Agenda and minutes

Brookside Close Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Eastcote Lane Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Harrow Federation of Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations

Harrow Weald Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Kenmore Park Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Little Stanmore Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Pinner Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Weald Village Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Forum;

(b)               all other Members present.

Agenda Item 4 - Housing Changes Review Update: Consideration of key housing strategies and policies including Tenancy Strategy and Policy, draft Housing Strategy, Homelessness Strategy, Private Sector Housing Strategy and Allocation scheme and Housing Business Plan/Asset Management Plan update

Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar declared a non pecuniary interest in the above item because his mother resided in sheltered accommodation in Harrow.

Councillor Bob Currie declared a non pecuniary interest in the above item in that he attended monthly meetings of the Eastcote Lane Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.

Councillor Susan Hall declared a pecuniary interest in Appendix 6 of the above item, the Consultation Draft Private Sector Housing Strategy 2012-17, by virtue of being a private landlord; she left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the meeting for the duration of this item.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 50 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED: To note that no deputations were put at this meeting.

Report of the Divisional Director of Housing Services

The Chair welcomed all present and expressed his satisfaction at the large turn out of representatives of tenant and resident organisations, although he also noted that no leaseholder representative was present. 

In response to a query, an officer stated that a copy of the Housing Allocation Scheme could be provided to individuals or organisations who requested it, and that copies had been made available in group offices and the Members’ Library.

An officer explained that various Housing policies and strategies had been reviewed in the light of the Localism Act 2011, and the Forum was asked to comment on the revised documents.  The Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy would be submitted to Cabinet on 13 December 2012 for formal approval, along with consultation drafts of the Housing Strategy, Private Sector Housing Strategy, Homelessness Strategy and Allocation Scheme.  The Council had to have an agreed Tenancy Strategy in place by January 2013.

The Localism Act conferred new powers on the Council, and the revised policies and strategies detailed how the Council would respond to the new requirements, taking into account the current economic climate, and local circumstances in Harrow – namely:

·                    a low supply of social housing (10% of the total);

·                    twice as many people were in privately rented housing compared to social housing;

·                    Harrow was a high cost area in which to rent or buy;

·                    benefit cuts were likely to increase the incidence of homelessness;

·                    introduction of the benefit cut in April 2013 would mainly affect people in private rented housing.

Earlier discussions with resident groups suggested that there was support for more affordable housing, flexible tenancies, a review of the allocation scheme with re-prioritisation of applicants, and a pragmatic response to families on benefits who would not be able to afford private rented housing, to include housing options outside Harrow if this would best meet their housing needs. 

Draft Housing Strategy

The main objective of the Housing strategy was to increase the supply of affordable housing and make the best use of the Council’s assets.

Representatives of Resident Organisations requested clarification on the following points.

Opportunities to develop land

The Council would consider all suggestions for potential development – garages, derelict sites, car parks – although the loss of car parks could create different problems in respect of parking and traffic movement and would be subject to planning.

What will happen to existing tenants if their benefits are capped? 

This would predominantly affect people in the private rented sector, although officers were aware of 19 Council tenants who may be affected.  The CAB are working with the Council to speak to households about the welfare benefit changes and the best ways to assist tenants.

The Tenancy Strategy and Policy

The strategy proposed that tenancies were let for an initial one year probationary period, and on successful completion, the tenancy could be let for a 5 year period, and then reviewed.  In most cases it was anticipated that the tenancy would be renewed unless the tenant did not abide by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.