West Ham Ward ASB Action Day (and Italian Street Food)

 

This evening I went with Newham Council funded Met Police and Council Enforcement officers for a "walkabout" in West Ham ward, which I represent as a Councillor. Yesterday and today were ASB "Action Days" in West Ham and Stratford. Local ward Councillors were encouraged to join various teams tackling problems in our forum area. 

Tonight was very cold so there was no street drinkers to be found causing problems, so we concentrated on other issues in the locality. There was a number of actions found and I will also be raising members enquires for Newham Council, L&Q Housing Association and One Housing about public realm defects encouraging ASB, dumped cars on estate land and grossly inadequate communal area lighting. 

It was not only important for elected members to go out with our Police and Council officers to see what they do but also vital for us to listen and learn to the professionals about their experiences and their views on what works and what doesn't. This is a great initiative by officers and Cabinet lead Cllr James Beckles.  

On a more positive side, we walked pass the "Pasta Che Musica" Pop up Italian Street Food stall in Arthingworth Street, E15 and I introduced myself to the very friendly owner/chef. Which Newham officers assured me is fully licensed by the Council (and has 4.9 out of 5 google reviews) and will no doubt soon temp me to break my 2022 New Year Low Carb diet (yet again). 

"On the Rent Strike in West Ham and Canning Town in Newham London Borough"

"The Housing Crisis in London has over the past decade developed and manifested in a variety of forms. 

From homeless citizens robbed of their rights to squat the plethora of empty residential properties that litter gilded neighbourhoods of London’s ‘jet setting’ elite, to the decanting and levelling of social housing built decades ago, mostly by local councils, to accommodate the contradiction that has always defined London as a world class metropolitan centre, i.e. the rich living across the road to the poor.

Recently an interesting episode of this drama has unfolded in Newham. The borough is home to the London 2012 Olympic stadium (now West Ham United football club’s home ground) andmany other venues that hosted athletes during the hot summer of 2012. Housing Association - One Housing Group Limited (OHG), a registered social Land Lord, issued Rent increase letters to ‘key worker’ residents (teachers, nurses and emergency service workers) in February this year. The increases were in some cases 40% and there were also changes to the tenancy agreement (1 year contract, 6 months break clause and 2 months’ notice period). The deadline to agree was 1st April 2017 (it was no joke!). It became clear to residents OHG had been planning this in advance because letters were issued in January 2017 that aggressively directed renters to switch from Standing Orders to Direct Debit. The loss of control over rent payments would make it easier for OHG to impose the new higher rates and collect them with as little resistance as possible.

Immediately resistance, to the 40% rent increase and changes to tenancy agreements, was organised. This started off with a group of keyworkers getting together, meeting in each other’s homes, to organise action. From the start there were differences over the approach to take. This took shape in the form of two poles of attraction. One group insisted on launching legal action through individual grievances (but paid for collectively). Another group favoured collective struggle – direct action supported by trade unions, knowledgeable fellow strugglers from outside and friendly councillors.

To cut a long story short, it was the collective struggle tendency that won the arguments and immediately car park meetings were held,an action group launched named One Housing Tenants Action Group and officers elected. A public meeting for tenants and supporters was organised in March 2017 which included representatives from trade unions Unite, Unison and NUT. There was also support from Labour Counsellors such as John Gray and John Witworth and journalists from local press like the Newham Recorder.

It was in the weekly meetings that a letter to OHG was put together and a petition launched. A day of action was called for 6th May 2017 outside the offices of OHG in Mile End. Slogans were voted on: “rent up 40% won’t pay will stay!” and “One of us is all of Us!”. Press releases were sent out and call outs for solidarity issued. Just before the day of action a representative from OHG got in touch with the Chair and Secretary of the Action Group (Truus and Tawanda) informing us that the planned rent increases had been cancelled. The OHG representative also requested that the day of action be called off and talks begin as soon as was practicable. We saw this as a significant change in OHG’s posture and confirmation that our strategy of refusing to pay the new rate and organising collectively and very publicly got the result we wanted. The day of action was called off and a meeting was held with OHG.

