Agenda item

Documents attached:

-  Map of tenants’ and residents’ halls

(A number of halls are missing and the map needs to be updated.)

-  Estate population and hall provision

-  Empty and closed halls

-  Uncategorised halls

5.1  Ian Ritchie introduced himself as the chair of the tenants hall working party, jointly organised between Tenants and Homeowners Councils.  He explained that the working party meets monthly with 21 active members.  It aims to regularise how the halls are run and how their costs work.

5.2  The halls have evolved from a number of sources – some are small flats, some were purpose built by the council in the 1970-80s and some were inherited from the Greater London Council.  The working party had initially concentrated on a condition survey.  At its next meeting it would begin to determine priorities for capital spend, focussing initially on  health and safety and disability access issues.

5.3  The working party had drafted rules for regular and casual use of the halls.  These had been circulating for a time in draft form and were close to completion.

5.4  Ian Ritchie pointed out that there were some clear areas of joint interest and suggested that the working party and scrutiny should collaborate where possible.

5.5  He commented that the resident involvement team is changing and beginning to take a more participatory approach, which he welcomed.  The committee should also bear in mind that Southwark Group of Tenants Organisation (SGTO) can offer support build T&RAs strength.  A member asked whether he had any concerns about the training and quality of the staff.  Ian Ritchie responded the Tenant Fund Management Committee funds two workers who provide support for basic skills such as chairing meetings.  SGTO was looking to develop that and introduce more specialised areas such as premises management.

5.6  The chair presented a proposal for scrutiny review of tenants halls and bars (presentation published in meeting papers) and members discussed where the committee could add value.  Officers confirmed that they are continuing to work on the accuracy of the database.

5.7  The scope as presented by the chair was agreed.  Members were particularly interested in looking at good practice in governance, alternative models for managing halls and bars (is there scope for a social enterprise?) and as an outcome of improving the accuracy of the data, an assessment of whether any disused halls could potentially be converted into homes.