Issue - meetings

Further to Minute 84 (14 December 2011), the Cabinet Member for Housing presented a report on the proposed governance arrangements of the company, formerly known as Thames Partnership for Learning Regeneration 2 Limited (TPFLR 2 Limited), which was established to be responsible for the letting, management and maintenance of 477 new Council homes on land at William Street Quarter in Barking Town Centre and at the eastern end of Thames View, Barking.

The Cabinet Member explained that the company, to be renamed Barking and Dagenham Reside Limited, was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Council and the proposals within the report sought to put in place an effective governance structure.  The Cabinet Member also referred to the proposed allocations and lettings policies for those homes on the new development sites which would be available for rent at 65% - 80% of market rent levels, aimed at ensuring that they were affordable for prospective tenants and also that priority was given to local people.

Cabinet agreed:

  (i)  The following nominations to the governing board of Barking and Dagenham Reside:

·  Cabinet Member for Housing

·  Cabinet Member for Regeneration

·  Cabinet Member for Finance

  (ii)  The following additions to the Council’s “More Choice in Lettings” Housing Allocations and Lettings Policy, in accordance with the Homes and Communities Agency affordable housing policy:

a)  That new Council and Barking and Dagenham Reside homes to be let at social rent level or at 50% of local market rent be made available for tenancy in line with the current, standard Housing Allocations policy;

b)  That new Council and Barking and Dagenham Reside homes to be let at levels above social rent or above 50% local market rent be made available for tenancy in line with the criteria set out in paragraphs 2.3.2 and 2.3.3 of the report.

 (iii)  That the Annual Business Plan of Barking and Dagenham Reside be presented to Cabinet each year as part of the budget setting process and to enable the Council to exercise its role as the sole shareholder of the company; and

 (iv)  That the company name be formally changed to “Barking and Dagenham Reside Limited” and to authorise the Corporate Director of Housing and Environment to sign the sole member's written resolution to that effect.