Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 November 2015 be confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the proceedings, and that the outstanding actions be noted.

Apologies for Absence were received from Councuillor Mick Cartwright.

Councillor Cowan welcomed the Chair of the Residents’ Commission, RT. Hon Keith Hill and the Commission’s members, residents and officers to the meeting.  He asked Councillor Lisa Homan, the Cabinet Member for Housing, to introduce the report.

Councillor Homan stated that the Administration’s Manifesto commitment was to protect council house residents’ homes from demolition and improving services.  The Administration had promised to take immediate measures to protect council homes now and in the future and work with council housing residents to give them ownership of the land their homes are on.  The setting up of the Commission was the 1^st step on this journey.  The 2^nd step was to agree the Cabinet report before the committee.  The approval will alleviate the fear of home sale by politicians and find a way of resolving the previous administration’s ruthless policy of selling off houses.  Residents will become architects of their own destiny. 

Since the Commission had embarked upon its work, the national scene had changed with councils being in a worst position to deliver new and maintain its current housing stock. That would not discourage the Administration from progressing this land breaking vision.  She thanked, on behalf of the Cabinet, the members of the Residents’ Commission and the officers who had supported the process.  She also noted that another piece of work “Improving Housing Services” which was produced by the Commission will be considered later in the meeting.

The Chair, RT. Hon Keith Hill, stated that in line with the administration’s commitment to work with council housing residents to give them ownership of the land their homes are on, the commission was set up.  He highlighted the following key issues:

·               The bold and radical nature of the recommendations to proceed with a stock transfer,

·               Setting up a resident owned and run independent housing association,

·               Changes in central government policy since the commission commenced its work,

·               Changing the ownership structure was the only way of maintaining the  level of investment in council housing stock,

·               A comprehensive stock appraisal report was produced as part of the work,

·               The Commission undertook its deliberations in the full glare of publicity and reported back within a record 6 months.

He thanked the Commissioners for their commitment and dedication to the Commission’s work.

Lorna Wynter (Vice Chair) noted that there were robust processes in place which looked thoroughly at all the options affecting both tenants and leaseholders.  She acknowledged the support of the housing officers and independent professionals who assisted them to look at the housing options, financial appraisals and the best possible options available.  All the members had endorsed the report’s recommendations.

On a personal note, John Ghazi Quick (Vice Chair), found the whole process like going through University with the commissioners as tutors who had lived and breathed housing.  It was immensely intense but a beneficial journey.  It was a rewarding opportunity to sit on the commission. He noted that the interview process was rigorous. The report he said was detailed covering every possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

Councillor Homan noted that the report was a product of the Residents’ Commission.  She was delighted that it provided a framework to improve services.  The report outlined ways in which the administration can strengthen how it works with residents (tenants, leaseholders and stakeholders) and to improve their satisfaction with the quality of housing and housing services they currently receive.

It was noted that a customer service improvement programme across the Housing Service had been initiated which included taking new measures to improve the caretaking service. Councillors are also working with contractors to improve the outsourced housing repairs service which continues to be the subject of a disproportionate amount of complaints to the Council.

Councillor Phibbs welcomed the proposals that every tenant who had contact with the council will have a named person who would supply a contact phone number and email address.  He was of the opinion that there was a discrepancy in the reference to satisfaction level in the report.  The Council 59% satisfaction level was not comparable to other organisations.

Councillor Coleman read paragraph 4.5 of the report to rebut the statement made. He noted that the report stated that “There is much further to go. One of the many valuable findings of the Residents’ Commission on Council Housing was that only 59 per cent of tenants and leaseholders are satisfied with the quality of housing services they receive. Although comparable to other housing organisations in London, this level of satisfaction is not acceptable to the administration”.  He stated that the council had taken some steps and are improving.  But more changes are required to turn the service around after many years of neglect by the previous administration.

The Leader acknowledged that where the council is was not good enough.  There are some organisations that are better than us.  The Council is unhappy with the current level of service and will make sure that it improves.