Since then, the tenants have formed a Residents Association (OHG West Ham and Canning Town Tenants & Residents Association). We have held regular meetings and the officers of our association have made links other OHG tenants associations. We have also reached out to other housing struggle groups. Our efforts were recently rewarded when ‘rent decrease’ letters were issued to some tenants by OHG on the 1ST of September. It was only through collective struggle with our friends and unions that we are still in our homes and looking forward to a more secure future".

Tawanda Nyabango
Secretary - OHG West Ham and Canning Town Tenants & Residents Association

(the TRA are happy for this statement to be posted in full elsewhere on social media)

West Ham Ward Councillor Report 7 December 2017

Councillor Report to Ward 7 December 2017

WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY tel: 0203 373 2615 or email John.Gray@newham.gov.uk

This is my bi-monthly written report. In October both I and my fellow ward member, John Whitworth, attended and passed a Labour Party candidate selection interview for the 2018 local elections. There will be local ward selections sometime in the New Year.

Our fellow ward Councillor, Freda Bourne, has decided not to re-stand but retire. Many thanks to Freda for her many years of service to the residents of West Ham.

Council IssuesResignation from Newham Fire Safety Scrutiny in Tower Blocks Commission
31 October I was forced to resign from being a member of this Commission because the evidence meetings are being held in secret. I did try to get this decision changed informally but was not successful. This secrecy is in my view completely unacceptable after the Grenfell Fire. We need complete openness and transparency to make sure such things never happen again.

Meeting with Director of Finance
22 November I met the Director and other senior managers with other Councillors to discuss our concerns about the Newham Council London Stadium loan impairment and pending huge investments into private sector renting (Red door ventures) and Commercial properties.

Newham Council Meeting
4 December. Following the announcement that £52 million in loans and working capital invested by Newham Council in the London Stadium has been lost, I raised emergency questions to the Mayor about the need for an independent judicial led enquiry into what went so wrong and that we should pause before committing proposed new massive investments in other property until we found out what had gone wrong. The Mayor disagreed.

Surgeries and case work
I have attended 2 surgeries per month in Vicarage Lane Community Centre and Brassett Point Residents Association room. There has been a number of cases regarding ASB; drug dealing; parking; housing disrepair, service charge disputes, Right to buy, domestic violence and neighbour disputes.

Ward issues
20th Anniversary of death of Police Constable Nina Mackay.
On 24 October both I and Cllr Whitworth attended this well organised and dignified remembrance service of PC Mackay who was killed on duty in Arthingworth Street E15.

AGM One Housing Group Tenants & Residents Association.
On 30 October I was pleased to attend its inaugural AGM and really hope that we are starting to see a rebirth of the TRA movement.

West Ham campaigning & petition on lack of social homes in Ford Showrooms development
28 October we went door knocking in the ward with Lyn Brown MP with petitions calling on the developers to commit to more social homes.

9 November we went and delivered letters to new party members in the ward inviting them to a special meeting.

Durul Jannah Community Centre, E15 – First Anniversary
5 November I was a guest with Cllr Whitworth & Lyn Brown MP at the 1st anniversary celebration. Lyn gave prizes to the children who used the centre and reminded all of them that they like her could one day become MPs when they grow up.

Estate Inspection Ladywell Street
8 November I did another inspection with a Family Mosaic senior manager and local residents. While there has been some improvements in this estate the performance by some contractors is very poor and they need to be monitored much better and made to improve.

Rebecca Cheetham Nursery School
23 November I attended its School Governor meeting. Things appear to going well at the school and I have been pleased to have met parents recently who are very complimentary about it.

Xmas Hampers for Elders
The free hampers for elders is running late this year but if you can help collect and delivery these hampers to local residents please contact Cllr Whitworth or I.

Misc.
Pension Conference
10 October I was on a panel speaking to a Local Government Pension investment conference about ESG issues (Environment, Social and Governance).

Community Land trusts
12 October I helped organise a Newham Co-operative Party meeting on Community Land trusts which I think is something that we consider supporting in Newham. 

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum

17 October I attended the business meeting and in the feedback session about the pooling of Local Authority pension funds I stressed the need to have beneficiary representation on these new funds.  

Political/Community (outside ward)
18 October I went door knocking with local Councillors and members in Forest Gate North. We visited an estate to talk with local residents where a young child had been murdered recently in what was believed to be a gang related crime.

