TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS PANEL To: Councillors Alison ......Patricia Hay-Justice, Michael Neal and Sue Winborn A Meeting of the TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS PANEL will be held on TUESDAY

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TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS PANEL To: Councillors Alison Butler, Justin Cromie, Sean Fitzsimons, Tony Harris,

Patricia Hay-Justice, Michael Neal and Sue Winborn

A Meeting of the TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS PANEL will be held on TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2011 at 6.30pm in the THE COUNCIL CHAMBER,

THE TOWN HALL, KATHARINE STREET, CROYDON Contact Officer: Margot Rohan Julie Belvir, Council Solicitor and Senior Members’ Services Manager Monitoring Officer, Director of Legal Tel: 020 8726 6000 and Democratic Services Ext. 62564 Taberner House e-mail: [email protected] Park Lane Croydon CR9 3JS 4 October 2011 Note: Refreshments for Panel Members will be available in Room F4 from 6.00pm Declarations of Interest In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests which are Personal or Personal and Prejudicial, where appropriate. This should be done by completing the Declaration of Interest Form (at the back of these agenda papers or available at the meeting) and handing it to the Clerk at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their declaration orally at the commencement of the Agenda item to which it relates. Completed declaration forms will be placed in the Register of Members’ interests.

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions 2. Apologies for absence

3. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4 July 2011 – circulated (PAGE 3)

4. Matters arising

5. Social housing reform/self financing – Elaine Wadsworth (Head of Housing

Strategy, Commissioning & Standards) & Dave Higgins (Finance Manager) (see report attached PAGE 11)

6. Balcony standards – Nigel Sutton (Special Project Manager) (see report

attached PAGE 19)

7. Update on decent homes – Judy Pevan (Stock Investment Manager) (see report attached PAGE 23)

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8. Update on Energy and environmental sustainability strategy action plan – Judy Pevan (Stock Investment Manager) (see report attached PAGE 29)

9. Resident youth provision panel – verbal report from Sian Foley (Service

Development Manager)

10. Reorganisation of landlord services – Development of tenant working group – verbal report from Dave Sutherland (Managing Director Croydon Landlord Services)

11. Feedback – a) London Tenants’ Federation – Michael Hewlett

b) Mayor’s Housing Forum - Michael Hewlett c) ARCH – Michael Hewlett d) TSA Residents’ Group - Michael Hewlett e) Croydon Voluntary Sector Alliance (CVSA) – Guy Pile-Gray

f) Croydon Congress – Marilyn Smithies g) All Ages Inter-generational Conferemce – Sian Foley

h) Resident Involvement Champions – Chris Stock

12. Any Other Business

13. Dates of Future Meetings – all in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Croydon • 1 February 2012 • 2 April 2012

Agenda Item 3 Tenants’ & Leaseholders’ Panel

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TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS PANEL Notes of the Meeting held on Monday 4 July 2011 in the in the Council Chamber,

Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon.

Present: Liz Reeves (Chair), Michael Hewlett (Vice-Chair), Marion Burchell, Mark Burrell, James Cassidy, Bridget Connors, Peter Cooper, Bob Dean, Jean Dunstan, James Fraser, Hawa Koroma, Jim Mansell, Peter Mason, Guy Pile-Grey, John Piper, Steve Pollard, Marilyn Smithies, Maureen Symes, Jamil Tariq, Laurence Taylor, Bob Varney, Kim Wakely and Eric Webb

Councillors: Sean Fitzsimons, Tony Harris, Patricia Hay-Justice and Sue Winborn Observers: Dave Sutherland (Director of Housing Management Services), Peter

Brown (Director of Housing Needs and Renewal), Sian Foley (Head of Safe & Sustainable Communities),Judy Pevan (Stock Investment Manager), Lorraine Smout (Head of Responsive Repairs), Bob Richardson (Head of Planned Maintenance & Improvements), Chris Stock (Interim Head of Performance & Quality Assurance), Bassey Utit (Youth & early support manager), Angela Wallhead (Interim Resident Participation Manager) Tenants: Mrs Linda Hill, Mrs Phyllis Kirrage, Mrs Sheila Mitchell, Mrs Oriel Weekes

Note taker: Margot Rohan (Senior Members’ Services Manager) Declarations of Interest : None

1. Welcome and Introductions The Chair welcomed all to the meeting, particularly the new members.

2. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllrs Alison Butler and Michael Neal, Janet Callingham, Valerie Davies, Margaret Jones, Lawrance McDowall and Julian Payne.

3. Notes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 5 April 2011 The Notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5 April 2011 were agreed as a true record of the proceedings. N.B. Sheila Mitchell pointed out that she attended this meeting but was omitted from

the attendance.

4. Matters Arising Marilyn Smithies raised the following issue regarding the new 2-weekly waste collection proposal: How will the new cycle impact on sheltered housing blocks which are losing wardens – this is likely to become apparent October/November. ACTION: Dave Sutherland will forward the query to Adult Social Services for a response


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4a. Elections • Chair – Nomination – Liz Reeves – re-elected unopposed • Vice Chair – Nomination – Michael Hewlett – re-elected unopposed • Elections to other groups:

a) Croydon Congress – Nomination – Marilyn Smithies – re-elected unopposed b) Croydon Voluntary Sector Alliance – 2 Nominations – Marilyn Smithies and Guy

Pile Grey – re-elected unopposed c) Election to London Tenant Federation – 2 Nominations – Michael Hewlett and

Liz Reeves – elected unopposed (AGM 20 July – reps from 22 of London Boroughs)

d) Election to ARCH – Nomination – Michael Hewlett – re-elected unopposed

Item 8 was taken here (see below).

5. Integrated Reception Systems (Digital Television Aerials) Bob Richardson (Head of planned maintenance and improvements) gave a summary of the report: • Seeking views to help decide what to do next • Integrated Reception System – as housing landlord ahead of the game –

changed to digital system • Should we now be doing this to other blocks of flats which did not have a

communal system? (£2-2.5million) • 212 blocks already converted • 888 blocks still need to be done (6,500 dwellings) • Consulted with neighbouring boroughs (15) – 58% not intending to put in

communal systems; 41% are planning to do it or have done it already The following issues were raised: • One-feed system installed, before Sky+ - twin signal required for pause TV, HD

etc • Should we give more people satellite/digital access or go back and upgrade

access already given to 4,000 homes (£5-700,000)? • Concern about the general proliferation of satellite dishes. Prefer to have fewer

on blocks of flats - overcladding can be damaged by tenants drilling holes to fit dishes. Limitations on blocks of flats – 2 dishes and then planning permission has to be sought

• Blocks with existing analogue communal systems will have them replaced with digital system.

• Still over 6,000 homes who do not have access to any Sky channels, so have to make decision whether to give more access to those who have some already which would leave the 6,000 without

• 3D – does that require a different system? Action: Bob Richardson to investigate • Would major suppliers be interested in subsidising?

Action: Bob Richardson to investigate (may require minimum number for a deal) • Cable access – where laid, people can make their own arrangements • Still significant areas without cable access • A lot of people may only want to watch terrestrial TV • A single dish can service all tenants – what is cheapest option?

