The Borough Residents' Forum met on Wednesday 25 September 2024 to discuss the award of a new grounds maintenance contract and to receive an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan. The Forum also heard an update on the food waste roll-out on housing estates, which will be presented at the next meeting.

Grounds Maintenance Contract Award

The Forum received a report recommending the award of a new six-year contract for grounds maintenance services to council-managed housing estates, commencing on 24 February 2025. The contract includes provisions for the payment of the London Living Wage and the use of electric fleet and equipment where possible. The evaluation process favoured the most economically advantageous tender, with Bidder 2 scoring 80.95% based on a weighting of 60% for price, 30% for non-price factors, and 10% for Social Value. Residents will be consulted on the statutory consultation for the contract.

HRA Business Plan Update

An update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan was presented, detailing revisions to reflect financial results, housing policy reviews, and updated estimates for expenditure, income, and reserve balances. The report confirmed the continuing financial viability of the Council's management of its housing stock, based on current assumptions. Key financial risks and assumptions were discussed, including inflation, rent increases, income collection, voids, interest rates, debt repayment, maintaining existing stock, carbon reduction, fire safety, council-led development, and regeneration projects. The report highlighted that the business plan currently excludes the full impact of decarbonisation and fire safety measures, which will require ongoing monitoring. The Executive Director of Finance confirmed that HRA reserves should not fall by more than £40 million by the end of 2026/27, and any breach would require escalation to Full Council.

Food Waste Roll Out on Housing Estates

The Cabinet Member for Housing informed the Forum that the Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing would attend the next Borough Residents' Forum on 21 November to present an update on the food waste roll-out on housing estates.

Any Other Business

During the Any Other Business section, several points were raised:

• Heating and Metering Bills: Marlene Price reiterated concerns about estates receiving exceedingly high charges for heating and metering, following the Council's agreement with Vital Energy in November 2023. She questioned why this was not brought to the Borough Residents' Forum (BRF) for consultation, even as a courtesy. Residents were informed that the matter was in keeping with the law and that the heating system on the Doddington Estate had been rolled out to a private contractor without prior consultation.
• Capita Contract: Marlene Price also raised concerns about the contract with Capita, signed in November 2023, noting that leaseholders only became aware of it when receiving letters demanding final payments. She requested that the BRF be consulted on contracts affecting estates before they are signed. The Director of Housing and Regeneration acknowledged this as a valid point and suggested resident involvement at the specification stage for larger contracts.
• Safer Neighbourhood Board: Marlene Price informed the Forum about the Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting on 8 October 2024, inviting attendees to the public meeting.
• Sharing Information: A question was raised about sharing contact information among BRF members. The Director of Housing Strategy, Compliance and Enabling confirmed she would check GDPR implications and seek consent via email.
• Social Housing Regulator: The Director of Housing Strategy, Compliance and Enabling provided an update on the role of the Social Housing Regulator following the Grenfell Tower fire. Inspections of local authorities and housing associations are to commence, and the Regulator would be meeting with the Council and residents.
• Grenfell Enquiry: The Director of Housing and Regeneration advised that Part Two of the Grenfell enquiry had concluded with no urgent recommendations for councils. A verbal update would be provided at the next Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and a report would be presented to the next BRF and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November.
• Updated Regulations: Roberta Artioli inquired about receiving information on updated regulations, specifically regarding front entrance doors. Residents would be provided with advice on works carried out to their properties, and an information sheet on front doors would be reviewed for its placement on the Council's website. The Assistant Director of Resident and Estate Services offered to contact Roberta separately regarding her own front door.

The next meeting of the Borough Residents' Forum was scheduled for 21 November 2024.