Agenda item

Ian Swift, Director of Housing Operations presented the report and the following issues were noted:

·     Meeting was reminded that the review conducted by the Housing Scrutiny Committee approved 20 recommendations and these are contained within the attached Action Plan.

·     That at the last meeting a decision was taken for Committee, to receive regular updates to all future Housing Scrutiny Committee meetings on the progress in implementing these recommendations to ensure momentum continues with this important work.

·     The Action plan identifies the following progress for implementing the 20 recommendations: 6 (30%) Green, 14 (70%) Amber and zero Red to implement the recommendations in full.       

·     Meeting was advised that since the report to Executive on purchasing ex right to buy properties was given the go ahead in July 2023, the Council is in the process of completing the purchase or exchange of 6 4 bedroom units and all before the end of the financial year.

·     On the issue of financial incentives for under occupiers, meeting was reminded that following Committee’s recommendation there has been uplift of payments.

·     The Director stated that Islington remains the only local authority in London that buys back ex Right to Buy (RTB) properties, noting that it is difficult to prevent the large 4 bedroom homes being built for social housing from being sold under the scheme however welcoming central government’s decision to remove of the huge discount which was an incentive.

·     On identifying and reporting void properties, the Director advised that he had investigated the issue, noting that Manchester City website offers that opportunity which will be taken on board. If interested he would circulate the information to members if members are interested.

·     Meeting was reminded that of the 10,000 properties purchased under the Right to Buy Scheme, 4500 are let out as private accommodation, that there is a perception that they are council managed. More details will be provided at the April meeting.

·     On whether the purchase of ex Right to Buy (RTB) properties was viable considering the state of some of these buildings, the Director advised that Council spends an average of £10,000 to bring the homes back to decent standard and that this saves the Council a lot of monies from using temporary accommodation.

·    On the RAG rating of amber, meeting was advised that at the next meeting it would be made more clear, however where the status is green it means actions have been completed and amber means it is on the way to completion.

·     On whether officers had any challenges regarding implementing any recommendation, the Director advised that there were none, that there is a good relationship, that the Council has been able to buy more ex RTB properties than any other authorities in London. Meeting was advised that what is taking longer is the launch of Housing Allocation Scheme due to IT issues which should be completed by the end of the financial year. 

·     On resident engagement, the Head of Housing Partnerships Homes & Communication Council highlighted a number of measures that the Council is undertaking to bring the services closer to the community, the drop in sessions being held in the community centres etc.

·     On the issue of lobbying, meeting was advised that Council has been liaising with GLA that the current funding regime in place to purchasing properties does not work in Islington because of the high residual value of land in the borough, that a new proposal will be submitted to GLA by 23^rd February highlighting the ground rent in the borough needs to be taken for consideration.

RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.