Agenda item

Mears Presentation

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received a presentation from John Taylor, Managing Director and Rob Murphy, Contract Manager for the Mears Group providing an update on the progress of the More Homes for Bromley scheme.

 

The More Homes for Bromley scheme had been established as a Special Purchase Vehicle in June 2016 by the Local Authority in partnership with the Mears Group to support the acquisition of 400 properties to be used for temporary accommodation both within Bromley and in neighbouring areas such as Maidstone, Dartford and Swale.  These properties were originally intended to be purchased over a four year period but the financial model had subsequently been revised to a shorter two year period in order to deliver budget savings earlier.  To date, 78 properties had been purchased, the majority of which were one or two bedroom properties, and a further 61 properties were in the process of being purchased.  An average of £13k was spent on refurbishing each property prior to it being let and 51 properties had now been let to tenants.  It was anticipated that by the end of October 2017, 200 properties would have been purchased, which was in line with the financial model.

 

The Director: Housing reported that risk assessments were undertaken for all prospective tenants, and that the most vulnerable families were placed in Bromley-based accommodation.  Where tenants were placed out-of-Borough, every effort was made to ensure that they had some connection with the area in which they were placed, such as a family support network.  The Mears Group held monthly operational meetings to consider any issues with its housing stock and every property within the More Homes for Bromley scheme had a named Portfolio Manager who visited each property at least once every three months and referred any concerns to the Housing Service.  The Local Authority continued to be responsible for the support of residents placed out-of-Borough, but where families chose to settle in their new local authority, the Local Authority worked with the Mears Group to ensure that all necessary arrangements were in place, including health services and school places.

 

Members were pleased to note the high quality of properties within the More Homes for Bromley scheme and discussed the potential to expand the scheme further.  The Director: Commissioning advised Members that the possibility of purchasing another 100-150 properties within the More Homes for Bromley scheme would be considered as the current scheme was progressed; however this would require additional investment from the Local Authority and would need to be cost effective.  There was also increasing competition from other local authorities across the region that were developing similar schemes.  The Director: Housing noted that there were now 1500 Bromley families in temporary accommodation and that the More Homes for Bromley scheme was helping to mitigate the costs of nightly-paid accommodation by increasing the supply of high quality temporary accommodation. 

 

In response to a question from a Member, the Contract Manager for the Mears Group confirmed that tenants were initially offered a six month assured shorthold tenancy agreement and were provided with a tenant’s handbook which clearly outlined the rights and responsibilities of the Mears Group and the tenant.  The Director: Housing confirmed that tenants were likely to be placed in temporary accommodation for at least 2-3 years before alternative long term housing was identified.

 

The Chairman requested that a further update on the More Homes for Bromley scheme be provided to Care Services PDS Committee in November 2017.

 

RESOLVED that progress made to date on the purchase of 400 properties be noted.

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