Action: Bob Richardson to investigate and bring report back to next meeting


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• Volume not controlled on box in roof. If everyone switches off, one person gets whole power and needs to turn volume down – not everyone realises

• Council did a deal with Sky – did not support infrastructure of installation. Needs to be revisited.

Action: Bob Richardson to investigate if Sky will install in block so all tenants can access – not in Council’s previous experience but would be a solution

6. TSA (Tenants’ Services Authority) Regulation of Housing Services Update Chris Stock (Interim head of performance & quality assurance) summarised the report: • Regulations changing – now about co-regulation – self assessment • Key area – development of Tenant Scrutiny Panel – ad requesting volunteers for

panel in latest edition of Open House – looking for 10 tenants across the borough • Hope to get panel trained and running by October • Panel will choose areas they want to scrutinise • Report to tenants about how well council performed – working with group of

residents • Different format – summary of report in autumn edition of Open House. • Full report will be available on website • Local offers – TSA allowing tenants to have their own local standards • Last year - Allocations, response repairs, stock investment and resident

participation – should be published shortly • Do we want some more local offers and what should priorities be? • Work with residents to assess how well delivering services – officers, tenants and

councillors • Come back to TLP with proposals how to do this next year

The following issues were raised: • 2007 last working groups on inspections – good area to have local agreement –

how often and what estates should have inspections? • ASB – different response in different parts of borough – needs to be consistent. • How can we hold councils to account? As a last resort, tenants could bid to take over the running Housing Ombudsman being boosted – action can be taken • Streetscene – levels of service need monitoring Survey recently – what services should resident inspectors inspect – top was window cleaning – big issue for people in flats as they are not cleaned above 15 feet.. Second was ASB, then responsive repairs, then caretaking. Disbelief was expressed about window cleaning being top priority. Resident inspection meeting next week in New Addington - last meeting indicated cartaking. • Streetscene – need to co-ordinate work with grounds maintenance. People not

picking up litter. Why are fly tips left for 6-8 weeks? • Caretaking – what supposed to be cleaned and when, when should floors be

washed etc? Should be something in local offer. Caretaking could be part of local offer or go under resident inspection – detailed inspection. Joint monitoring with tenants on caretaking in some parts of the borough. Inspection report may recommend rolling it out across the borough Neighbourhood Voice shows what caretakers are supposed to do


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• Fewer inspectors and more people doing caretaking would get better service Each district has 6,000 properties – only 2 caretaking managers doing inspections • ASB – children up to 10-11 dancing on roofs of sheds – take no notice when told

not to do it. Complained and something is done but it still happens. The following topics were agreed for the local offer:

• ASB • Estate inspections. • Inspection of caretaking service.

7. Resident Participation Performance 2010/11

Angela Wallhead (Interim manager of resident participation team) outlined the report: • Results of survey – Housing Sounding Board • Housing Sounding Board increased to 972 residents – 1000 optimal level • HSB involved in many activities (see Appendix 2) • Res Inv group will assess….of panel later this year • HME now reformed – Ethnic Minority Action Group (EMAG) – 2 members (Guy

Pile-Grey and Barry McLean) – meeting a few weeks ago – where there are issues, group will come together to address with officer – no TOR or constitution yet

• Resident Impact Effectiveness Report being compiled • Future targets – review of all activities. • Neighbourhood Voices and Mystery Shoppers – valuable feedback • Contacting those who sign up and do not complete report to get forms back • More mystery shoppers being trained • Resident Inspectors’ Team – inspecting grounds maintenance • Proposal to change name to Housing Service Inspectors’ Team – not decided

yet • HSB Satisfaction survey – help future benchmarking with other local authorities

Guy Pile-Grey: EMAG - Only one meeting. HME not working – poorly attended. Sizeable community from ethnic minorities – trying to reach those hard to reach groups. Trying to find a new way to deal with issues BME have. Marilyn Smithies would like to attend as observer. New Addington and Fieldway are the 2 most diverse wards in borough. EMAG can be promoted at People’s Day on 1 October. Liz Reeves: To get CHPs working, we need to get leaflets out – we were promised some but none were provided. Angela Wallhead: I understood leaflets were produced and delivered – will check. Maureen Symes: Can deliver to one person who will distribute. It was noted that Page 39 only shows figures up to Spring 2010 Angela Wallhead to check and provide updated figures if available


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8. Shaping Up the Youth Service - Update Bassey Utit (Youth & early support manager) gave a brief summary of the salient points:

• Youth Service restructured • Questions raised at last meeting about commissioning • Meeting with Housing and further meetings to identify key issues • Delivering service to young people living on estates • Doing it in partnership • Loops – opportunity for young people to sample different experiences • Limited budget for each locality - £40,000 • Meetings to identify what needed

The following issues were raised:

• Boys being offered decorating and girls hairdressing – should all be offered same opportunities

Based on feedback from young people. No intention to exclude. Consulting with young people and providing activities in which they are interested.

• Let young people tell us what they want, rather than waste money on things they do not

• TLP should be consulted about how youth activities fund spent TLP will be consulted as part of the process. Initially Housing was consulted in order to identify key issues. No final decisions have been made regarding allocation of £120,000 this year. Looking at ways to link in with other housing associations and youth provision providers – want rep from TLP, one from youth panel and 5 from locality groups. Will come back to TLP with proposals – any commissioning services using this funding will only be for services to young people on estates

• Not clear on function of reps – need more information Meeting with interested parties within next Month –Marion Burchell, Cllr Patricia Hay- Justice, Michael Hewlett, Hawa Koroma, Guy Pile-Grey, Stephen Pollard, Liz Reeves, Marilyn Smithies and Kim Wakely will talk through the issues and come back to the next TLP. Intention is to have locality groups set up within 6 months

• What ages will be consulted – will proposals be implemented before they become adults?

9. Feedback from External Organisations

London Tenants’ Federation (LTF) – Michael Hewlett gave feedback from latest meeting:

• Grant runs out in Sep 2012 • Funding problems - either cease, set up as a charity or ask for donations • Producing brochure so can circulate if have to go for external funding • Venue cancelled – looking for another – in London

Mayor’s Housing Forum – Michael Hewlett gave an update:

• Battle with the Mayor at Affordable Housing Conference • Interested in Social Rented Housing • London Housing Strategy 2008-12 – 50,000 affordable homes to be built,

30,000 for rent • 13570 new homes built – 3567 were rebuilds – not new builds • Taking up very strongly with forum – 15 July – to justify and ask why not

keeping up to promises


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ARCH – Michael Hewlett gave an update: • Meeting this morning – conference in Milton Keynes • Biggest feedback – fewer speeches, more time for workshops and Q&A • Next year’s conference – looking for local authority to host – Croydon? • Association pays for food etc – accommodation for conference needed • Agenda – work for year (a lot depends on Localism Bill – November), getting

greater feedback from tenants TSA Residents’ Group - Michael Hewlett:

• Suspended all stakeholder groups – concentrating on National Tenant Organisations • TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service), TAROE (Tenants and Residents

Organisations of England and Co-op Movement • Most of local authorities do not belong to these organisations so not true

consultation of all tenants • TSA to be integrated into Housing Communities Agency so nothing happening

