Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Elizabeth Rogula and the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Mr Gareth Moore declared an interest in housing matters, as a tenant of Golden Lane Estate, and Deputy Henry Jones declared an interest in matters relating to the Middlesex Street Estate, as he was a residential and business lease holder.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting on 2 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 2 November 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Residents’ Celebration Day

Members noted that the next Residents’ Celebration Day would be held in Spring 2017, and work with residents was underway regarding organisation and entertainment.

City of London Almshouses

The Chairman advised that she had met with Dave Walker from the Southwark Mediation Centre and would be undertaking a visit to the Almshouses later this year.

Cladding of Great Arthur House

Officers reported that the setting up of the site compound was well underway and would be completed by the end of February 2016. The work to the curtain walling would start in March/April 2016 and was expected to last approximately one year.

CCTV on Middlesex Street

In response to a Member’s question, officers advised that all the monies had now been received.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the City of London Almshouses Revenue and Capital Budgets 2015/16 and 2016/17. Members discussed the report and, in response to a Member’s comment, the Chamberlain advised that future reports would include the Original as well as the Latest Budget for clarity of comparison.

RESOLVED – That the 2016/17 revenue budget be approved.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Safeguarding Policy for Housing Services. The Chairman commended the links to public health, and Members discussed how this document would be used in the Local Authorities where the City of London Housing Estates are based. Officers confirmed that this document was applicable to all, but would be underpinned by a series of procedures specific to each site. Members suggested some amendments, and noted that the appropriate safeguarding training for officers had already been carried out.

RESOLVED – That, subject to Members’ comments, the Safeguarding Policy be approved.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Estates Satisfaction Survey for 2015. Members discussed the response rate, which was lower than the previous year, and made the following suggestions for future surveys:

·         Send out separate surveys to leaseholders and tenants with some questions in common and some specific to each;

·         Offer an incentive for participating in the survey; and

·         Have both paper and electronic versions of the survey available.

Officers noted the comments, and undertook to compare the response rate with that received by neighbouring London Boroughs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, and the response rate be compared with that received by neighbouring London Boroughs.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Tenants’ Agreement and Handbook. Members praised the documents and the format, and made a number of suggestions to clarify wording.

RESOLVED – That, subject to Members’ comments, the City of London Housing Tenants’ Agreement and Handbook be approved.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                                                                                         Paragraph

11                                                                                            3&7

12-14                                                                                       3

15-16                                                                                       -

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2015.

RESOLVED ­– That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.