The Borough Residents' Forum met on Thursday 21 November 2024 to discuss a range of housing and environmental issues. Key topics included an update on the Local Plan Partial Review, the rollout of food waste recycling on housing estates, and the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. The Forum also reviewed the council's Tenant Satisfaction Measures submission data and discussed the new Vulnerable Residents' Policy.

Local Plan Partial Review

Daniel Goodman, Principal Planner, provided an update on the Local Plan Partial Review, which aims to maximise the provision of affordable housing. The council is moving into a critical phase, with a public consultation planned for January 2025. The review proposes that at least 50% of homes on large development sites should be affordable, with 70% of those designated for social rent. Developments of fewer than 10 homes would be required to make a financial contribution towards new affordable housing. A viability assessment has been conducted to ensure these policies do not unduly burden developers, with mechanisms in place for genuine and robust exceptions. The Forum heard that affordable housing encompasses various types, with social rent being the most affordable, typically 50% below market rent. Shared ownership properties were also discussed, with a preference for directing towards genuinely affordable tenures.

Food Waste Rollout on Housing Estates

Cindy Gardener, Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing, presented an update on the rollout of food waste recycling across Wandsworth. This initiative is part of the government's 'Simpler Recycling' reform, aiming for consistency in waste collection across the UK. A separate weekly collection of food waste is now mandatory for all properties by March 2026. Wandsworth commenced this in June with phase one for low-rise properties, and phase two will extend it to estates using communal bins. Residents will receive equipment, including liners and a kitchen caddy, along with information leaflets. Concerns were raised about the translation of communications into multiple languages to cater for diverse communities, the frequency of bin cleaning (currently twice a year), and the security of enclosures to prevent pest issues. The Assistant Director acknowledged these concerns and committed to taking them forward, including exploring translation options and monitoring bin cleaning needs. The potential for recycling cooking oil was also raised, but it was noted as difficult to manage securely. The council will provide replacement food waste liners free of charge.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Paper, Phase 2 Report Findings

The Forum received a report detailing the impact of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report on the Housing Department. The report, published on 4 September 2024, was critical of various parties involved in the Grenfell Tower tragedy, including the council, the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), government, and the construction industry. While the report made no direct recommendations for social landlords due to existing legislative changes, it highlighted potential impacts on social landlords. The council has been proactive in reducing fire safety risks since the Grenfell fire, including recladding blocks, fitting premises information boxes, and installing carbon monoxide alarms. The report also suggests a redefinition of high-rise buildings and a reconsideration of the 'stay put' evacuation strategy. Residents raised questions about advice for communal areas and the nature of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), which focus on individual evacuation needs and may be reviewed to enhance safety within properties.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures Submission Data

The Forum reviewed Wandsworth's submission of the 2023-2024 Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), a suite of performance indicators introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing. The TSMs are derived from tenant perception surveys and management information, covering five themes: keeping properties in good repair, maintaining building safety, respectful and helpful engagement, effective handling of complaints, and responsible neighbourhood management. Overall tenant satisfaction increased from 54% to 64%, exceeding the regional benchmark of 59%. Significant improvements were noted in areas such as water safety risk assessments. However, satisfaction with repairs and complaints handling remained areas for improvement. The report highlighted that while Wandsworth receives fewer complaints than comparable London boroughs, the satisfaction rate with complaint handling is low. A focus group is scheduled for March 2025 to address these issues. The council's performance in areas such as gas safety checks, fire safety checks, and anti-social behaviour management was also detailed.

Vulnerable Residents' Policy

A new Vulnerable Residents' Policy was presented, aiming to provide an overarching approach for Housing staff when working with residents with identified vulnerabilities. The policy consolidates existing procedures to ensure an equitable service, defining vulnerability and outlining approaches and adjustments to ensure residents can access services and have their needs met. The policy emphasises the importance of managing vulnerability information centrally to inform appropriate responses and facilitate reasonable adjustments. Training for frontline staff on identifying and understanding vulnerabilities was highlighted as crucial. The policy was developed with input from key partners across the council and aims to align with statutory and regulatory requirements. The Equality Impact and Needs Assessment found no negative impact on protected groups, with the policy expected to have a positive impact on individuals with protected characteristics.