Decision details
The future of the housing stock: proposals for future ownership, investment and management
Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To consider the recent review of Brent housing stock, consider options for its future ownership, investment and management (including the future of Brent Housing Partnership) and make recommendations for future arrangements.
Decision:
(i) that in the light of the recent Housing Revenue Account settlement, the Council retains ownership of its existing housing stock;
(ii) that in the light of the recent Independent Review of Housing Management, the Council consults tenants and residents on a preferred option to manage the housing stock through Brent Housing Partnership, as an Optimised Arms Length Management Organisation focusing strongly on housing management;
(iii) that a new management agreement between the Council and Brent Housing Partnership be drafted, with full heads of terms to be completed by October 2011;
(iv) that in considering how best to optimise BHP, a full review is undertaken of the following functions (to be completed by October 2011), with a view to delivering improvements and efficiencies:
human resources
finance processing
communications
legal
procurement
contract alignment
rent accounting
rent collection
aids and adaptations
(v) that a joint governance review is undertaken between the Council and Brent Housing Partnership (to be completed by October 2011), which will review both the BHP Board structure and the relationship between the Council and BHP, with a view to ensuring that BHP is fit for purpose for the duration of the proposed new management agreement;
(vi) that following the outcome of the consultation as set out in paragraph (ii) above and after the reviews set out in paragraphs (iv) and (v) above have been carried out, a report is presented to the Executive in early 2012 regarding a final decision on the future role of BHP and the management of the Council’s housing stock after the current BHP Management Agreement expires in September 2012.
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Internal
Contact: Perry Singh, Housing Needs/Private Sector Email: perry.singh@brent.gov.uk Tel: 020 8937 2332.
Report author: Perry Singh
Publication date: 20/07/2011
Date of decision: 18/07/2011
Decided at meeting: 18/07/2011 - Executive
Accompanying Documents: