Agenda item

Councillor Richard Watts, Leader of the Council, was present and during his presentation the following main points were made –

·         The Leader stated that the priorities of the Council were to deliver employment opportunities, deliver affordable housing and support opportunities for young people. 1000 residents had been supported into work in the past year and 120 apprenticeships had been created. In addition, there had been the highest number of new Council houses built in the last 30 years and residents have been assisted in reducing their energy bills through the Bunhill Heat and Power initiative and further measures were planned to assist other residents through the Community Energy programme

·         The borough has also achieved the highest GCSE level pass rates ever and is now one of the 20 highest achieving Local Authorities in England

·         The recent OFSTED inspection of Children’s Services Department had been good and that both Members and staff deserved credit for this

·         Islington has been proud of maintaining its youth facilities and out of hours schools offer in the face of Government funding restrictions

·         The Leader stated that one area of concern was the issue of Fire Safety, following the Grenfell Tower disaster and that the Council were taking steps to ensure that all buildings were safe and where necessary urgent action taken., on the advice of the London Fire Brigade. The Leader also stated that the would like to place on record his appreciation to the staff who had assisted in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower incident, the recent incident at the Finsbury Park Mosque and in Camden

·         The Leader expressed the view that the building regulations in force at present were not suitable for purpose and that there were questions to answer in relation to this for the Government and the construction industry

·         The Leader informed Members of the exceptional community cohesion that had taken place following the Finsbury Park Mosque incident and that the community had responded effectively

·         The Leader also referred to the fact that there is a need, following Government funding restrictions on public services, to ensure that public services can meet residents needs and that this tragedy led to better outcomes for residents in the future

·         In response to a question as to funding for the works that would be necessary for buildings in Islington, due to the Grenfell Tower disaster. It was stated that the Council could choose to borrow funding to carry out the necessary works, however the Government had made promises about funding for the works necessary and it will be interesting to see if these promises were kept. The Leader added that the Council would be campaigning to ensure that the Government kept its promises in this regard.

·         In response to a question as to the need to improve housing repairs, the Leader stated that there had been problems, as a result of bringing the service back ‘in house’ however the previous Kiers contract had been problematic. The Leader stated that he did think the situation is improving on day to day repairs, however major works contracts did have difficulties due to the few number of major contractors who bid for Local Authority work, especially across London and this needed to be looked at

·         In relation to housing repairs training and investment were taking place for operatives to try to get repairs right first time, which would involve making a good initial assessment of the works required and that details of the number of repairs completed first time could be provided for Members

·         A Member stated that there was a need to take decisions on Fire Safety in a rational manner and to look at the recommendations of the enquiry and learn lessons into the fire in Southwark, where the recommendations had not been implemented. This included the checking of fire doors and these types of safety checks ould be put in place immediately

·         The Leader stated that work is taking place to ensure buildings are safe and that fire safety inspections were being carried out. There would be problem areas such as in corridors where residents often stored pushchairs and prams etc. and this would need to be looked at and discussions would also need to take place with leaseholders in order to carry out any necessary works

·         In response to a question it was stated that whilst there had been a delay in the new build Council Housing programme the overall timescale for completion is still on schedule for 2019. The Leader stated that he would provide Members with details of the latest position

·         The Leader stated that the Council did have an emergency plan in place for major incidents and this would involve where there is a major incident utilising the GOLD response, in conjunction with other London Boroughs, where it was not possible for a Borough to deal with the incident on its own

·         A Member expressed concern that Partners were not working effectively for tenants and their repairs service was unsatisfactory. It was stated that whilst the Council shared this frustration Partners had a contract until 2024 and it was difficult to be able to take any effective remedial action against them

·         In response to a statement the Leader stated that he would welcome the Government ending PFI contracts

RESOLVED:

That the Leader be requested to inform the Committee as to the number of repairs completed first time’ and the estimated completion dates and progress in relation to the Council new build housing programme

The Chair thanked the Leader for attending and his presentation