Community Network/CVSA – Guy Pile-Grey:

• Reformed as CVSA (Croydon Voluntary Sector Alliance) – one meeting • Priorities not yet set • Discussion about cuts and how voluntary sector going to cope for next few years • Number of groups working together • Small pot of money – Small Grants Fund for new groups in voluntary sector

o Deadline for applying 8 July but another round later in the year • LINk – based around patient care in NHS

o Disbanded but will continue in different form – HealthWatch o Currently discussing in CVA – opinions sought on what new

HealthWatch should be focusing • Talk2Croydon, CVA or Guy can help with any questions

Croydon Congress (previously LSP) – Marilyn Smithies:

• First meeting 10 May Fairfield Halls, lasting 4 hours • Meeting began with a welcome by Cllr Mike Fisher , Chair of Croydon’s Local

Strategic Partnership and Leader of the council • Tony Travers, Director of Greater London Group, London School of Economics

was keynote speaker • Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of Croydon Council gave presentation on Council

perspective • Nero Ughwujabo, Chief Executive of Croydon BME Forum gave presentation

on Croydon Community perspective • ‘The Big Debate’ followed lunch, introduced and facilitated by Tony Travers • ‘Big Ideas’ put forward by spokesperson for each table • First meeting raised more questions than answers • Next meeting 20 October 2011

Resident Involvement Champions – Chris Stock:

• Conference in London on Tenant Scrutiny – officers and tenants • Just over 80 attended • Marilyn Smithies and Michael Hewlett helped run workshop on Croydon’s

proposals • Good feedback – invited to run further workshop in July • Thank you to Marilyn and Michael for their support


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10. Any Other Business

• Increase in knife crime o Rally & march along North End to demonstrate about cutting down knife

and gun crime taking place on 31 July afternoon 2-5pm. o Trying to stop parents and youths acquiring knives and guns.

• Jean Dunstan: Thank you for to Simon Mander for coming to talk about recycling at last meeting – done everything he said he would.

• Dave Sutherland: ASB enforcement team to continue but linemanaged and joined with Community Safety Team.

o Should be absolutely no change in service. • Open House – article about new entryphone systems in flats – out of 19 eco

systems – 4 to Foxcombe, 5 to Kestrell way, 5 to Longheath Gardens. What were the savings? Not very representative of whole borough.

o Full answer will be provided for the next meeting o Dedicated budget now – ad hoc not the best way o Used crime stats and hot spot information

• Some members of resident participation team recently lost o May see some reduction in service from team over next few weeks until

recruited new members. o Thank you to Verna Francis – now on secondment to CYPL

11. Dates of Future Meetings – all in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Croydon

11 October 2011 1 February 2012 2 April 2012

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.52pm

10


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Lead Officer: Executive director of adult services and housing Wards: All Agenda Item: 5

Subject: SOCIAL HOUSING REFORM 1. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.1 The panel is asked to note this report and consider how residents can be

involved in consultation on the future direction for the council. 2. SUMMARY

2.1 The coalition government has embarked on a wide-ranging review of the

legislation and policies relating to social housing. This report provides a summary of the changes emerging from the review, the implications for Croydon, and the work which the council will need to do, in partnership with local residents, to develop its own response and ensure that the borough is equipped for a very different landscape in future.

3. BACKGROUND 3.1 As with many other areas of government reform, there are two major driving

forces behind social housing reform: reducing public expenditure and, therefore, reducing the national deficit; and devolving power from both central and local government to the public so that they can exert greater influence on what happens in their local areas and hold their authorities to account. Reflecting this second factor, the government is to a large extent removing provisions which require local authorities to act in certain ways and, instead, giving them the flexibility to determine the best way forward for their local areas. And the best local solutions will require full involvement of local people.

3.2 Much of the government’s new approach, and certainly the new flexibilities, will be introduced through the Localism Bill, which we expect to be enacted in November 2011. Other changes will be implemented through changes to regulations or just through new ways of working. Perhaps the biggest implications for Croydon are from the changes to welfare benefits although these are being introduced over time and are still subject to discussions. Given that we are still only some way through the timetable of preparatory work, the council is not yet in a position to set out the full options for the future but this report does explain the areas which we will need to look at and the way in which residents will be consulted and involved.


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3.3 The reform agenda will mean changes to:

• social housing regulation • the housing revenue account and resources available to local authority

landlords • the demand for housing arising from changes to housing benefit • the supply of affordable housing arising from a reduction in the

government’s housing grant-funding programme • allocations – how social homes are allocated • tenure and mobility – length of tenancies and ease of moving home.

4. SOCIAL HOUSING REGULATION 4.1 The Tenant and Leaseholder Panel considered a report on regulation at its

meeting in July. In summary, the changes seek to put local people in control of driving up the standards of their landlord. The abolition of the Tenant Services Authority, and the limiting of the new regulator (the Homes and Communities Agency) to addressing serious failings only, will place tenants and leaseholders centre stage in monitoring how well the council complies with national standards, in developing local standards, and in scrutinising performance.

4.2 As the panel will be aware, the council has been setting up a tenant scrutiny

panel to lead on this new role. Recruitment is still under way (at the time of finalising the report), and training of the new panel members will start later this month. The panel will work independently of the council and co-ordinate the scrutiny activities including service inspections, mystery shopping and tenant surveys. The scrutiny panel will make recommendations for service improvements to the departmental management team. All scrutiny panel reports will also be brought to this panel. The scrutiny panel should be fully operational from November 2011.

4.3 The government is to have just one housing ombudsman in future (covering complaints about council and housing associations) but it has proposed to introduce a “democratic filter” to the complaints process. A tenant who has exhausted the landlord’s complaints procedure without resolution will be required to refer the complaint to a local councillor, MP or tenant panel before being able to refer his complaint to the ombudsman. Both landlords and tenants have expressed concerns that this “filter” will deter tenants from pursuing their complaints because of the extra bureaucracy so it remains to be seen if this proposal is dropped. The council does stress, however, that it does have in place a robust complaints mechanism and will always try to resolve issues locally and speedily.

5. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) AND SELF-FINANCING 5.1 The government will be making some big changes to the system which governs

how local authorities manage the finances relating to their housing stock. At the moment, some councils pay into a national housing subsidy pot each year, whilst other councils receive a payment from the national pot. Croydon pays


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into the pot (£16m in 2011/12). In order to end this system, the national housing debt will effectively transfer to local authorities requiring them to take out loans which will be repaid through the HRA. For Croydon, this will mean a loan of about £204m. From April 2011, the council will have full responsibility for managing and maintaining its housing stock.

5.2 The council is currently investigating the implications of various options and scenarios such as loan periods, interest rates and inflation rates. There will also be a cap on how much borrowing the council can do against the HRA. Once these questions are resolved, we will have a clearer idea of the level of resources available for investment in the coming years and we will be consulting tenants and leaseholders on the priorities for this investment. The best estimate at present is that resources will be tight in the first few years as we start to pay off the debt but there will be sufficient for important priorities such as maintaining all homes at the decent home standard and building new homes. The council will also look at how we can present complex financial information so that tenants and leaseholders can meaningfully assess our performance as a landlord.

