The Borough Residents' Forum met on Wednesday 11th September 2019 to discuss updates to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, a draft Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy, and a new contract for electrical testing and urgent works. The meeting also included a tribute to a former member, Mr. R. Bishop.

HRA Business Plan Update 2019/20

The Forum received an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for 2019/20. This plan is a key tool for strategic housing management decisions and demonstrates the financial viability of the Council's management of its housing stock. The report detailed updates since January 2019, including the 2018/19 financial results, housing policy reviews, and forecasts for expenditure, income, and reserve balances. The updated plan confirmed the ongoing financial viability of the Council's housing management and its regeneration and development plans.

Key financial adjustments were presented for approval, including variations totalling £3.301 million for additional development costs on existing schemes and legacy projects, £4.421 million for the installation of sprinklers in sheltered and short-term let properties, and £6.26 million for the reprovision of the Thames Christian School. The majority of these revised cash flows will be funded from reserves, with £70.894 million coming from borrowing. The Forum was assured that the projected debt levels are manageable.

Discussions also touched upon the government's four-year council tenant rent decrease, noting that the current year is the last of that programme. Future rent levels will be set in line with Council policies, which will be updated to reflect regulatory changes from April 2020. The installation of sprinklers in sheltered housing and hostels has commenced, with the budget approved and included in the HRA Business Plan.

The meeting also marked the retirement of Mrs. Lagendijk from the Forum and the stepping down of Mrs. Shirley Price from the Western Area Housing Panel, with both being thanked for their significant contributions.

Draft Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy

A report on the draft Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy was presented, stemming from a review of the Council's resident participation structures following the government's Social Housing Green Paper. A Residents' Working Group (RWG) met five times to inform the draft strategy, which also incorporated feedback from an online survey.

The draft strategy aims to outline how the Council will consult with residents on housing matters, offering various levels of involvement. It is divided into four sections: formal structures, informal participation, engaging the wider community, and consultation arrangements. These sections contain objectives that will be monitored through an Action Plan. The draft strategy is scheduled for a six-week public consultation, with the final version to be presented to the Housing and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive.

A significant point of discussion was the proposed membership model, which suggests that non-resident leaseholders, freeholders, household members, and private sub-tenants would not be eligible to hold chair or treasurer positions on Resident Association (RA) Committees, nor be nominated to attend Area Housing Panels (AHPs) or the Borough Residents' Forum (BRF). While the RWG agreed with this model, two members raised concerns, which were noted in the report. The Forum also discussed the role of non-resident leaseholders and the potential for a Leaseholder Forum, with officers confirming that while all residents are valued, the focus of the proposed model is on council tenants, aligning with the Social Housing Green Paper recommendations. It was clarified that non-residents would not be prevented from being RA members or committee members, only from holding specific leadership roles or attending AHPs/BRF.

Concerns were raised about the low response rate to the resident participation survey, with only 100 respondents. The Council is exploring ways to increase participation in future surveys, including the use of posters on estate notice boards and liaising with the Corporate Communications Team. The Forum supported a proposal for Resident Participation Officers (RPOs) to actively assist in setting up new RAs in areas without existing representation, potentially becoming a performance target. The importance of informal participation routes, such as Housing Community Champions, was also highlighted.

Electrical Testing and Urgent Works Contract

The Forum received a report recommending the adoption of a periodic testing regime for electrical installations in tenanted properties, communal areas of residential blocks, and estate-based non-residential premises. This testing is recommended by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) to address potential fire risks identified in fire risk assessments.

The estimated annual cost for this testing is £533,294. When asked how this cost would be divided between tenanted and communal areas, the Director of Housing and Regeneration undertook to provide a response. It was confirmed that the electrical testing and urgent works would be covered by a single contract, and a bid bond would not typically be sought for this type of contract.

Regarding interim electrical testing practices, officers advised that all properties are inspected when vacant, and any reported defects are addressed. The proposed regime aims to introduce a more comprehensive testing schedule. The Council does not have the capacity to provide an in-house service for this across the Borough.

Tribute to Mr. R. Bishop

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman paid tribute to Mr. R. Bishop, the Joint Vice Chair, who had passed away on 2nd August 2019. They acknowledged his significant time and effort contributed as a Resident Association representative and Joint Vice Chair of the BRF. A minute's silence was held in his memory.