Purpose

Developing a Brent Housing Compact as a partnership between Brent Council and Social Housing Providers, aimed at tackling the housing crisis and achieving outcomes for residents.

Decision

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet NOTED the following representations received at the meeting:

(a)    As an initial contribution Heather Thomas (Chief Executive, Sapphire Independent Housing- joining as an online participant) spoke to outline her support for Brent’s Housing Compact as one of the Registered Housing Providers who had been engaged in its development. Highlighting the importance of the Compact in providing a clear partnership framework between the Council and Registered Providers and support for the five core themes around which it had been developed, the collaborative approach towards its design was welcomed and a means of highlighting the commitment to continue working together to deliver the next outcomes for tenants across the borough.

(b)    Councillor Georgiou was then invited to address Cabinet (having requested to speak on the same item).  Whilst welcoming the intention behind development of the Compact, Councillor Georgiou advised he was keen to ensure this was used as a means of encouraging stronger partnership working between the Council, Registered Providers and Housing Associations.  In seeking the necessary assurances relating to implementation and operation of the Compact, Councillor Georgiou highlighted a number of issues on which he felt further clarification was required, which included:

·            The difference it was expected the Compact would make for residents given its status as a voluntary partnership and lack of legally enforceable statutory obligations that could be imposed on RPs or Housing Associations.

·            The level of accountability in terms of being able to monitor and manage performance issues with RPs or Housing Associations.

·            The level and extent of meaningful engagement with residents in development of the Compact and also in terms of its shaping its ongoing development.

·            The lack of what was felt to be clear measurable outcomes and targets against which delivery of the Compact could be assessed and monitored.

As a result of the issues raised, Councillor Georgiou was keen to ensure that as the Compact developed the Council sought to utilise the experience from a wider range of stakeholders including councillors, resident and tenant groups and community representatives in seeking to reflect lived experience enabling the Compact to succeed and provide a meaningful vehicle for change backed by clear accountability, transparency, resident involvement and measurable outcomes.

Having noted the representations made and advising that the issues on which further clarification had been sought would be addressed following the meeting, Cabinet in welcoming the collaborative approach towards development of the Compact, RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the progress to date in developing the Brent Housing Compact.

(2)    To note that the next phase will include:

·            Engagement with internal teams to confirm and align commitments.

·            Establishment of an RP Working Group.

·            Development of the governance model, including the proposed Housing Compact Board

(3)    To endorse the Draft Housing Compact (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 29 June 2026