Attendees from Circle Housing:

·         Jackie Andrews, Director of Housing (South)

·         Jane Bolton, Head of Housing

·         Simon Gagen, Head of Reactive Repairs

·         Christian O’Mahoney, Head of Property

·         Paul Quinn, Director of Regeneration

The following representatives of Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) attended the meeting to answer questions regarding repairs and regeneration:

·         Jackie Andrews, Director of Housing (South)

·         Jane Bolton, Head of Housing

·         Simon Gagen, Head of Reactive Repairs

·         Glen Jackson, Head of Planned Repairs

·         Paul Quinn, Director of Regeneration

Jackie Andrews provided an introduction saying that CHMP has recently met with Simon Williams, the Director of Community and Housing, and that it has been acknowledged performance is improving, trends are positive but there is more work to do to get the organisation to consistently be where it needs to be.

Cypren Edmunds, Chair of the High Path Community Association, was invited to address the Panel.  He expressed his unhappiness with CHMP particularly its approach to repairs and consultations.  He highlighted that the housing shortage in London means tenants are tied to the area and that with hindsight he wishes an ability to return to Council ownership had been built into the transfer agreement.

In response to member questions, CHMP clarified:

Regeneration:

·         The regeneration of estates in Merton will provide a 12% increase in the number of comfortable and affordable homes available;

·         It is guaranteed that all new homes will be at least the same size as those they are replacing with the majority actually being larger (some by up to 30%);

·         Over crowding of current homes will be addressed based on need through rehousing.  Where this is acute this may mean that more than one replacement home is needed.  How this is determined will be addressed in consultation with each family;

·         Over occupancy will also be addressed but this isn’t a significant issue.  Homes will be allocated based on the number of bedrooms needed plus one.  Any tenant wishing to downsize should contact housing management at CHMP; and

·         All existing tenants and homeowners who wish to take-up the opportunity of a new home will be able to do so.  This is as stated in the CHMP offer made on 27 May 2016.

Repairs

·         CMHP representatives committed to seek further information subsequent to the meeting on what was released in response to the Savills report into whistleblowing and to make this available to members.  CHMP advised that clear lessons had been learned from the investigation; processes, systems and structures had been improved with evidence now forthcoming that this is having the required results. CHMP advised that these changes will support residents to have more confidence in it and is the basis for developing a better service;

·         Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenants Act prohibits major repairs being undertaken unilaterally; landlords must specify what works are proposed and the level of cost.  Tenants must be consulted on these proposals. CHMP acknowledged that in some cases (for example, the Watermeads Estate) this consultation has not been conducted adequately to address tenants’ concerns (and in the case of the Watermeads estate resulted in both the scope of the major works and the associated costs being reduced).  CHMP committed to looking at the consultation at Morden House as raised by Councillor Sargeant.  He described tenants as feeling the consultation was a fait accompli and resistance useless.  Councillor Pearce highlighted that his intervention and questioning of the need for major works had resulted in some being cancelled.  CHMP acknowledged that some works had been changed with a resulting decrease in costs but that in some cases, these works are the best option to ensure an extended life for property;

·         Frustrations caused by high staff turnover on major repairs were acknowledged, (Councillors reported this makes addressing tenants’ concerns difficult and lengthy).  CHMP advised that the recent restructure had ensured stability and would improve cross-team working meaning the formal processes involved and the personal contact needed would be addressed;

·         CHMP’s contract with Keepmoat will continue post the merger.  Once the merger is completed this will be in the fourth year of a five year contract (that will end in February 2018) and will be reviewed by the newly merged organisation as it’s thought new forms of contract will be needed.  Residents will be consulted;

·         The 13% decline since April 2016 in the number of repairs appointments made and kept was explained by CHMP as a resulting from anomalies in the recording system.  For example, if CHMP is early for an appointment, this is recorded as late;

·         Every appointment is limited to a two hour slot.  If a repair takes longer than two hours, this is captured in the system by the setting of subsequent appointments;

·         It was agreed that Simon Gagen, the Head of Reactive Repairs would contact Councillor Makin after the meeting for a visit to Phipps Bridge and Cherry Tree estates; and

·         Glen Jackson, Head of Planned Repairs, committed to look into installing anti-slip on the concrete steps at Hatfield Mead and to update the Panel.

Governance and merger

·         CHMP confirmed there will be one community Panel for the Merton area.  It won’t be part of the governance structure but will be linked to the landlord board;

·         It was agreed that CHMP will review the use of LEAF funding to date in 16/17 to ensure this has been correctly allocated.  Councillors expressed concern that Ravensbury Estate has not received its full allocation and that this has instead been spent on other estates;

·         CHMP informed the Panel that following its merger with Affinity Sutton, the new Group will be called Clarion.  A separate commercial company called Latimer is also being formed which will focus on development, social value and asset management; and

·         CHMP highlighted its belief that the forthcoming merger with Affinity Sutton will provide benefit for both organisations; CHMP is better at income collection and dealing with void properties, whereas Affinity Sutton can provide greater expertise in customer relationship management.  The merger will allow the number of new homes built to be trebled and for patch sizes to be reduced and a better service provided by making this more local.