Agenda item

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

7.1      Jeff Endean (Housing Programmes and Strategy Team Manager) presented the report to the Committee. The key points to note were:

·         The process of decanting tenants from Milford Towers began in 2012 as part of the Council’s long-term plans to regenerate Catford town centre. As an interim measure, a number of the properties that became empty were leased to Notting Hill in March 2013 so that they could be let on a short term basis at sub-market rent.

·         This arrangement was entered into in order to prevent Milford Towers from becoming increasingly empty in advance of the longer term regeneration, whilst also reducing the risk of squatting and anti-social behaviour in the locality. It also provided a mechanism to minimise the amount of rent lost pending regeneration, while offering a housing solution for groups of local residents who may otherwise struggle to obtain self-contained accommodation locally, such as key workers and other people in work on relatively low incomes.

·         The current short-term leases are due to expire in December 2015, as this is the time at which the demolition of Milford Towers was originally expected to commence. The on-going TFL review of options for the location of the South Circular means that demolition will not commence at that time. Given the success of the scheme to date, officers recommend that the lease be extended.

·         In advance of considering the merits of extending the lease arrangement, Notting Hill undertook a survey of its residents to ascertain their level of satisfaction with their homes and with Milford Towers generally. A sample of 10% of the residents were surveyed and based on the results so far the main findings of this exercise were:

o   87% of the residents are happy or very happy with their home in Milford Towers. The remaining 13% are satisfied with their homes

o   Many of the residents comment on the quality of Notting Hill’s housing management service

o   Many of the residents have lived in Lewisham for some time and are satisfied with living in the Catford area. Their tenancy in Milford Towers has allowed them to maintain their jobs in London and maintain their links to local schools and hospitals

o   100% of the residents surveyed said they would want to carry on living in Milford Towers for at least two more years if they are able to

7.2       In response to questions from the Committee, the following was noted:

·         The Council expect to be earning more money due to the extension of the contract. The Council received approximately £600,000 in the last financial year. It is estimated that the proposed extension to the agreement could raise an additional net income to the Council of between £200,000 and £250,000 per annum.

·         If Notting Hill would like to utilise more properties in Milford Towers, this would generate more revenue for the Council.

·         The 1-bedroom properties in Milford Towers are more likely to be used by Notting Hill, whereas the 2-bedroom properties would be used for longer-staying social rent residents.

7.3      RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.