5.3 The panel should note that the HRA will continue to be “ring-fenced”: money raised from rents cannot be used to cross-subsidise other council budgets and council tax cannot be used to cross-subsidise council housing.

6 WELFARE REFORM (HOUSING BENEFIT)

6.1 One of the major contributions to cuts to public sector spending will be welfare

benefit reform and, specifically, housing benefit (HB). Caps on benefits – based on local housing costs or household circumstances – will have significant implications for individual households. Private tenants will be most directly affected but council and housing association tenants will also be affected.

6.2 HB is now subject to national caps (or maximums) and is also limited to a proportion of the average market rent in the relevant area – effectively this limits tenants to roughly the cheapest third of all private sector housing. So, for example, the average market rent for a three-bedroom home in Croydon is £254 a week whilst only £242 will be eligible for HB1. The government’s hope from this reform is that private landlords, who rely on housing benefit claimants to use their homes, will reduce their rents to the level of the caps, and this will in turn reduce the HB bill. The risk though is that, because there is such a shortage of housing in London and south-east England, landlords will be able to find other tenants who are not on HB with the result that HB claimants will be evicted. So far, the indications are that landlords, with some exceptions (those renting out single rooms), do not feel obliged to reduce rent levels with the result that tenants will be building up arrears and eventually facing eviction.

1 Not a direct comparison because the 30th percentile figure relates to the outer south London area whilst the rent level relates to Croydon as a borough; however, the majority of Croydon is included within the outer south London area


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6.3 The effects in terms of homelessness are potentially very significant. The caps will begin to take effect from January 2012: our research has estimated that potentially 145 Croydon households will face homelessness in 2011/12 and approaching 1,000 over the two years from April 2012. Because of very high prices in central London, the effects there are far more severe and we anticipate that many households will migrate to cheaper areas like Croydon: our research estimates that about 550 households will be displaced and move to Croydon during 2012/13.

6.4 These caps will not directly affect social housing tenants but the indirect effect will be important. There will be greater pressure on the social housing stock, especially for larger homes which will be subject to the most stringent caps, with growing waiting lists and longer times to get rehoused for everyone, regardless of whether they are affected by the caps.

6.5 A more direct effect on council tenants will be the proposed capping of HB to the size of property which a household requires, rather than which it occupies. This will only apply to households of working age but will leave a large number of under-occupying tenants with a shortfall in their weekly benefit. Given the limited capacity to move those households to smaller homes, at least in the short term, we do not yet know if some protection will be given to existing under-occupiers who cannot find smaller accommodation. This reform comes into effect from April 2013.

7 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING

7.1 Historically, the government has funded a large proportion of the building costs of new affordable homes through grant to housing associations. In future, the amount of grant per home will be reduced (from 60% to about 15%) with the shortfall being made up from private loans. In order to fund the higher borrowing, the rents on new homes will be higher than for other social rented homes, and will be known instead as “affordable rents”. These rents will be up to 80% of market rents (social rents are about 50%) although in London they are likely to average out at 65%. As this will still not provide sufficient resources for repayments, the housing associations which build new homes will also start charging affordable rents on a proportion of their existing homes as they become vacant and are re-let to new tenants.

7.2 The Homes and Communities Agency, which manages the affordable housing programme, has been working with housing associations interested in developing, and has been agreeing with them the necessary financial provisions. These contracts will not, however, be borough-specific. So, whereas in the past we would know how much funding and how many homes would be built in Croydon at the beginning of the programme, we don’t at this stage know how many of the homes planned for London will be here. Housing associations will be taking into account various factors which affect the financial viability of new housing developments such as land values and sale prices. Croydon council remains highly committed to building new homes in the borough and we will be discussing with housing associations the best way to achieve this. We have an excellent track record of working well with developing


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associations together with sufficient land capacity and attractive sites. Nevertheless, because there will be a reduction in the number of new homes being built in London, we know that new supply levels will fall over the next few years.

7.3 The reduction in the number of new homes, together with the expected increase in the number of homeless households, is clearly of great concern to the council. The main solution will to ensure that there is good access to private sector housing at rents which are eligible for housing benefit, and good liaison with private landlords. An important change to the homelessness legislation will allow councils to discharge their duty to accommodate households in priority need by securing private sector housing (at present, this is only acceptable if the household consents). This will help to manage the increasing pressure on social housing but does of course require a supply of housing from private landlords at rents eligible for housing benefit. Unfortunately, landlords have been pulling out from our existing accommodation schemes because of the HB issue. We do have in place a programme to help mitigate the impact of the various reforms - for example, we are liaising with landlords to prevent evictions following reductions in HB, and we are tendering for a private licensing agreement with accommodation providers in order to provide an attractive package for landlords.

7.4 The council’s approach to these major supply and demand issues will have to be included in the new housing strategy which is currently under development. We will be consulting residents, registered providers (housing associations), partner agencies and stakeholders on a range of proposals and responses to the housing reforms discussed above. The consultation will explore: investment in new housing; protecting and enhancing our existing housing; housing-related support; meeting housing need through housing advice and options; and housing management (which will include looking at ways of including tenants in the management of housing repair and maintenance services and sharing in any savings made). The tenant and leaseholder panel, and residents more generally, will be involved in this consultation, and the panel is asked to note in particular the consultation event scheduled for 28 November at the Fairfield Halls to which panel members will be invited.

8 ALLOCATIONS AND OVERCROWDING

8.1 Local authorities will have greater freedom in future when it comes to deciding who is eligible to go on their housing waiting lists. There will still be some legal provisions: some groups of people will still have reasonable preference for rehousing and some groups of people from abroad will not be eligible. But there will also be more local discretion. The council has been developing a range of options for how the housing register should work in Croydon, and we will be modelling the different options to see how different groups will be affected as well as consulting various stakeholders including tenants, leaseholders and applicants on the waiting list.


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8.2 One of the things the government would like is for social housing to benefit a wider group of people than in the past and to play a bigger part in helping households who are starting out or facing financial difficulties to get back on their feet, and that will be one of our questions. We will also be discussing how we treat households with a poor tenancy history, how we prioritise homeless households in relation to other applicants who have perhaps been registered for a long period of time and who are experiencing some level of need, and how we might recognise contributions to the community, in particular from members of the armed forces. Consultation on changes to our allocations scheme will commence in the autumn of 2011 and will run for three months.

8.3 The government is reviewing the current provisions concerning overcrowding because of the complexity and inconsistency. It will make sense for the council to change its definition to bring it into line with the national standard – as a consequence, this will affect the size of home that some categories of waiting list applicants are offered and, therefore, their level of priority for rehousing. Consultation on this proposal will be included within the wider consultation on the allocations scheme.

9 TENURE AND MOBILITY

9.1 The Localism Bill will create a new type of tenancy for local authorities to offer to some or all new tenants. The new 'flexible tenancy’ allows landlords to offer a tenancy for a fixed period of at least two years (as opposed to the current lifetime secure tenancy which will remain as an option). The reason behind this move is the government’s aim, mentioned above, to “make social housing go further” and benefit more people than in the past.

