Barnet’s Labour councillors have secured agreement that Housing Associations (Registered Social Landlords) operating in the Borough will be called to attend a future Housing & Growth Committee meeting following concerns about community safety, environmental and mental health issues on estates they run.
In a member’s item to the Committee (24 Nov), Barnet Labour’s Communities Spokesperson, Cllr Sara Conway, requested a mechanism for better engagement with housing associations to resolve complex and recurring problems on estates across the Borough.
Cllr Conway said: “Councillors need to be able to triage key issues with Registered Social Landlords and improve scrutiny after listening to local residents’ priorities which include cladding, anti-social behaviour, repairs, service charges, and of course regeneration schemes.
“I’m pleased there was Committee agreement and suggest this takes place every 6 months. I particularly hope this leads to far better accountability, empathy and action than has been displayed in their contact on recent cladding calls with residents.”
Ends.
Notes:
- A copy of Cllr Conway’s member’s item can be found here: https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s61186/Members%20Items%20-%2024%20November%202020.pdf