RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet noted and approved the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel reference set out in paragraphs 2.5 to 2.8 below subject to there being no additional resources required from the Council.

2.5. The Panel RESOLVED (eight votes for, none against) to send the following recommendations to Cabinet;

2.6. The Panel proposes that Merton's Housing Team lead on hosting a one-stop shop on Merton’s council’s website, in partnership with Clarion and with the support of the Council’s Communications Team. The purpose of this page is to (a) Inform residents of their rights, responsibilities and signpost into the current repairs process. This may also include letters and replies sent by the Cabinet member; (b) provide single source of information on issues already identified through the publication and regular updating of KPIs for housing repair on Clarion’s estates; (C) List as set out in precedent in the papers for Sustainable Communities paper of 24th June the current open repair cases for Clarion estate. New repairs should be included when they arise. Where Page 15 Agenda Item 6possible common issues should be highlighted. The goal of these measures is to restore resident and partner confidence in Clarion’s management of their stock. The page should be implemented as a matter of urgency and remain until the Cabinet Member is satisfied confidence has been restored.

2.7. The Panel further request that Cabinet write to Clarion asking for detailed information on the conformity with the decent home standard of stock across the borough. The response to this request be shared with the Sustainable Communities panel.

2.8. Additionally, the Panel RESOLVED to revisit this item at the next Sustainable Communities meeting 2 September 2021.

The Chair of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel presented the report which set out recommendations relating to housing repairs and maintenance on Clarion estates.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency thanked the Scrutiny Panel and its’ chair for their discussions. Regular meetings had taken place between the Cabinet Member and Clarion and these would continue and it was noted that a further paper would come to Scrutiny, Cabinet and Full Council in September 2021.

In response to a Cabinet Member question, the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency advised that the recommendations could be met from within existing internal resources. Cabinet agreed that the recommendations could be approved provided that this was the case. It was therefore:

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet noted and approved the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel reference set out in paragraphs 2.5 to 2.8 below subject to there being no additional resources required from the Council.

2.5. The Panel RESOLVED (eight votes for, none against) to send the following recommendations to Cabinet;

2.6. The Panel proposes that Merton's Housing Team lead on hosting a one-stop shop on Merton’s council’s website, in partnership with Clarion and with the support of the Council’s Communications Team. The purpose of this page is to (a) Inform residents of their rights, responsibilities and signpost into the current repairs process. This may also include letters and replies sent by the Cabinet member; (b) provide single source of information on issues already identified through the publication and regular updating of KPIs for housing repair on Clarion’s estates; (C) List as set out in precedent in the papers for Sustainable Communities paper of 24th June the current open repair cases for Clarion estate. New repairs should be included when they arise. Where Page 15 Agenda Item 6possible common issues should be highlighted. The goal of these measures is to restore resident and partner confidence in Clarion’s management of their stock. The page should be implemented as a matter of urgency and remain until the Cabinet Member is satisfied confidence has been restored.

2.7. The Panel further request that Cabinet write to Clarion asking for detailed information on the conformity with the decent home standard of stock across the borough. The response to this request be shared with the Sustainable Communities panel.

2.8. Additionally, the Panel RESOLVED to revisit this item at the next Sustainable Communities meeting 2 September 2021.