23 October there was a successful fund raising dinner for the 2018 elections sponsored in part by London UNISON Labour Link.

4 November “Solidarity Saturday” I was campaigning in the Thurrock Tory marginal with Lyn Brown MP.

London Labour Conference25 & 26 November I was a UNISON delegate to this conference and moved a successful motion on the private rental sector in London.

Black History event
4 November. After canvassing in Thurrock I attended a very well organised and informative event on Black History in Canning town Library. I very much hope next year that the Council participates in similar events.

Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara Temple
4 November. Next I went to the temple to help mark the 548th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Workers Memorial Day 2018
Date for future is Saturday 28 April 2018 when West Ham Labour Party and local trade unions will be remembering all those killed at work or who have died of work related ill health at the Three Mills Green Memorial.

If any member wishes to contact me about this report to discuss any aspect please do not hesitate to do so.

Regards
John Gray
West Ham Ward Councillor
JohndotGray2012aticlouddotcom

Latest Newham’s response to Grenfell Towers

This is the latest media release from Newham Council (see below).

 I am still waiting for copies of the fire risk assessments for high rise blocks in my ward (West Ham) from the Council.

 I have also asked who is checking the fire risk assessments for high rise blocks controlled by Housing Associations and privately owned/leasehold blocks in Newham.

 We also need to think about cladding on schools, commercial office blocks and also low rise accommodation.

 By coincidence, last month during the General Election campaign, I was part of a West Ham Labour Party Canvass team, who knocked on every door in Ferrier Point. It appeared to me at the time to be in good condition internally with nothing really obviously wrong. I did not of course have any detailed risk assessments or other technical information on the block.

 As someone who has direct experience of managing high rise blocks and is a member of IOSH (Institute of Safety & Health) , trained in checking risk assessments, I have also had conversations with the lead Council Executive advisor for Newham Housing, Cllr Terry Paul and other officers.

I understand that the London Fire Brigade are satisfied so far with the control measures put in place by the Council in the 3 blocks identified so far with cladding that has failed safety tests. I am satisfied with what I know so far, but once the immediate crisis is over, we need to find out what went wrong and who is accountable.

 Yesterday evening I was at a meeting of West Ham One Housing Group TRA, where we had a really constructive debate on Grenfell and its aftermath. Tenants are really worried about the safety of their homes.

 The one and only positive thing about this is the way that ordinary working class people across the country and beyond have rallied around the victims and their families.

 Check out this post here on Forest Gate North by local Councillor, Seyi Akiwowo, on Grenfell issues in her ward.

 (Newham media release 27/6/17)

"Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in West London, Newham Council is in the process of inspecting all tall buildings, prioritising those with cladding. There is no immediate risk to the safety of any of them that would lead to residents having to leave their homes.

 Last week, we sent a sample of the exterior cladding from Ferrier Point, Nicholls Point and Tanner Point for expert testing. Although the cladding failed the test over the weekend, the council has confirmed that the insulation material used in the cladding on your block was of higher quality to that used at Grenfell Tower as it is made of Rockwool which offers more fire protection.

 Because overall the samples of cladding failed the test, we have employed an external contractor who has been visiting all three blocks today to assess the removal of the cladding and how quickly this can be done.

This weekend, London Fire Brigade (LFB) along with Newham Council has carried out a full fire safety inspection of the three buildings and a sample of individual flats within the blocks. We have agreed a number of immediate actions which include:

· Extra security is in place in these three blocks 24 hours until further notice. This extra security will patrol the blocks every 20 minutes so they will be able to raise the alarm in the event of a fire
 · Clutter, including some personal possessions such as bicycles have been removed to safe storage.

All residents living in these blocks have been written to and visited wherever possible to outline the actions the council and LFB have taken. We have reassured the residents that these additional actions, along with safety measures that are already in place, including smoke alarms in every flat and high quality fire doors, means there is no immediate risk to safety and no need for people to leave their homes, unless otherwise notified.

 There are some additional matters we are addressing around the blocks, including vandalism, rough sleeping and issues such as smoking in stairwells and corridors. We have also reminded residents of the London Fire Brigade’s current safety advice following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Essential works will begin immediately to enhance fire safety with further upgrades taking place over the next few weeks, including dealing with the cladding.

