Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care, which sets out the results of the test of opinion survey undertaken in June 2012.         (Report No.42A)

Members are asked to note that the recommendations set out in the report were approved by Cabinet on 18 July 2012, with Council being asked to approve the revision and extension of the Management Agreement with Enfield Homes. (Key decision – reference number 3531)

Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Georgiou seconded the report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care (No.42A) setting out the results of the test of opinion survey undertaken in June 2012 and outcome of the review of housing management arrangements for Council housing stock from April 2013.

NOTED

1.      Cabinet (20 June 2012) had considered the outcome of an independent housing consultant review into the efficiency and effectiveness of Enfield Homes and options for management arrangements, once the current Management Agreement with Enfield Homes expired in March 2013.

2.      As part of the review process the Council had been required to undertake a comprehensive Test of Opinion consultation exercise with Council tenants, leaseholders and other key stakeholders.

3.      The consultation process undertaken, as detailed in section 3.10 of the report, which had generated over 6000 responses.  This represented a response rate of 38.47% (41.8% tenants and 30.3% leaseholders).  The results from the Test of Opinion survey had been detailed in section 3.11 of the report.

4.      Cabinet (18 July 2012) had considered the results of the survey and as a result had:

a.      recommended a 2 year time limited extension to the Management Agreement with Enfield Homes, which had been designed to:

·              reflect the findings within the survey and achievements as well as weaknesses identified as part of the relationship with Enfield Homes; and

·              co-ordinate the use of Enfield Homes for delivery of housing management functions pending completion of the externally funded decent homes programme in March 2015;

b.      agreed, subject to a. above and as detailed in section 3.12 of the report, a range of other changes to leadership and governance arrangements to provide closer partnership and joint working between Enfield Homes and the Council whilst also generating increased efficiencies and reduced costs.  In addition the need for further work had been identified to address the reasons for the difference between the levels of tenant and leaseholder satisfaction highlighted within the survey;

5.      whilst recognising the success of the consultation process, in terms of responses generated, concerns were highlighted by the Opposition Group in relation to:

a.      the 2 year time limit on the extension of the Management Agreement, given the high percentage of tenants in favour of Enfield Homes continuing to provide their housing service;

b.      the uncertainty it was felt this would cause, in advance of a further review and given the aim, as set out in section 3.12.6 of the report, for the Council to agree a smooth transition to a successful Council led Housing Service following expiry of the extended Management Agreement in 2015;

6.      The Council would continue to work with key stakeholders and Enfield Homes to agree the shape and transition arrangements of any future led Council led service, which would be subject to a further review in 2014.  In the meantime members thanked all those involved in developing, promoting and responding to they survey.

Following a lengthy debate the recommendations were then put to the vote, with the following result:

For: 28

Against: 18

Abstentions: 8

AGREED that

(1)    The Management Agreement with Enfield Homes be revised and extended until March 2015.

(2)    In the event of a cessation or substantial reduction of Decent Homes funding before March 2015, the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care may terminate the Management Agreement with Enfield Homes in accordance with clause 67.3 of the Management Agreement.