Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director – Place and Executive Director - Resources is attached. Note: Restricted appendices containing exempt information also refer) (Key decision – reference number 5219)

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Resources and Executive Director - Place.

NOTED

1.            That the report set out the progress, plans and review of the HRA Business Plan for 2021. The Good Growth Housing Strategy published in 2020 had outlined an ambition to invest in and be proud of our Council homes. Improvement of housing services had been a priority during the year.

2.            The wider social benefits of good quality housing provision and investment in the Borough with local job creation opportunities and climate change benefits.

3.            The legal position of leaseholders regarding contributions to improvement works and the hardship support that would be provided.

4.            The continued commitment to bring services in-house and to re-procure contracts where required to ensure best value for money and service provision.

5.            That the Business Plan was financially viable and borrowing was within approved levels, as detailed in the report.

6.            The report supported the delivery of the Good Growth Housing Strategy. The challenges being faced were highlighted including funding limitations and timescales for delivery. A summary of the key points of the GLA affordable housing programme were set out in paragraph 38 of the report.

7.            That Members would continue to lobby the Government for adequate funding to meet required fire safety works.

8.            The good progress that was being made by the Enfield Repairs Service and bringing services in-house.

9.            That a robust and prudent financial approach would continue to be followed and works re-profiled as necessary as set out in the report. This was a long-term programme of works that could be adjusted accordingly. The programme was ambitious and in line with prudential accounting requirements.

Alternative Options Considered: As incorporated within the body of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.            Note the progress made to date on the Council’s Housing Development Programme and in the light of this agree the updated Development Strategy proposed in the report.

2.            Recommend to Council to approve the updated 13-year Housing Development Programme, noting the reduction in homes from 3,804 to 3,500.

3.            Approve a bid to the GLA for its Affordable Housing Programme 2021-26 and for additional schemes through the Building Council Homes for Londoners programme as appropriate and based on capacity that had been established with the HRA Business Plan and as outlined in the report, and to note the risks and impact to the Housing Development Programme.

4.            To authorise the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with Executive Director – Resources, to enter into development partnerships, award contracts for works and professional services and enter into or agreements for the acquisition or disposal of property for development schemes.

5.            Approve the revised budget of £21,303,999 for Bury Street West in the updated 13-year Housing Development Programme per paragraphs 78 of the report, subject to a forthcoming portfolio decision.

6.            Delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Regeneration after consultation with the portfolio holder and Executive Director – Resources, to initiate and agree changes to housing development and estate renewal schemes, including submission of planning applications, provided they do not impact on the revised HRA Business Plan.

7.            Agree applications for the Mayor of London Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF) and Government’s Green Homes Fund to support planned investment in carbon efficient homes, subject to the approval of loan terms by the Executive Director – Resources.

8.            Approve the entering into a collaboration agreement (the Retrofit Accelerator Homes Innovation Partnership (RAHIP) to enable the Council to access BEIS funding, to support the retrofitting of council homes to achieve carbon zero standard.

9.            Agree the schemes for investment in Council homes for 2021/22 and updated 10-year programmed as outlined in paragraph 56 of the report.

10.         Approve the extension of the existing measured term repairs contracts for mechanical and electrical services and compliance management up to and inclusive of October 2021, to enable OJEU compliant re-procurement exercises to be completed.

11.         Approve an introduction of additional financial hardship measures for leaseholders as outlined in paragraph 65 of the report.

12.         Recommend to Council to approve the revised HRA Business Plan which incorporated the updated strategy and 10-year HRA capital programme budget, which would come forward as part of the Council’s 10-year Capital Programme recommended to Council.

13.         Note the £500k savings to be generated from a restructure in Council Housing and agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Regeneration to implement the changes required.

Reason: NOTED, the detailed reasons for the proposals as set out in paragraphs 18 to 24 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 5219)