We have thanked them for their patience and apologised for any inconvenience that future work may cause. We will keep them informed of all further developments.”

One Housing Group suspends rent rises for West Ham key workers

Good news that One Housing Group has agreed to suspend the imposition of up to 40% rent rises and new contracts on a key workers scheme near West Ham station. Well done for the tenants for standing up for themselves and for One Housing Group for (belatedly) putting the changes on hold pending negotiations with their tenant association.

I am meeting OHG as a Newham Councillor on Wednesday lunchtime. 

40% RENT UP - CAN'T PAY - WILL STAY! Message To One Housing Group

Photo from last night's planning and action meeting of the Newham key workers facing massive rent rises by the Charitable Landlord, One Housing Group. The tenants are living in housing blocks that were handed over to the Housing Association in 1997 by Newham Council, in order to provide accommodation for predominantly low paid junior teachers, care workers, health workers, social workers and teaching assistants at reduced rents in order for them to work locally in essential public services. They are now facing huge overnight rent rises of up to 40%. Many of them cannot afford to pay the increases and face moving out of London or even eviction. Some of them have been there for 20 years.

I was there with local Canning Town North ward Councillor, Kay Scoresby, and my fellow West Ham Councillor, John Whitworth, to support the tenants.  There was other supporters from trade unions and local trade councils as well as One Housing Group tenants from other parts of London. 

I told the meeting that I had received yet another grossly inadequate "fob off" response from One Housing to my second letter to them. Our local MP, Lyn Brown, had also received a nonsensical reply to her letter. It is beyond belief that a regulated housing provider refuses to fully respond to questions from elected local and national representatives. 

I made it clear to the meeting that unless I get proper replies to my questions I will have no alternative but to make a complaint to the Housing Regulator. 

At the meeting tenants collectively and democratically decided to continue with the campaign and take things to the next stage. The senior management and Board of One Housing Group have so far ignored their polite requests to meet and discuss the issues with them, so they feel that they have no choice but to escalate their campaign. Watch this space. 

40% Rent Up: Can't pay - Will stay! One Housing Tenants Action Group

Tonight the Newham Key workers facing 40% rent rises are meeting to plan the next stage of their campaign. This is the response I sent to One Housing Group following a most unsatisfactory reply to my member's enquiry.

I have sent another separate complaint today to One Housing Group about disrepair in another block. following another one about pest infestation.

Dear ......

Thank you for your response. However, I must admit to being very disappointed and concerned about the response and also the failure to answer my questions in my original enquiry.

Please send me the contact details of your Chief Executive, the Chair of your Board and the tenants representative (s) on the Board.

I would be grateful if you could respond to the following outstanding points:-

1. Will you suspend implementation of the rent increases and the new tenancies?

2. Wait until you have at least had a meeting with your tenants to explain and justify what you are doing?

3. Have you got a copy of the original agreement between Newham Council and Toynbee when the property was transferred?

Following your letter of 30 March please also advise me of the following:-

4. When was the decision made to charge “appropriate rent”(intermediate) to these tenants? Who made the decision? What consultation was done?

5. When was this scheme “designated” as being only for 5 years in order for tenants to save towards home ownership? No-one I have met were aware of this? Who made the decision and what consultation was done?

6. What and when was the “historic error made by your predecessor”?

7. How do you know this was not an error but them honouring an agreement with Newham Council?

8. All the attendees at the recent tenant meeting were on key workers' rents? How can it be suggested that they wanted to increase their rents? Current rents were not disclosed. How many “attendees” are you claiming to have contacted you?

9. Doesn’t anyone at One Housing realise that due to rapid increase in rents in Newham that near market rates are completely unaffordable?

I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience

Regards

John Gray (Councillor)

"One Housing to raise rents on key worker scheme by 40%"

This story about the rent rises was on the Inside Housing website last week. I am in the process of responding to a particularly inadequate response I received from One Housing management.

A London housing association is set to start lifting rents by up to 40% at a key worker scheme in east London from next week, amid local opposition.

One Housing will raise rents for tenants living in specially designed key worker developments in Newham to come into line with affordable rent rates.

