Peter Landman’s report on the Council Cabinet meeting on 17 June

Newham Council is taking action to improve its housing management. The Cabinet was told that a Housing Services Improvement Plan has been produced and that the internal senior management team has been strengthened with the appointment of a Head of Building Safety and the recruitment of independent partners Savil Consultants.

A number of actions have already been taken after last year’s highly critical report on Newham’s housing performance by the government housing regulator. These include:

Safety: a register of vulnerable tenants has been set up for those who would not be able to move in the event of a fire and outstanding electrical condition tests have been carried out.

Stock Condition Surveys: Following the regulator report that 60 percent of council properties have been surveyed during the last five years, a catch up has begun and since March this year an extra 17 percent of properties have been surveyed.

Repairs: A work in progress team has been set up to reduce the number of out of target jobs.

Consultation with Tenants: A Residents Challenge Board has been set up including 12 members of the public to scrutinise the Housing Services Improvement Plan. At the same time the housing department is reviewing the tenant satisfaction survey and public meetings have been held in ward areas.

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