9.2 Each housing provider will have to produce a policy stating how it proposes to use fixed-term tenancies - the circumstances in which they will grant lifetime tenancies or tenancies with fixed terms, the length of fixed-term tenancies and so on. The government has said that flexible tenancies should normally last at least five years, and tenancies of two years should only be used in exceptional circumstances. The panel should also note that existing secure tenants will not be affected by the change: they will remain on secure tenancies even if they transfer to another social home (or will move to an assured tenancy should they transfer to a housing association home).

9.3 Within one year of the Localism Bill being passed there will be a duty on local authorities to publish a strategic tenancy policy consistent with their homeless strategy and allocation scheme. Other social landlords in the area will be expected to conform to the strategy. The council will start consultation on this policy once the localism bill is passed in the autumn and aim to complete it by the summer of 2012. We will use a wide range of methods to consult including using existing meetings.


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9.4 The Localism Bill includes the power for the housing regulator to set standards that require all housing providers to provide their tenants with access to a mutual exchange scheme. Existing web-based mutual exchange schemes will be linked to ensure that all tenants have access to a national homeswap database. The national database was due to go live during summer 2011 but as yet it has not. The Greater London Authority (GLA) and London councils have agreed policies underpinning a pan-London mobility scheme, due for sign-off in August 2011.

10 EQUALITIES CONSIDERATIONS 10.1 The government is under the same duties as the council to ensure that

protected groups are not unfairly affected by changes to national policies and legislation, and it has been carrying out consultation and impact assessments. It will be important though for the council to carry out its own impact assessments as it develops local policies, partly because these will be specific or unique to Croydon, and partly because the range of policies will have different impacts on protected groups. The consultation plans referred to in this report will seek to ensure that we identify issues for protected groups and ways of ensuring fairness.

___________________________________________________________________ Report Author: Elaine Wadsworth, head of housing strategy, commissioning and standards, ext. 62345 Contact Person: As above

18


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19

Lead Officer: Managing director of croydon landlord services Wards: All Agenda Item: 6 Subject: CODE OF GUIDANCE - PRIVATE BALCONIES 1. SUMMARY 1.1 This report advises the Panel of a proposed code of guidance (the code) to

help clarify the type of activities on private balconies which the Council may consider to be reasonable use or enjoyment without endangering or causing a nuisance to themselves, other residents or the public or giving rise to complaints.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Panel is asked to note the report and to support the proposal to introduce

the code of guidance to apply to private balconies of both tenanted and leasehold Council flats.

3. BACKGROUND 3.1 With the increasing involvement of resident representatives and elected

members in estate inspections different expectations concerning the acceptable use of balconies have been expressed. The proposed code aims to clarify what may be considered acceptable use.

3.2 The proposed code sets out type of activities on private balconies which the

Council may consider to be reasonable use or enjoyment without endangering or causing a nuisance to themselves, other residents or the public or giving rise to complaints.

3.3 Whilst the proposed code will not form part of the Conditions of tenancy, it will

ensure that tenants and leaseholders are aware of the sort of activities that could be considered to be breaches of the Conditions of tenancy.

4. THE PROPOSED CODE OF GUIDANCE 4.1.1 The proposed code is set out in a straightforward list of inclusive Do’s and

Don’ts and has been drafted based on housing management experience in dealing with complaints, feedback from estate inspections and takes into consideration the every day use that can be reasonably expected to made of private balconies.


11 October 2011

20

4.2 The London fire brigade have been consulted on the content of the proposed code as fire safety in Council flats is an issue that the Council takes very seriously. The London fire brigade support the proposed code and have commented that they are particularly concerned about the storage of flammable material and the risk of ignition sources on balconies as this can affect not only the residents associated with the balcony but other balconies and residencies.

4.3 The Council’s senior health and safety consultant agrees with the list of Do’s

and don’ts contained within the proposed code. 4.2 The code contains the following list of Do’s and Don’ts

OK To dry washing on collapsible dryers and on low level retractable lines within the confines of the balcony. To store pedal bikes and children’s toys as long as they are not stacked above balcony height. To store baby buggies and prams as long as they are not stacked above balcony height. To store and use garden tables and chairs as long as they are not stacked above balcony height. To display pot plants and tubs that are properly secured To engage in activities that do not endanger or cause a nuisance to your neighbours. Not OK To dry washing on the balcony using permanent washing lines or on a rotary drier fixed to the balcony. To store calor gas bottles, or any other LPG gas containers or other fuels in containers. To store old furniture and other materials or liquids that can be a fire or safety hazard To store motor bikes, motor scooters car parts and machinery To store bags of household rubbish before they are put in the refuse bins To have BBQ`s To display pot plants and tubs that are not properly secured To store any goods which may be or become a Health and Safety concern. Any other activities that may endanger or cause a nuisance to your neighbours for example leaving dogs unattended or letting them foul the balcony floor.

5. THE NEXT STEPS 5.1 It is proposed that the Panel indicate their support for the implementation of the

proposed code and that it is publicized on the Council’s website and in Open House which is sent to all tenants and leaseholders. New tenants will receive a copy of the code in their welcome packs.

6. COMMENTS OF THE SOLICITOR TO THE COUNCIL


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21

6.1 The Solicitor to the Council comments that, if agreed, the code will have similar status to the advice given to tenants in the tenant’s handbook. Particularly, where the type of activity complained of is referred to in the code, of which a tenant or leaseholder has had notice, this would support any subsequent action for breach of the tenancy or lease conditions.

7. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 7.1 There are no financial considerations arising from the implementation of the

proposed code of guidance as detailed in this report. 8 EQUALITIES CONSIDERATIONS 8.1 The proposed code of guidance for private balconies will be applied to be

inclusive of all residents within council accommodation where there are private balconies. There are no new equality implications arising from the content of this report. .

9 CRIME AND DISORDER REDUCTION IMPACT 9.1 There is no crime and disorder reduction impact arising from this report. 10 HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS 10.1 There are no direct human rights consideration arising from this report. 11 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/DATA PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS 11.1 There are no direct freedom of information/data protection considerations

arising from this report. Report author: Nigel Sutton, Project Manager, Ext: 61425 Background Documents: None

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Lead Officer: Executive director adult services, health and housing Wards: All AGENDA ITEM 7 Subject: Update on the decent homes standard 1. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.1 The Panel is asked to comment on the report detail.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 This report is to update the Panel on meeting the decent homes standard by 31

March 2011. 2.2 This report also updates the panel on 2011/12 investment in council housing

stock. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 The Government set a national target that all homes should be a ‘decent

standard’ by 2010/11. A decent home is one that meets four criteria, namely: meet the current statutory minimum fitness standard for housing (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) for housing; is in a reasonable state of repair; has modern facilities and services; and provides a reasonable level of thermal comfort.