1.1.        That the Lead Directors of Housing be authorised to develop and implement, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Housing and for Commercial Revenue and Resident Satisfaction and with residents themselves, a customer-focused programme to improve satisfaction with the Housing Service based on the principles in the Blueprint produced by the Residents’ Commission on Council Housing.

1.2.        That a budget of £250,000 from the Housing Revenue Account for the proposals set out in the report with the aim of ensuring a step change in how the council’s housing services are planned and delivered, be approved. Funding will be required for project management expertise to deliver the programme, for related improvement projects such as tailored resident and staff training, and for specific and essential resource gaps identified during the course of the programme.

1.3.        That the Lead Directors of Housing report progress formally on the programme to the Cabinet Members for Housing and for Commercial Revenue and Resident Satisfaction in March 2016.

Councillor Homan stressed the importance of letting the contract to undertake the testing and inspection of fire alarm systems, emergency lighting and general lighting systems in sheltered housing, high rise blocks, hostels and community centres.

1.1.        That approval be given to accept the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) submitted by the provider named in the exempt report, as set out in the exempt report.

1.2.     That the contract is expected to start on 1^st March 2016 for a period of 5 years with an option to extend annually for a further 3 years, be noted.

Councillor Lukey noted that the recommended provider had previously provided a good service.  The report was asking for an extension of the contract for the delivery of a Hospital to Home service provided by the British Red Cross across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham councils.

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

1.1.       That the Cabinet extend the contract for the Hospital to Home Service provided by the British Red Cross for a period of two years from 1^st September 2015 to 31^st August 2017, in accordance with the terms of agreement. H&F’s spend against the contract for the period 1^st September 2013 to 31^st August 2015 was £109,834 and the contract spend for the extension period will be £109,834.

1.2       To note the recommendations below for the two other Councils.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

That the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health approve the extension for the Hospital to Home service provided by the British Red Cross from 1^st of September 2015 to 31^st of August 2017 for the total of £109,834 (£54,917 per annum).

Westminster City Council

That CAB note the extension from 1^st September 2015 and as from 1^st October 2015 recommend to the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health that the service Hospital to Home provided by the British Red Cross be extended to 31^st August 2017. The total cost of the Hospital to Home service during the four year contract period will be£219,668. The additional total value of the contract for two years is £109,834.

Councillor Lukey noted that this was an ambitious project to reshape the provision of adult community and reproductive sexual health service across the three councils.  The proposal will enable the council to target services to meet the residents’ needs and achieve the public health outcomes.

1             That the procurement of the Lot 1 adult community and reproductive sexual health services and Lot 2 sexual health in primary care, as detailed in the report, be agreed.

2             That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care for Hammersmith and Fulham at the contract award stage.

Councillor Fennimore noted that following a strategic review of local domestic violence services, the Council was seeking to let a refuge contract to provide accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.  The proposal will provided the best service possible in H&F and across London.

That approval be given to a direct award of a contract to the provider named in the exempt report for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2018, as set out in the exempt report.

Councillor Harcourt reported that the contract was managed on behalf of Transport for London and recommended approval.

1.1.    That Lots 1 and 2 of the Road2010 Term Contract for London Road Condition Surveys be awarded to “WDM Limited”.

1.2.    That Lots 3 and 6 of the Road2010 Term Contract for London Road Condition Surveys be awarded to  “The Highway Surveyors”.

1.3.    That Lots 1, 2, 3 and 6 be awarded for an initial period of two years to 31 March 2018 with the option for two 12 month extensions, be agreed.

The Key Decision List was noted.

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items of business on the grounds that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of a person (including the authority) and Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption currently outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

[The following is a public summary of the exempt information under S.100C (2) of the Local Government Act 1972.  Exempt minutes exist as a separate document.]

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 November 2015 be confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the proceedings, and that the outstanding actions be noted.