Agenda item

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which updated Members on the progress made with the Housing Major Works Programme and advised them on issues affecting progress on individual schemes.

Members noted that the report due to at the next Committee in September 2021 would identify projects added to the plan since 2017, with the new 5-year plan presented in parallel.  The Assistant Director advised that it was not possible to provide dates at this stage for the works contained in the new 5-year plan, as the funding had not been identified, but the plan would align with Savill’s Stock Condition Survey. 

Members also noted that the Establishment Committee would be receiving a resolution this week, from the Barbican Residential Committee, in respect of the recruitment moratorium which limits new appointments beyond 6 months.  The Community and Children’s Services (CCSC) had raised similar concerns at their meeting last week and the Chair of  the CCSC would be speaking on the Resolution, noting that the strongest candidates were likely to be attracted to permanent positions. The Assistant Director and Members commended the team for keeping all major projects on target, despite these difficulties.  Additionally, projects recently completed have come in at 14% under the costs projected in the ‘Gateway 5’ project reports.  Members noted that an external project manager had been appointed in respect of Dron House, which would keep the project on track. 

In response to a question about the Housing Delivery Programme (new homes), the Assistant Director advised that, there was insufficient funding to achieve the Corporation’s objective to deliver 700 new homes on its existing housing estates by 2025. He reiterated however, that funding of the new homes and, funding for the MWP are separate budgets.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.