfers from LBTH and for many years delivered high-quality housing management as well as the regeneration of estates and community development;

·       THCH was recently downgraded to a G3 and V3-rating by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) for both governance and financial viability;

·       The RSH has encouraged THCH to be taken over by another housing association and THCH has subsequently begun a consultation on a merger with Poplar HARCA;

·       The RSH has a very poor track record in enforcing mergers between housing associations in Tower Hamlets and doesn’t proactively take any account of residents’ views.

·       That the Mayor has twice met with THCH residents to hear and discuss their concerns, and has instructed Officers to monitor the merger and any adverse impacts on them.

·       That the Mayor and Officers are reviewing RSL performance more broadly and are preparing a new policy on strengthening governance.

·       That in October the Social Housing Ombudsman is coming to the Town Hall for an event to be chaired by the Mayor to address all RSL residents concerns.

This Council believes:

·       THCH tenants and leaseholders deserve a much better service than they have been getting from their landlord for several years;

·       LBTH has an ongoing obligation to residents living on those estates transferred to ensure the promises made by are delivered consistently;

·       Enforced mergers of local stock transfer housing associations have sometimes resulted in residents receiving an even worse service from the social landlord they join;

·       The views of tenants and leaseholders in the future of their housing association should be paramount in any decision by the Board of THCH and the RSH.

This Council resolves:

·       To call on the Mayor to make representations to the RSH calling for the views of residents of THCH to be fully taken into account prior to a decision on any merger;

·       To continue supporting those residents affected by the merger and to ensure good channels of communication are maintained for those residents’ concerns;

·       To support the Social Housing Ombudsman event taking place in October and encourage concerned THCH residents to attend.

·       To support the Mayor in his efforts to strengthen RSL governance and resident engagement, and ensure that the services they provide improve.