Evidence Grows of Fall in Standards in Council Managed Homes
Chiswick Homefields councillor Gerard McGregor reports back
Cllr Gerard McGregor
July 6, 2024
Election results
Hounslow residents were involved in several constituency battles during the election on July 4 th. In addition, the residents of Hanworth Village had the pleasure of replacing a councillor (first elected only in 2022) at a by election on the same day. Local councillors were heavily involved in these elections actively supporting candidates. By this sort of campaigning councillors learn a huge amount from residents about their needs, concerns, ambitions and wishes. Having door step conversations gives real insight to how people live and in what conditions they inhabit.
Housing and Housing Repairs
The recent Saturday Surgeries held by Chiswick Conservative councillors at the Library in Dukes Avenue have generated a larger number of complaints about council repairs not being started, not being completed, and when completed leaving other areas of the property requiring remediation including damage to walls and ceilings.
The London Borough of Hounslow Budget (appendix D) for 2024/2025 (which Chiswick residents contribute to from their Council Tax) allocates the huge sum of £133.6. million Housing Revenue account capital financing programme to support the housing stock and in the Operational Budget another sum of £23.5 million towards repairs and maintenance costs.
The evidence of case work in Chiswick indicates a further decline of housing standards in council managed properties with residents being temporarily moved out (for example more than two years of pest infestations, damp), lacking a hot water supply (for example two years plus waiting for repairs), leaseholders not having their needs met by service charges (flat roofs damaged by feral birds) and lack of antibird spikes on parapets and window ledges, and pathways spattered by bird filth making the paths slippery and unsightly.
This is only a sample of the problems that tenants, leaseholders and private rented tenants in council run properties suffer from when the council fails in its duty to its’ householders and residents The Housing revenue account is kept separate from the main areas of budget and when it makes a surplus the HRA reserve receives it as a contribution.
With all this financial support why are tenant and leaseholder residents waiting so long for necessary repairs?
Core Housing Management System
This is fully in operation as of the beginning of January 2024 and is a series of Information Technology (IT) platforms to assist in the administration of good practice. It should be giving officers immediate access to general information about housing and the progress of works and should give an opportunity to improve service.
Dealing with Hounslow Companies
Two months ago a new process was announced for dealing with the business plans of the various trading companies that are meant to be self-supporting. The latest issue is that there is a now a need for an external review to be done at a cost of £100,000 to ensure that these companies are viable and performing and that the plans are rigorously policed.
One of the worrying features is that the contracts for Housing services have been awarded in house and the commissioning process is also under review. This is to ensure that the companies are capable of meeting the 2024/2025 budget!
The whole Hounslow Conservative Councillors’ Group want to help all our residents live in habitable homes; to have peaceful enjoyment not continuous worrying about their living conditions, unkept appointments and promises from officers of a speedy return, which is anything but when maintenance is delayed.
Council Meeting Cancellations
The General Election created a “Purdah” when meetings such as the Chiswick Area forum were cancelled.
The Next Borough Council Meeting is on Tuesday 23 Rd July 2024 at 7.30pm Council Chamber. 6 th Floor, Hounslow House 7 Bath Road TW3 3EB
Chiswick Area Forum is expected to be on Tuesday 24 th September 2024 at 7.30pm
The Hogarth Hall, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham Green W4 4JN
The Next Borough Cabinet Meeting has been postponed to Tuesday 16 th July 2024 at 7.00pm Council Chamber. 6 th Floor, Hounslow House 7 Bath Road TW3 3EB
The Next Scrutiny Panel is expected to be on Thursday 19 th September 2024 at 7.00pm Room 610. 6 th Floor, Hounslow House 7 Bath Road TW3 3EB
Cllr Gerald McGregor - Shadow Spokesman for Budget and Finance, Hounslow Borough Council
gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784821
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS
Chiswick Gunnersbury (was Turnham Green) ward
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |