Issue - meetings

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This outlines proposals to progress the plans to re-integrate Enfield Homes back into the Council. (Key decision – reference number 3911)

(Report No.22)

(8.55 – 9.00 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Regeneration) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.22) outlining the progress made with the ALMO re-integration.

NOTED

1.               That Enfield Homes had been established as an Arms Length Management Organisation in 2008. The Management Agreement had expired in 2012 but this had been extended to March 2015 (or the cessation/significant reduction of external Decent Homes funding, whichever was the sooner), as set out in full in the report.

2.               That in line with previous decisions it was now formally proposed that Enfield Homes be reintegrated back into the Council. This would provide an opportunity to deliver efficiencies and streamline functions across the Council in the delivery of both housing and back office services. The financial implications were as detailed in section 6 of the report, with significant savings identified.

3.               That in considering the options for future processes, structures and delivery models a number of principles would be applied as set out in section 3.13 of the report.

4.               Councillor Charalambous advised that Hackney Council had recently made a similar decision with reintegration proposed for 2016.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the following alternative options which had been considered:

1.     The housing management and maintenance services for tenants and leaseholders occupying Council stock could continue to be provided by Enfield Homes as an Arms Length Management Organisation through a new Management Agreement. As the Decent Homes Programme funding was expected to cease in March 2015, there was a financial dis-benefit to retaining an Arms Length Management Organisation, as reintegration offered greater opportunities to streamline ways of working and deliver efficiencies across the wider housing service and Council. This would enable resources to be re-prioritised to improve the service provided to tenants and leaseholders.

2.     A new Management Agreement that incorporated additional Council services or shared services with neighbouring boroughs could be issued. This was considered as part of the 2012 Housing Management Review and was not deemed a viable option and as a result was discounted. The Council’s transformation programme, Enfield 2017, was seeking to streamline Council functions so the incorporation of additional services into the ALMO would compromise the wider Council transformation and reintegration offered the opportunity to deliver streamlined, holistic services to local residents.

3.     The housing stock could be transferred to an independent registered provider or a partial transfer to facilitate estate regeneration. This had been considered as part of the Housing Management Review and discounted due to a risk of losing focus on the day-to-day management and maintenance in preparing for a potential transfer, which would require extensive approvals and tenant consultation. Additionally, the review had found that this option was not favoured by local residents.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.               Noted the earlier decision by Cabinet in 2012 (Key decision 3531) approved by Council, regarding the extension of the Management Agreement until March 2015 with a number of recommendations to ensure a smooth transition back to the Council, subject to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12