Issue - meetings

The report seeks approval for the work that will lay the foundations for improving life on the St Raphael’s Estate.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        Cabinet would work with residents and tenants to set up a governance structure which will oversee this project.

    ii.        Cabinet agreed to officers progressing work on the St Raphael’s Estate to assess potential housing improvement and development opportunities for the estate.

   iii.        Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform for the award of contract for a Multi-disciplinary Design Team and other key consultants as required including cost consultants.

   iv.        Cabinet agreed that an Estate ballot, would take place prior to any final decision to proceed with option 2 as set out in the report.

    v.        Cabinet noted that officers were working on establishing a partnership arrangement with Network Homes and Peabody Trust to take forward any future development of the St Raphael’s Estate with any final agreement subject to approval by Cabinet.

   vi.        Cabinet noted that an update would be provided to Cabinet at appropriate points in the programme.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt, welcomed Mary Rands to the meeting. Ms Rands explained that she has lived on the St Raphael’s estate since it was built in 1975. Ms Rands informed the Cabinet that she had attended the public meeting at Henderson House on the potential development of the estate. She expressed concern at the proposed consultation, stating her belief that the result was a foregone conclusion. She asked Cabinet for clarity about secured tenancies. Ms Rands asked the Cabinet what would freeholders / leaseholders gain if they sell a property?

Councillor Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, thanked Ms Rands for her contribution and reiterated that the Council is committed to enabling residents make decisions about where they live.

Councillor Southwood stated that the prospect to build brand new homes that meet the needs of the families who live on St Raphael’s estate was a unique opportunity.

Councillor Southwood stated that the report for consideration seeks approval for the work that will lay the foundations for improving life on the St Raphael’s Estate. She emphasised that, through robust consultation and engagement, tenants and the community will decide on the best way of doing this.

Councillor Southwood stated that depending on the outcomes of consultation, there will be the opportunity to build brand new homes that meet the needs of families who live on St Raphael’s whilst continuing to play our part in tackling London’s shortage of good quality and genuinely affordable housing.

Councillor Southwood stated that despite the financial pressures arising from Government budget reductions imposed upon local authorities, the Council has a unique opportunity to make a difference on the estate. Through the engagement to date, the Council has heard that there are issues that the local residents would wish the Council to address and equally the Council would wish to get to work with the community on making things better, starting with engaging the community in a proper masterplanning process. She stated that residents are generally positive

about life on the estate, but there is a strong sense that it could, and should, be a much nicer place to live.

Councillor Mili Patel, Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care, welcomed the report but encouraged officers within the Council’s Housing and Regeneration teams to identify a young people’s liaison person.

Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive, stated that the intention is to employ an agency which will act as Independent Adviser to the tenants and other residents.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        Cabinet would work with residents and tenants to set up a governance structure which will oversee this project.

    ii.        Cabinet agreed to officers progressing work on the St Raphael’s Estate to assess potential housing improvement and development opportunities for the estate.

   iii.        Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform for the award of contract for a Multi-disciplinary Design Team and other key consultants  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7