3.2 The table below shows that Croydon met the standard as at 31st March 2011.

Decent Homes criteria % of homes that meet the Decent Homes Standard at 1 April 2011

Fitness (now HHSRS) 100 Reasonable repair 100 Modern facilities 100 Thermal Comfort 100 Properties that meet all criteria

100


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4. DELIVERY OF DECENT HOMES 2010/11 4.1 This section identifies the main categories of investment carried out during

2010/11 contributing towards meeting the Decent Homes Standard namely:

- internal modernisation delivered through an extensive kitchen and bathroom programme to meet modern facilities

- key components (achieving reasonable repair) - thermal comfort

Internal modernisation 4.2 Properties included in the 2010/11 internal modernisation programmes were

those that failed on at least three counts of the Modern Facilities criterion of the Decent Homes Standard due to the age and condition of both the kitchen and the bathroom as well as inadequate noise insulation and/or an inappropriately located bathroom and wc, or because they had inadequate space and layout in the kitchen and/or where a Category 1 HHSRS2 issue was identified.

4.3 The kitchen and bathroom refurbishment programme started in 2002/3 and, by

the end of 2010/11, 5,557 homes had received new kitchens and/or bathrooms with a total investment of £64,666m.

4.4 In 2010/11 the Council modernised kitchens and/or bathrooms in 791 homes. Of these, 129 had adapted bathrooms, 58 had bathrooms only and 51 homes had kitchens only.

4.5 The 2010/11 programme also included 22 properties that were identified as

requiring kitchen and bathroom extensions in order to meet the space and layout requirements.

Key components 4.6 During 2010/11 the following key items of work were completed:

- 32 homes were rewired at a cost of £54k - 27 homes had structural works carried out at a cost of £1.3m - 4 homes benefitted from roof structure works3 at a cost of £6,992 - 230 homes had new windows installed at a cost of £582k - 23 homes had central heating installed where previously did not have any - 472 homes had their central heating upgraded at a cost of £1,211,398 - 33 properties had security doors installed at a cost of £53,511 - 67 properties had their loft insulation upgraded at a cost of £23k

2 HHSRS – Housing Health and Safety Rating System which replaced the Fitness Standard 3 4 roofs 463-469 King Henrys Drive comprising renew guttering, fascias & rainwater pipes


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Home Improvement Surveys 4.7 Since April 2008 a total of 4,000 homes have had 100% internal and external

home improvement surveys carried out by a qualified building surveyor. The surveys take between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the type of the property and collect up-to-date information on the condition of all the elements of a home, including windows, roofs, kitchens, bathrooms and central heating. A detailed HHSRS assessment is done at the time if required. The aim of the survey is to gain access to 100% of the stock as part of a rolling survey. The data collected is used to update our stock database and enables us to continue building accurate programmes of works to maintain our stock in a decent condition into the future.

5.0 2011/12 INVESTING IN DECENT HOMES 5.1 Whilst 100% of Croydon’s homes met the decent home standard on 31 March

2011, all homes will, over time and without ongoing maintenance, deteriorate and eventually fall below the standard, for example as kitchens and bathrooms age. The programme of investment which has enabled the council to meet this target will therefore need to continue on an ongoing basis. We will therefore continue to survey the stock and use the information to inform both the kitchen and bathroom refurbishment programme, and any provisional programmes which are necessary in future years.

5.2 The repairs and improvement report that went to Tenant and Leaseholder panel

in March 2011 outlined investment programmes and priorities for 2011/12, based on the information about our stock referred to above.

5.3 The report set out the level of investment in kitchens and bathrooms together

with the ongoing and, in some cases, increased investment in key components e.g. external decorations; windows; roofs; central heating and rewiring that contribute to maintaining the council’s housing stock.

6.0 UPDATE ON 2011/12 PROGRAMMES

Kitchen and bathroom programme

6.1 The Council is continuing to deliver its kitchen and bathroom programme with its two long-term partnering contractors, Lovell Partnerships Ltd and Mulalley & Company Ltd. Mulalley’s programme for kitchen and bathroom refurbishment has been increased from £2m identified in the capital programme at the beginning of the year to £2.5m. In addition Lovell has been allocated £1m to provide extensions to 27 properties that do not meet the decent homes standard on modern facilities (space and layout).


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Energy efficiency and sustainability 6.2 138 energy efficient boiler will be installed including work under way at Gillett

(66) and Garnett (66) at an overall estimated cost of £515k (including scaffolding). A further 461 properties will have their boilers upgraded including 336 properties at Handcroft Road and 47 planned at Fisher Close. These activities will contribute towards achieving on-going improvements to the SAP rating of council housing stock which stands at RdSAP2005 69.5 as at March 2010.4

Older people’s strategy 6.3 During 2010/11 55 properties in retirement and special sheltered schemes

received new kitchens and bathrooms including 25 adapted bathrooms. Seven retirement housing properties are on the 2011/12 programme including

at Gillett and Garnet (see above) External decorations 5.7 The contract for this long-term partnering contract has been awarded to

Mulalley. Painting started at the end of August and, in order to maximise the amount of painting that can be carried out during 2011/12, Mulalley have been asked to concentrate mainly on houses plus 12 sheltered housing schemes. The budget for painting has been reduced to £1m however this is still a substantial increase on the £200k expenditure level in 2010/11. It is anticipated that funding will be available to allow the Council to maintain or increase this level of expenditure for the next few years so that overdue external decoration works can start to be addressed.

5.8 Key components Investment in key components includes replacement windows, roofs and major

structural works and is carried out to prevent a property falling below the decent homes standard as well as to maintain the condition of the property. This is an area where investment is required and to reflect this, the budget has been set at £1.228m for 2011/12 an increase of £503k on 2010/11. A programme to replace windows in 465 properties has been drawn up and is under way.

6.0 MOVING FORWARD – HRA FREEDOMS 6.1 The Localism bill currently making its way through parliament contains

proposals that will free up the way councils invest in their housing stock. It is expected that the bill will be passed during the autumn to come into effect in

4 SAP is the Governments 'Standard Assessment Procedure' for energy rating of dwellings. SAP provides a simple means of reliably estimating the energy efficiency performance of dwellings. SAP ratings are expressed on a scale of 1 to 100 the higher the number the better the rating. Thus SAP is similar to the fuel consumption of a car under standard driving conditions. SAP2001 was reviewed and RdSAP2005 introduced. Whilst RdSAP2005 figures appear lower than SAP2001 this does not mean that properties are less energy efficient, it just reflects a change in the measurement scale that has been introduced.


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April 2012. Croydon has carried out some modelling on the data that has been provided and however there is still considerable work to be done to work out the best options for Croydon. It is intended that a report will come to Tenants and Leaseholders in February 2012 when more information is available.

7. CONSULTATION PROCESS

7.1 The 2011/12 round of Stock Investment Working Group (SIWG) meetings is

scheduled to take place over September and October with the group discussing a range of topics including delivery of the 2010/11 repairs and improvement budget; investment in decent homes and future planning; energy and environmental sustainability achievements; a review of the housing quality standard and an update on activities e.g. responsive repairs reprocurement.

7.1 An officer from the consultation team within the Programmed Works section

attends each of the Community Housing Panels updating residents on delivery of proposed investment in their areas.

8. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 8.1 The March 2011 Repairs and improvement programme report outlined

resources and proposed programme spend for 2011/12. This report updates the panel on some budget changes and delivery progress.

