Issue - meetings

A report from Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Members for Housing Services is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented a report providing details for the Springs Tenant Management Organisation to become a self-financing tenant management organisation, to enable them to manage the Springs Estate more effectively, build resilience in the community and improve tenant satisfaction and neighbourhood regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Housing services reported that a Proposal Notice will be issued to all tenants, followed by a formal secret ballot, at least 50% of all votes cast + 1 must be in favour of the self-financing proposal.  A continuation ballot will take place every 5 years as it does at present.  The Council and Six Town Housing will determine service levels/charging arrangements for the services they currently provide.  Regular governance and monitoring meetings will be held between STMO and STH to gauge performance and ensure compliance.

Delegated decision:

1. Support the proposal for Springs Tenant Management Organisation to become a self-financing tenant management organisation, subject to a formal ballot of tenants on the Springs Estate.

2. Approve the arrangements for implementation as set out in this report.

Reasons for the decision:

The process must follow the Housing (Right to Manage) (England) Regulations 2012, which give Tenant Management Organisation’s the right to manage and propose to their local authority, how that should operate. The process outlined in the report is in accordance with those regulations and has had the benefit of legal advice. Further legal input will be required in finalising the management agreement.

Other option considered and rejected:

Do nothing – The Council would continue to manage the Springs Estate.