Agenda item
Brent’s Housing Associations: scrutiny task group report (July 2016)
This report updates Housing Scrutiny Committee on the changes made to the Council’s work with Housing Associations in Brent, and relates these to the recommendations in the scrutiny task group report of July 2016.
Minutes:
Phil Porter (Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing) introduced the report which updated members on changes made to the Council’s work with Housing Associations in Brent and related these recommendations to the scrutiny task group report of July 2016.
The report provided a detailed update against a range of recommendations, demonstrating continuing commitment to a more productive and proactive approach and transforming the relationship with Housing Associations in order to achieve the aims as set out in the Housing Strategy - such as increasing supply of affordable housing, improving the standard of social housing and developing resident engagement. Members heard that most actions from the report had been completed or had expired.
In the discussion which followed, members made enquiries about a range of issues in the report. With regards to information given to residents about future service charges in respect of right to buy (RTB) and service charge payment options, Hakeem Osinaike (Operational Director Housing) explained that the process was statutory and information on potential charges must be provided to tenants in advance of the purchase. He drew members’ attention to the fact that some suspicious RTB cases were referred to the Audit team for further checks and investigation. However, in general if an individual met the requirements under the government’s RTB scheme, the Council had no choice but to sell the property.
Referencing recommendation 12 from paragraph 3.3 in the report, a member sought further clarification on how much Council owned land was available that could be offered up to housing associations or partners for development. Mr Porter explained that a range of objectives had to be considered and that the total amount of land available would depend upon the specific site or other possible uses for the site. Officers assured members that an asset management strategy was being planned that would look into this and other property related matters in more detail.
In the context of Housing Associations, a member also sought more information on Housing Association forums (HAF) as a platform for developing discussion amongst residents but also expressing collective concerns. Officers advised that the aim was to empower residents to take a more pro-active approach with the Council working alongside them and supporting them. Due to the pioneering nature of these forums as well as their increasingly geographical focus it was proving a challenging task. Nevertheless, officers welcomed anyone willing to join the HAFs and expressed commitment to develop a wider forum and build stronger bilateral relations with residents.
Finally, with reference to paragraph 4.3 from the report about right to stay, a member questioned the idea about criteria for fixed term tenancy and requested more information to be shared with the Committee. Members asked if any of the fixed term tenancies had come up for review and if there was a policy in place to handle these requests. Hakeem Osinaike replied that there was no policy as yet but this was being addressed and once available would be brought back to the Committee and would undergo extensive resident consultation.
Responding to members enquiries on whether Brent had adopted the Pay to Stay Policy under the Housing and Planning Act, Mr Osinaike explained that although this policy was expected to be introduced, it was not currently seen as a priority and had no set timescales at this stage.
RESOLVED that:
i. The contents of the Brent’s Housing Associations: scrutiny task group report (July 2016) report be noted
ii. Information on pay to stay be shared with the Committee
iii. Contact details of designated housing officers be shared with the Committee
Supporting documents: