Purpose

This report seeks authority for The Barnet Group (TBG), including Barnet Homes in its housing management role, acting on behalf of the London Borough of Barnet (the Council) as landlord, to undertake consultation with affected Council tenants on the Service Charge Transformation Programme.  The consultation will seek tenants’ views on the proposed introduction of a separately identified management fee; the proposed introduction of charges for services that have historically been provided without a separate charge, where the relevant tenancy and legal framework permits; and the proposed approach to fuller lawful recovery of eligible service charge costs for services provided to or benefiting their homes. The consultation is intended to obtain tenants’ views on these proposals and their potential impact; it does not ask tenants to determine the final level of charges.  Following consultation, responses will be considered alongside the final financial modelling, property-level service mapping, equality and affordability impacts, and Governance, Legal and Finance advice. Any further approval required to implement the final charging proposals will be obtained through the appropriate Council governance route.