(if any) - receive.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mandy Anderson (Jane Kane substituting).

Members are invited to disclose any interest in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting.

Members may still disclose any interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

4. REQUISITION OF CABINET DECISION - OFFICE TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION TO ACCOMMODATE HOMELESS FAMILIES - EASTGATE HOUSE.

Councillor Jane Keane, Non Pecuniary, is Trustee of Havering Museum.

Report and documentation attached (exempt appendices not available to press or public).

The representative of National Housing Group (NHG) confirmed that planning permission for 35 flats on the site was approved in September 2024. All relevant building regulations would be met and warranties provided.

The Director of Living Well that the Public Liability Insurance covered the directors of Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) only for the current MLH operations. The MLH directors were not able to take any further risk.

Housing in Eastgate House would be affordable and rent levels would be based on Local Housing Allowance rates operating in Basildon. The letter from the Leader of Basildon Council had now been responded to on behalf of the Chief Executive and Leader. Meetings had also taken place with Basildon Council officers in order to give assurances re build quality and the level of support available to tenants. NHG were made aware of the letter’s contents and had input into the response.

Havering would retain a responsibility to tenants housed in Basildon until they wished to transfer to Basildon Council. No households with children in need would be placed in Basildon. Tenants had the legal right to approach Basildon after two years of residency but their right to be rehoused by Havering remained for 7 years. Social care responsibilities would be retained by Havering for two years following any move by a tenant to Basildon.

Tenants’ Council Tax would be paid to Basildon so they would have access to local schools etc. Both Havering and Basildon were net importers of households. The current housing crisis had meant that Havering was no longer an affordable place to live. The proposal to move people to Basildon was within the law but was considered a last resort. Residents moving to Basildon would be those currently living in Bed and Breakfasts and hotels and this would reduce the level of costs to the Council.

Officers confirmed that a statutory assessment would be undertaken before any decision on moving people to Basildon was taken. An appeals process was available and residents also had the option to make a legal challenge if necessary. With a relatively small number of flats on the site, it was expected that sufficient people would wish to move to Basildon.

Members felt it was important that informal objections to the move should also be considered as some residents may not have capacity to undertake a formal appeal. Whilst it was confirmed that the flats would have windows that opened, Members remained over the quality of the build.

There would not be support for residents based directly on site in Basildon. This would be supplied by the temporary accommodation management team and the housing allocations team would also be involved. Members were welcome to visit the site once building was under way.

Amenities were close by the development and there were main and side entrances to the block. One entrance was shared with a gym business. No noise had been heard emanating from the gym when officers had visited.

Officers agreed that the private rented sector  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.