Issue - meetings

Report from Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services attached.

Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing attended the meeting supported by Council colleagues, Kate Waterhouse, Executive Director Strategy and Transformation and John Holman, Director of Housing to provide an update to Members on the transfer of former Six Town Housing staff into the Council.

An accompanying report circulated ahead of the meeting provided details of:

·       Consultation and feedback following transfer

·       Future options for the Company

·       Post termination arrangements

·       Future governance arrangements.

Councillor Cummins reported that work has commenced to undertake the necessary TUPE consultation with Six Town Housing staff and plan for the organisational activity required to enable the transfer. Each strand of activity has been supported by a comprehensive programme management approach and has included a strong emphasis on communication and engagement with residents as well as both Six Town Housing and current Council staff.

Alongside this work, the work programme to drive the improvement of core housing services in Bury has continued, led by the Interim Chief Executive of Six Town Housing.

The TUPE consultation process, led by Six Town Housing, took place between 13th November and 13th December 2023. This process has included a range of engagement opportunities for staff including virtual and physical ‘drop in’ sessions. Staff briefings on key topics of interest, focus groups led by relevant Council managers and weekly FAQs. Trade Union colleagues have been engaged fully throughout this process. Alongside this, directly affected Council staff (those proposed to receive new responsibilities through the transfer) have been consulted on the potential impact for them.

In discussions that followed the following issues were raised:

Responding to a Members question, the Director of Housing reported that conversations with new staff have been very positive and they have welcomed the new approach to delivery.  Key areas of work include, bringing permanency to staffing teams, understanding the tenants voice, safety checks, dealing with complaints and improving the quality of the Councils correspondence with tenants.

Councillor Bernstein reported that he echoed the need to bring permanency to the staffing arrangements and that interim appointments should be time limited.

Councillor Cummins reported that the Housing Advisory Board has been established and will meet have its inaugural meeting on the 19^th March 2024.  The Board will include Councillors, tenant representatives as well as independent persons.

The Director of Housing reported that there are challenges facing the organisation and these will be addressed through a comprehensive service plan.

It was agreed that:

The Report be noted and oversight of the transfer will continue into the next municipal year.

Report from Councillor Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services attached.

The Committee agreed that this item would be deferred to a future meeting.