Motion in the name of Councillor Lee Chamberlain
This Council notes with concern the poor management of its housing stock and the shocking complaints received by councillors. We believe all our residents are entitled to live in safe, well maintained, decent homes. The standard of Enfield's Council Housing falls well below the London average and our expectations. It notes with particular shame the recent events that occurred at the Shires Estate.
It therefore resolves:
1. To take these further actions in the Shires Estate to begin to restore confidence and assist residents:
1.1. That a detailed apology is sent within a week from the Cabinet Member to all affected residents living on the Shires Estate confirming his resignation and apologising for:
1.1.1. The decision to leave gas services running, rather than terminating them in buildings with a risk of structural collapse and rusting gas pipes.
1.1.2. Leaving many residents without integral heating and hot water.
1.1.3. Not completing the installation of gas safety sensors meant to reduce risk.
1.1.4. Not treating the gas replacement as an emergency and making the risks clear to residents.
1.1.5. The Administration’s decisions only becoming public because of the gas supplier’s actions to safeguard residents.
1.1.6. It is taking Conservative opposition pressure and press coverage to force a change in the Administration's approach.
1.2. That full support is given to those Shires residents now having to pay for an expensive stop gap electrical services forced on them by an Administration embarrassed into action. Given the poor insulation of the blocks any imposition of such solutions should be fully subsidized as compared to gas.
2. To start to establish better, safer, more resident focused management of LBE’s housing stock with the following actions:
2.1 That Cabinet Member Cllr George Savva resign his position as a result of the poor management of the Shires estate gas risk for which he is ultimately responsible.
2.2 That any possible structural collapse gas risk in LBE blocks is treated as an emergency and addressed immediately forthwith.
2.3 That a strategic evaluation of the Council's property portfolio is urgently set out, particularly with specific focus on non-traditional build properties which are likely to have limited lifespans and considerable pre-existing maintenance issues. The Administration cannot keep wasting money and kicking the can down the road.
2.4 That the Council should offer local residents in existing properties falling below standard or requiring replacement the option of moving to new properties within Enfield as they are being built.
2.5 That all council buildings should have a standard publicly available report providing key structural and maintenance information regarding those blocks. What those reports contain should be developed in discussion with residents and delivered by January 2024.
2.6 That the lessons learned from these events are captured by a special Scrutiny Committee, with members from both sides, established to conduct a thorough review of the decision-making process leading up to current events.
Minutes:
Councillor Lee Chamberlain moved the below motion:
“This Council notes with concern the poor management of its housing stock and the shocking complaints received by councillors. We believe all our residents are entitled to live in safe, well maintained, decent homes. The standard of Enfield's Council Housing falls well below the London average and our expectations. It notes with particular shame the recent events that occurred at the Shires Estate.
It therefore resolves:
1. To take these further actions in the Shires Estate to begin to restore confidence and assist residents:
1.1. That a detailed apology is sent within a week from the Cabinet Member to all affected residents living on the Shires Estate confirming his resignation and apologising for:
1.1.1. The decision to leave gas services running, rather than terminating them in buildings with a risk of structural collapse and rusting gas pipes.
1.1.2. Leaving many residents without integral heating and hot water.
1.1.3. Not completing the installation of gas safety sensors meant to reduce risk.
1.1.4. Not treating the gas replacement as an emergency and making the risks clear to residents.
1.1.5. The Administration’s decisions only becoming public because of the gas supplier’s actions to safeguard residents.
1.1.6. It is taking Conservative opposition pressure and press coverage to force a change in the Administration's approach.
1.2. That full support is given to those Shires residents now having to pay for an expensive stop gap electrical services forced on them by an Administration embarrassed into action. Given the poor insulation of the blocks any imposition of such solutions should be fully subsidized as compared to gas.
2. To start to establish better, safer, more resident focused management of LBE’s housing stock with the following actions:
2.1 That Cabinet Member Cllr George Savva resign his position as a result of the poor management of the Shires estate gas risk for which he is ultimately responsible.
2.2 That any possible structural collapse gas risk in LBE blocks is treated as an emergency and addressed immediately forthwith.
2.3 That a strategic evaluation of the Council's property portfolio is urgently set out, particularly with specific focus on non-traditional build properties which are likely to have limited lifespans and considerable pre-existing maintenance issues. The Administration cannot keep wasting money and kicking the can down the road.
2.4 That the Council should offer local residents in existing properties falling below standard or requiring replacement the option of moving to new properties within Enfield as they are being built.
2.5 That all council buildings should have a standard publicly available report providing key structural and maintenance information regarding those blocks. What those reports contain should be developed in discussion with residents and delivered by January 2024.
2.6 That the lessons learned from these events are captured by a special Scrutiny Committee, with members from both sides, established to conduct a thorough review of the decision-making process leading up to current events.”
Following the debate, this Motion was NOT AGREED.