Agenda item
Lease Of Metropolitan And St Peter Way Hostels For General Needs - Key Decision No. NH S062
Decision:
RESOLVED:
That subject to the following changes within the report:
· Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)
· Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording below:
6.20 While no formal consultations are required as part of this report the Council has worked carefully to make sure that the proposed lease provides a significant improvement in the quality of accommodation for the residents of these hostels.
6.21 The works to upgrade the accommodation provided at the Metropolitan and St Peters’ hostels are being carried out by the hostel landlord at their cost as part of the proposed lease agreement. So far consultations have taken place with and between the following Council Departments: Customer Services (including Housing Needs), Legal Services, Financial Services and Strategic Property Services. External consultations have taken place with the landlord.
6.22 While residents of temporary accommodation hostels are not secure Council tenants, the Council does, however, recognise that the housing crisis means that people spend much longer in temporary accommodation than we would want to be the case. For this reason the Council is setting ambitious standards for new and refurbished temporary accommodation. The Council has used feedback from residents and staff across our temporary accommodation, and our experience from previous refurbishments at other locations, to work with the hostel landlords to ensure that the proposed new lease includes refurbishment to this high standard.
6.23 To minimise the impact of the refurbishment on residents, the work will take place on the basis of a rolling programme of 6 units at a time, which will mean that a full decant is not required and residents can be relocated to newly refurbished units as they are upgraded (or to alternative accommodation that can be made available if that is preferred by the resident). This will reduce uncertainty for the residents as the refurbishment takes place.
6.24 The delivery of the refurbishments will be overseen by the Council’s in-house hostel management and caretaker team, and also our in-house temporary accommodation Property Surveyor (who will ensure the quality of the works before they are signed off). This in-house team will engage with residents to reflect their needs and experience in the delivery of the improvements, and ensure the smooth running of the overall refurbishment work and arrangements for the residents, including through the relocation process. This includes keeping in regular contact with the residents, making arrangements for their possessions to be moved when they move into the newly refurbished units (as is our standard practice), and ensuring that any issues raised during the refurbishment work are responded to sensitively. We will also ensure that there is clear and transparent information available on how to raise any issues or complaints; and after the completion of the works conduct a survey to check satisfaction with the process and the improvements.
The Cabinet Agreed:
I. To enter into a lease of The Metropolitan and St Peters
II. To delegate authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the transaction.
III. To pay the stamp duty (SDLT) due for the lease.
IV. To Authorise the Director of Legal and Governance Services to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to effect the proposals contained in this report and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation as required.
REASONS FOR DECISION
As outlined within the report, there is a significant need to expand the stock of social housing in Hackney and increase the provision of temporary accommodation.
As set out within Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to provide interim temporary accommodation to homeless households to whom it has a duty to provide permanent housing.
Currently, meeting this statutory duty requires using expensive nightly let and/or spot purchased accommodation.
The acquisition of the lease secures the continued provision of these hostels improved through a programme of works to meet the requirements of homeless residents.
Minutes:
The Mayor introduced the report and highlighted the following amendments:
· Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)
· Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording (as detailed in the decision below)
Councillor Etti elaborated further on the details off the report and recommended the report for approval.
RESOLVED:
That subject to the following changes within the report:
· Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)
· Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording below:
6.20 While no formal consultations are required as part of this report the Council has worked carefully to make sure that the proposed lease provides a significant improvement in the quality of accommodation for the residents of these hostels.
6.21 The works to upgrade the accommodation provided at the Metropolitan and St Peters’ hostels are being carried out by the hostel landlord at their cost as part of the proposed lease agreement. So far consultations have taken place with and between the following Council Departments: Customer Services (including Housing Needs), Legal Services, Financial Services and Strategic Property Services. External consultations have taken place with the landlord.
6.22 While residents of temporary accommodation hostels are not secure Council tenants, the Council does, however, recognise that the housing crisis means that people spend much longer in temporary accommodation than we would want to be the case. For this reason the Council is setting ambitious standards for new and refurbished temporary accommodation. The Council has used feedback from residents and staff across our temporary accommodation, and our experience from previous refurbishments at other locations, to work with the hostel landlords to ensure that the proposed new lease includes refurbishment to this high standard.
6.23 To minimise the impact of the refurbishment on residents, the work will take place on the basis of a rolling programme of 6 units at a time, which will mean that a full decant is not required and residents can be relocated to newly refurbished units as they are upgraded (or to alternative accommodation that can be made available if that is preferred by the resident). This will reduce uncertainty for the residents as the refurbishment takes place.
6.24 The delivery of the refurbishments will be overseen by the Council’s in-house hostel management and caretaker team, and also our in-house temporary accommodation Property Surveyor (who will ensure the quality of the works before they are signed off). This in-house team will engage with residents to reflect their needs and experience in the delivery of the improvements, and ensure the smooth running of the overall refurbishment work and arrangements for the residents, including through the relocation process. This includes keeping in regular contact with the residents, making arrangements for their possessions to be moved when they move into the newly refurbished units (as is our standard practice), and ensuring that any issues raised during the refurbishment work are responded to sensitively. We will also ensure that there is clear and transparent information available on how to raise any issues or complaints; and after the completion of the works conduct a survey to check satisfaction with the process and the improvements.
The Cabinet Agreed:
I. To enter into a lease of The Metropolitan and St Peters
II. To delegate authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the transaction.
III. To pay the stamp duty (SDLT) due for the lease.
IV. To Authorise the Director of Legal and Governance Services to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to effect the proposals contained in this report and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation as required.
REASONS FOR DECISION
As outlined within the report, there is a significant need to expand the stock of social housing in Hackney and increase the provision of temporary accommodation.
As set out within Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to provide interim temporary accommodation to homeless households to whom it has a duty to provide permanent housing.
Currently, meeting this statutory duty requires using expensive nightly let and/or spot purchased accommodation.
The acquisition of the lease secures the continued provision of these hostels improved through a programme of works to meet the requirements of homeless residents.
Supporting documents:
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