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  

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