Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) presented the report on Tenant Engagement on Withdrawal from East Kent Housing Arm’s-Length Management Organisation (ALMO). An additional recommendation had been made by Cabinet from those set out in the agenda papers which approved the payment of an extra management fee to East Kent Housing for further compliance work.

Members were advised that the primary concern was the welfare of the tenants and the need to deliver services effectively. It was noted that recent events elsewhere had demonstrated that while housing services might be delivered through an external organisation (such as an ALMO) with little direct control able to be exercised by the local authority, ultimately the Council would still be held accountable for its performance. Nationally, a number of local authorities had withdrawn from ALMO arrangements.

In response to questions about the potential loss of economies of scale by not procuring for four authorities together, the Chief Executive pointed out that nothing prevented joint contracts in the future without an ALMO. The example of the joint waste contract was cited as an example of local authorities co-operating in procurement.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Cabinet:

(a)  That the commencement of engagement (in the form set out at paragraph 4.10 of the report) with tenants (and leaseholders as required) on withdrawal from East Kent Housing be approved.

(b)  That Cabinet delegates to the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, the details and basis of the engagement and also of any subsequent formal consultation.

(c)  That Cabinet delegate to the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) authority to approve additional management fee payments to East Kent Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance & Governance and Housing & Health, providing that this remains within overall Housing Revenue Account resources for 2019/20 and the Budget and Policy Framework.

(Councillor T A Bond declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) by reason of his position as a Director of East Kent Housing to which he was appointed by the Council and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed:

(a)  That the commencement of engagement (in the form set out at paragraph 4.10 of the report) with tenants (and leaseholders as required) on withdrawal from East Kent Housing be approved.

(b)  That Cabinet delegates to the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, the details and basis of the engagement and also of any subsequent formal consultation.

(c)  That Cabinet delegates to the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) authority to approve additional management fee payments to East Kent Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance & Governance and Housing & Health, providing that this remains within overall Housing Revenue Account resources for 2019/20 and the Budget and Policy Framework.