Issue - meetings

A deputation had been received from Mr Jacob Secker, representing the Broadwater Farm Residents Association, in relation to item eight “Blocks on Broadwater Farm”.

Mr Secker spoke as the secretary of the Broadwater Farm Resident’s Association and long-standing resident of Broadwater Farm. He began by referencing a legal letter sent to the Cabinet, which also set out the concerns to be expressed in the deputation. Mr Secker strongly contested the proposed action of urgently rehousing tenants and leaseholders in Tangmere block, prior to a consultation. He expressed the view that residents had lived with the safety issue for a considerable number of years.

Mr Secker continued to express the following views:

·         That the key driver of the decision to decant Tangmere residents was the October deadline, was the fact that Cadent was due to switch off the gas supply. Jacob Secker contended that the October deadline was unrealistic  and that a temporary boiler  needed to be provided so that those Tangmere residents who could not be re -housed by then could get heating and  hot water  after gas was removed from inside the block. The similar circumstances of the Ledbury estate were referred to and Southwark’s decision to provide temporary boilers.

·         There was concern that not all residents in Tangmere could be re-housed by October.

·         It was not acceptable to move tenants/leaseholders to bed and breakfast accommodation, and rehousing would need to be the form of flat-to-flat or flat to a house.

·         He proposed a 14 day consultation for Tangmere residents on  the policy concerning immediate rehousing which should include an option of the installation of a temporary boiler

·         The Southwark Council decant approach was advocated with residents of Tangmere block and Northolt Block having access to the proper choice based lettings scheme which would provide a choice of properties for residents being rehoused.

·         The report was not clear on the right of return for both Northholt and Tangmere and  Mr Secker reiterated that residents would want to have the choice of returning to newly built homes on the estate.

·         Overcrowded households should still be rehoused in accommodation that is more appropriate and then be allowed to return to the estate or stay in their new housing if this is their choice. They should also be included in the consultation.

·         Disputed the Council putting forward a preference in the consultation for demolition and felt that it was more appropriate to offer residents a ballot.

·         Mr Secker also wanted written guarantees reflecting that there would be funding available to replace the homes one for one as Council tenancies at exactly the same rent as today, should a decision on demolition be taken forward.

The Leader invited Cabinet Members to put forward questions to the deputation party. In response, the following was noted.

·         The deputation felt that there was more time needed to decant and it was for the Council to determine this timeline, by consulting and meeting needs assessment requirements. Although, the deputation did not want the decant to go on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7