8.2 As indicated above, a report will come to the panel with further

recommendations on funding as part of HRA freedoms. 9. EQUALITIES CONSIDERATIONS 9.1 Works of repair and improvement are carried out in close consultation with

residents affected. Opportunities to comment on the works proposed are offered by a variety of means e.g. meetings; individual consultation, in order to ensure that no resident are excluded from the consultation process. The work itself improves the quality of life and enjoyment of their home for residents and in many cases will reduce their energy bills and improve comfort levels. Other works are included which will improve the quality of life for disabled and elderly residents and the needs of these residents are taken into account when designing the refurbishment and improvement of services, access to the estate and their homes etc.

9.2 Where there is a new major project there is a requirement that an Equality Impact Assessment (EQiA) be carried out. Recent EQiA’s include those done as part of procurement of the external decorations contract and the new pest control contract.

9.3 Resident feedback is sought on completion of all significant work and this is

used to identify whether there are any service delivery gaps in respect of minority or disadvantaged groups so that action can be taken to address them.


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10. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 10.1 The Housing (Dash) Energy and Environmental Sustainability Strategy for

2008/2012 has been formally signed off by Cabinet and has been launched on the Croydon website. Copies of the strategy can be found at: www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/housing/pdf/756912/eess2009

10.2 A report detailing the outcomes of this consultation and progress towards meeting the action plan targets being delivered to this Tenant & Leaseholder Panel as a separate agenda item.

Report Author: Judy Pevan, Stock investment manager, Ext. 62953 Contact Officer: Judy Pevan, Stock Investment Manager, Ext. 62953 Background Documents None


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Lead Officer: Director of adult services, health and housing Wards: All Agenda Item: 8

Subject: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 1. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.2 The Panel is asked to comment on progress towards achieving the Energy and

Environmental Strategy 2008-2012. 2. SUMMARY

2.1 During 2010/11 there was substantial progress towards meeting the action plan

targets resulting in the Council yet again improving its overall average SAP rating for its housing stock which now stands at SAP79.5 (RdSAP69.5)5.

2.2 Croydon continues to take advantage of external funding opportunities; this

improves the environmental sustainability of its housing stock and allows the council to continue to invest and make progress despite resource pressures from other priorities.

2.3 This report gives an update on the activities contributing to the 2010/11

achievements, as well as introducing 2011/12 targets and further funding opportunities.

3. BACKGROUND 3.1 The 2008-12 Energy and Environmental Sustainability Strategy was approved

by cabinet in April 2008 and supports the objective of a carbon neutral Croydon. The Croydon Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan has set carbon reduction targets for domestic housing of 5% by 2015 and 34% by 2025 from the 2005 baseline. Croydon’s annual state of the environment report (link attached at the end of this report) provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of the aims and achievements of Croydon in meeting these

5 SAP is the Governments 'Standard Assessment Procedure' for energy rating of dwellings. SAP provides a simple means of reliably estimating the energy efficiency performance of dwellings. SAP ratings are expressed on a scale of 1 to 100 the higher the number the better the rating. Thus SAP is similar to the fuel consumption of a car under standard driving conditions. SAP2001 was reviewed and RdSAP2005 introduced. Whilst RdSAP2005 figures appear lower than SAP2001 this does not mean that properties are less energy efficient, it just reflects a change in the measurement scale that has been introduced.


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objectives. It is particularly useful in setting the carbon reduction outcomes from housing referred to during the body of this report in the context of Croydon’s carbon neutral objectives.

3.2 As part of the strategy an action plan was developed with five key themes:

• Provide tenants with affordable warmth • Increase the use of sustainable energy/new technologies • Achieve reductions in waste, emissions, water, and energy use • Engage and involve all stakeholders – residents, members, partnering

contractors and council officers • Ensure all new homes meet the code for sustainable homes level 4.

The action plan sets out for each of the themes the aims, the targets and how the targets would be met. This report gives progress against these targets.

4. DETAIL

4.1 Key achievements

This is the third year of implementation and considerable progress has been made towards meeting targets. Some of the key achievements are:

• As at April 2011 the SAP2001 rating of our stock has risen to 79.5

(RdSAP2005 69.5) • The number of properties with a SAP rating of less than 60 has reduced

to 800 (5.7% of our stock).6 • Dwellings without central heating have been reduced with now only 94

dwellings without central heating compared to 158 at 01 04 09. • 443 old or inefficient boilers were replaced by more efficient condensing

boilers • 44 new Council homes completed meeting Eco-Homes Excellent and

Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 Full details of progress against targets are given in Appendix 1

4.2 GLA environmental funding7

Considerable progress has been made on delivering four GLA funded projects (£2.2m):

• Solar water heating has been installed to seven retirement housing

schemes with one further identified (Laxton House) subject to obtaining consent from the freeholder.

• The programme to upgrade central heating at the Handcroft Road estate has commenced with 40 properties out of 336 completed to date.

• Central heating plus – encourage residents without central heating to

6 The average level of SAP60 was the target set in 2000 as part of the Housing Quality Standard 7 Greater London Authority, Mayor’s targeted funding stream (GLA)


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have central heating installed. This has been very successful with only 94 properties remaining compared to 158 at 01/04/09.

• Over-cladding and internal energy upgrades to 48 hard to heat properties at Ritchie Road and the surrounding area, necessary preliminary work comprising decent homes extensions is underway to be followed by some window replacements and internal energy measures. Over-cladding will commence in 2012/13. This project will save over 130 tonnes CO2 per year and contribute to Croydon’s carbon neutral objective.

4.3 New initiatives

Solar photovoltaic (pv) panels – The Council is currently mid-way through an exercise to identify a suitable contractor to finance and install solar pv panels to a minimum of 1,000 suitable homes. The aim is that by taking advantage of the Government’s feed in tariffs8 we can carry this work out at zero cost to the Council and tenants. The contractor will recoup its investment and make a profit by claiming the feed-in tariff over a 25 year period. Residents will benefit from lower energy bills and the Council will receive a modest income to be used to support climate change projects. Assuming that a minimum of 1,000 systems are installed, the annual CO2 saving will be in excess of 700 tonnes,

SmartHeat – The Council was successful in a bid to this funding source which allows for 23 communal boiler room sites to have insulation jackets fitted to valves and flanges. It is estimated that the energy use could be saved will equate to annual savings of £42,844 and annual CO2 savings of 364 tonnes. Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) funding – this is a government initiative which promotes carbon saving. For example, when completed the energy work planned for Ritchie Road will, ‘save’ a calculated amount of CO2. Based on the amount of CO2 saved, CESP will provide additional funding that can be used to invest in further environmental measures. In this example, it is hoped that funding will be released to carry out similar measures to up to a further 10 properties, saving an additional 27 tonnes CO2 per year. The Council is ensuring that all new and existing sources of environmental funding are actively pursued.

5. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 5.1 The GLA schemes are fully funded. The 2011/12 capital programme includes

an environmental sustainability budget which funds for example the loft insulation upgrade programme.

