Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllr Caliskan and Ergin Erbil.

Apologies were also received from Cllr Lee Chamberlin and Cllr Nicki Adeleke who were substituted by Cllr Edward Smith and Cllr Nia Stevens respectively.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary,

other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the

agenda.

No Declarations of Interest were received.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

To provide an update on the borough’s housing supply which includes delivery by the Council, housing associations and other developers/landlords and includes a draft Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

Joanne Drew (Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration), Amena Matin (Head of Regeneration and Growth) and Chatinder Bal (Director of Land at MTVH) presented this item.

Joanne Drew introduced Chatinder Bal who provided a verbal presentation as one of Enfield’s preferred partners. MTVH (Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing) have been working closely with LBE on a number of development initiatives and housing management.

Chatinder Bal provided an insight into what housing associations are currently doing to keep housing supply going, stating that it is economically challenging at every turn.

Enfield is a key borough with approximately 5000 homes locally. The cost to maintain the estates, the cost of reinvestment, decarbonisation, and fire safety has put an undue burden on the market and the capability to deliver more; meaning the ability to grow the asset base has become profound.

The cost of repairing homes has to be funded by rents received.

The mini budget added further pressure on the capacity for reinvestment and new developments. The energy crisis, construction prices and insolvencies resulted in even more capacity lost, which is unprecedented.

Policy issues in relation to future developments meant that several frameworks needed to be reworked adding further costs, delays and challenges.

Regeneration is key, as is improving the quality of homes provided and providing more homes. Long-term partnerships and relationships are also important.

Working in conjunction with Enfield Council allows for investment and reinvestment and can collectively work on new schemes knowing there is longevity.

Members questions focused on how demand could be met, increasing supply, assisting with building new homes with the current constraints and challenges, and customer service.

In answer to questions:

1. Chatindar Bal provided assurance that MTVH envisage continuing to work with Enfield and developing new stock, just not at the size and propensity anticipated previously.

2. Improving communication with residents who have complaints and/or issues is fundamental. Joanne Drew and Chatindar Bal informed the committee that members can contact senior housing association personnel who will unlock the problem. It is not an ideal solution, but a quick escalation process does help.

Amena Matin added that there is a Housing Operations meeting attended by all housing associations who own stock in the borough, shared by the council and housing management team which is a good forum to raise issues or escalate issues.

3. In terms of working together, it is imperative that housing associations and Enfield support each other. The challenges are vast, but a good working relationship is essential to the partnership. Developing better communication, understanding longer-term aspirations, thinking collectively at an early stage and generally being more collaborative.

Reciprocally, access to relevant members to escalate blockages and move forward.

Amena Matin explained that there were procurement challenges establishing a working relationship initially. An affordable housing framework was setup to streamline the procurement and create an environment for a better working partnership.

LBE were very clear as to who they wanted to work with; landlords who already worked in the borough, who had stock, ambition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note the dates of future meetings as follows:

Wednesday 21 February 2024

A further date is TBC. The Chair will liaise with the Governance team and send some dates to consider.

The dates of future meetings were noted as follows:

 Wednesday 21st February 2024

A further date is TBC. The Chair will liaise with the Governance team and send some dates to consider.