Agenda item

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Gresham Almshouses. With regard to the two-year improvement plan, officers advised that new members of staff had been appointed and would be visiting the Gresham and City of London Almshouses next week to review all the work that needed to be completed. Members noted that the electronic plan would be available in the next 6-8 weeks and that, owing to works undertaken while properties had been vacant, some of the previously anticipated costs would be reduced.

With regards to the residents, Members noted that morale had improved over Christmas with the hampers and Christmas party being very successful. In response to a Member’s question, officers advised that the Will of Sir Thomas Gresham obliged the City of London Corporation to “place and put eight poore and Ympotente persons” into the eight Gresham Almshouses. As such, vacancies were advertised on all social housing estates within the square mile and, if no suitable applications were received, officers approached residents in the City of London Almshouses who had expressed interest in moving.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the electronic two-year improvement plan be circulated as soon as it was available.