5.2 The commitment to continue progress in achieving the action plan targets is

reflected in the Housing Revenue Account 30-year Business Plan. 5.3 Additional funding helps to alleviate some of the pressures involved in funding

progress towards the targets in the strategy. 8 Feed-in tariff is a term used to describe a government initiative whereby units of energy can be ‘sold’ to the national grid for an agreed amount (tariff)


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6. EQUALITIES CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 An equality impact assessment of Croydon’s Housing Strategy 2006-10 was

undertaken and consulted upon in 2006. This identified that consistently high investment over the last decade has led to the Council having one of the best energy efficiency ratings of all London boroughs and that the Council aims to improve the energy efficiency further through a range of measures. These are of particular benefit to people who spend more time in their homes, such as young families and older people. An updated Housing Strategy is currently being drafted and the Equality Impact Assessment will be reviewed as part of this process.

6.2 Equality impact assessments are currently being developed as part of GLA

project delivery. ___________________________________________________________________ Report Author: Peter Brown, Director of Needs and strategy, Ext. 65474 Contact Person: Judy Pevan, Stock investment manager, Ext. 62953 Background Documents: 1) Energy and environmental sustainability strategy 2008-2012 www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/housing/pdf/756912/eess2009 2) Appendix 1 - Action plan showing 2010/11 achievements and 2011/12 targets 3) Croydon’s annual State of the environment report www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/environment/pdf/sereport.pdf

Agenda Item 8 Appendix Tenants’ & Leaseholders’ Panel

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EES: ACTION PLAN: Progress and Targets as at August 2011

Priority 1: Provide tenants with affordable warmth

Aim Target 09/10 Target

09/10 Outcome

10/11 Target

10/11 Outcome

11/12 Target

11/12 Outcome

2012/13 Target

Improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock and reduce our housing carbon footprint (*see report – some wrongly showing no central heating) NEW TARGET Handcroft Road NEW TARGET Ritchie Road

Annual Improvements in average SAP2001 (SAP2005) ratings All properties to have minimum of SAP 60 by 2015 (1075 dwellings at 01/04/2009) Remaining properties to have Central Heating (158 at 01/04/09) Provide Energy Performance Certificates to all new let dwellings All properties to meet Decent Homes Thermal Comfort criteria Upgrade heating at 336 properties at Handcroft Road, annual saving of 0.7 tons of CO2 Replace 2 x communal heating pumps Deliver a package of environmental energy retrofit measures to 48 properties including over cladding; loft insulation upgrades; draft proofing and water butts, annual saving of over 115 tonnes CO2 Top up loft insulation to properties

79 864 20 On-going 4 to do 0 0 n/a n/a

79 864 21 (137 left) On-going All meet 0 0 n/a 55

79.5 800 27 On-going n/a 0 0 n/a n/a

79.5 (69.5) 800 16 (121 left) On-going n/a 0 0 n/a 72

80 740 11 On-going n/a 336 2 n/a

tbc tbc tbc (94 left) On-going n/a 36 to date 2 n/a

tbc tbc tbc On-going n/a tbc n/a 48


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where requested and/or identified Continue double glazed window installation programme

230 individual homes

465

Priority 2: Increase the Use of Sustainable Energy/New Technologies


09/10 Outcome

10/11 Target

10/11 Outcome

11/12 Target

11/12 Outcome

12/13 target

Identify and develop opportunities for sustainable energy and new technologies within our stock (* Laxton Court – freeholder Tesco’s did not give consent) NEW TARGET

Develop a programme of solar water installations where suitable and subject to budget 350 properties per annum to have new upgraded A Rated boilers. Annual saving of up to 1.1 tCO2 per boiler. All 14,000 properties to have low energy light bulbs: all new tenants to receive low energy light bulbs* Install a minimum of 1,000 solar pv systems. Annual saving of 850 tCO2 upwards

2 Sheltered

blocks 4 Larger

Homes

350 1500 0

2 Sheltered

blocks 4 Larger

Homes

434 1597 0

8 Sheltered blocks 4 larger homes 350 1,500 (estimated no. of voids) 0

7 blocks completed* 0 495 925 actual voids 0

0 4 c/f 350 1,153 0

0 0

500 (2013/14 500)

* (All new tenants receive low energy light bulbs. Some dwellings will become void more than once during this scheme)


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Priority 3: Achieve Reductions in Waste, Emissions, Water, and Energy Use


09/10 Outcome

10/11 Target

10/11 Outcome

11/12 Target

11/12 Outcome

12/13 Target

Increase waste recycling amongst our tenants

Contribute to Croydon’s annual improvement in recycling Programme of installation of 360 mini-recycling facilities on our estates)

360

370 Programme completed

N A

N A

N A

N A

Reduce water use in our stock Water conservation

750 bathrooms to be replaced giving savings of on average 4 litres per flush . Giving an annual water saving of 32,100 metres cubed Fit waterbutts as part of Mayor’s Bid to selected sheltered housing schemes and to 48 x Ritchie Road properties

750 0

459 0

450 (19,600 m3) 4sheltered blocks

759 0

150 0

0

8 + 48

NEW TARGET Through SmartHeat programme, fit insulation jackets to flanges and valves at 23 communal boiler rooms sites, saving an estimated 1,785,182.00 kWh on energy use which could equate to annual savings of £42,844.00

0 0 0 0 23 tbc tbc

Reduce air pollution by contributing to achievement of UK air quality objective in Croydon

Reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 25k parts per million. All boilers to meet class 5

350

434

350

443

350


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Priority 4: Engage and Involve All Stakeholders – Residents, Members, Partnering Contractors, and Council Officers


09/10 Outcome

10/11 Target

10/11 Outcome

11/12 Target

11/12 Outcome

Engage Tenants in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability

Run courses to train tenants as energy advisers and provide refresher training Provide information and advice to tenants at Handcroft Road and Ritchie Road on use of new technology Regular articles in Open House

Review energy efficiency material and ensure it is readily available to tenants at each district office and one stop

3 Courses Inc. update

course

Ongoing Quarterly Biannually

3 Courses Inc. update

course Ongoing Quarterly Biannually

Courses at 4 sheltered blocks to followsolar water

Ongoing Quarterly Biannually

Deferred Delivered Delivered

Courses at 4 sheltered blocks to follow solar water

Ongoing Ad-hoc On-hold pending review

deferred On-hold

Deliver objectives of partnering environmental charter

Develop a suite of suitable environmental KPI’s to measure waste management and recycling of major contracts % waste recycled % packaging

Monitor progress on improvement in energy efficiency

Provide an annual report on progress on energy improvements to tenants and leaseholders panel

Report to October 2009 panel

Reported to 20/10/09 panel


Reported to October Panel



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Priority 5: Ensure All New Build Stock Achieves ‘Eco-Homes’ Excellent Standard and Meets the Code for Sustainability Homes Level 4


09/10 Outcome

10/11 Target

10/11 Outcome

11/12 Target

11/12 Outcome

Improve the energy efficiency of new homes to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution

All new homes to meet Eco-Homes Excellent and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4

27 new homes to be completed

27 new Eco homes Excellent homes completed at Sumner Gardens(13), Dunley Drive (8), Frensham Drive (6)

69 new homes planned

5 new Eco Homes Excellent completed at Mickleham Way 16 new CSH level 4 homes completed at Shrublands Avenue (6), Tedder Rd (2), Wingate Crescent (8), 23 new CSH level 5 homes completed at Tilford Avenue (5), Alwyn Close (5), King Henry’s Drive (6), Thorpe Close (7)

31 new homes planned CHS level 4