Tenants living at the affected sites currently pay social tenure levels despite being on affordable tenures, but the association will be gradually increasing their rents up to 80% of market rates from April.

The association claims the hike comes after it discovered the tenants were incorrectly paying the lower rate due to an error made by the development’s previous landlord, Toynbee Housing Association.

“To make sure we are fair to all our residents, we look to charge appropriate rent according to the tenancy arrangements. In this case, we discovered a historic error by a predecessor organisation that meant residents have been underpaying for a significant period,” a spokesperson for One Housing said.

“We recognise that a rent increase is never welcome, which is why we are increasing rents gradually and have talked to residents throughout to give as much notice as possible.”

But Newham councillor John Gray said: “[One Housing] were given these properties to house key workers on fair rents. If they don’t want to honour that then maybe they should consider giving the flats back to the local authority.”

Around 50 tenancies are understood to be subject to the changes, though One Housing is understood to be currently auditing and could find similar situations at other sites. The association has not decided on the rate at which it will introduce the rent rise.

"West Ham tenants’ anger over 40 per cent rent hike"

"A group of tenants is up in arms after their landlord announced a 40 per cent rent hike...

Eve Whitcombe and Jamil Khair (picture right) will have to pay a 40 per cent rent hike or leave their home of the past 18 years. Picture: Jon King

The neighbours live in flats reserved for key workers - who have jobs in schools and hospitals - with cheaper rents than market rates, but their landlord One Housing Group have said they should pay more or get out.

Tenant and retired NHS secretary Eve Whitcombe, who has lived in one of the West Ham buildings affected for almost 20 years, said: “We like it here. We wouldn’t want to move.

“They’re going to lose an awful lot of good people. It’s difficult to recruit teachers and NHS staff. Newham will be in deep trouble if they’re going to push keyworkers out of the area,” said 62-year-old Eve.

According to Eve, tenants received letters from One Housing last month telling them their rent would rise by 40pc on April 1 claiming people were subletting, but even now their landlords refuse to meet them in person to discuss the increase, which would add £200 to her monthly rent.

Now the neighbours - who live in Teasel Way - have signed a new, annual tenancy agreement and will be forced to pay up or leave their homes within two months.

“I want to feel secure at my age,” Eve added. “We feel One Housing are being greedy.”

Eve’s partner Jamil, a paediatric nurse, said: “There would be no difficulty finding jobs out of the borough because of the huge shortage of nurses and teachers.”

A One Housing spokesman said: “These homes are not general needs social housing. We offer them at a discounted rent as part of our mission to create homes that people with all incomes can afford.

“To make sure we are fair to all our residents, we look to charge appropriate rent according to the tenancy arrangements. In this case, we discovered a historic error by a predecessor organisation that meant residents have been underpaying for a significant period.

“As this rent is similar to a general needs rent some residents may have believed that they are general needs tenants,” he added.

“We recognise a rent increase is never welcome, which is why we are increasing them gradually and have talked to residents throughout to give as much notice as possible.”

The spokesman also said the homes remain excellent value for money and that since a public meeting on March 20 a number of people who attended had contacted One Housing looking for a home to rent at the new rate.

Cllr John Gray, who has met with tenants, said: “Myself and other councillors were horrified to hear about this. It is going to drive out key workers who perform vital public services for the people of Newham. What we know is that it is practically impossible for teaching assistants and care assistants to either rent or buy anymore unless key worker accommodation is secured.

“We are going to struggle over time to get staff for our schools and hospitals and care communities.

“I am really disappointed that One Housing is planning to do this without prior consultation, not just for residents but with key stakeholders like the council and local councillors.”

Hat tip Newham Recorder for story and picture. Check out my blog on the scandal here. It would seem from above that One Housing are planning to raise the rents even more than 40% and that its Comms team must live in LaLa land if they believe that the key workers who attended the meeting last week wanted to pay the new rate. 

I am still waiting for a reply to my Councillor members enquiry from One Housing about why are they doing this and asking them to put the increase on hold until at least they meet residents and explain what they are doing. I have been told that I will get a reply by Friday 31 March (which is a whole day before the rent is increased on 1 April 2017). 

One Housing Group 40% rent rise for key workers update

Last Monday evening I attended a lively public meeting with One Housing Association tenants from across Newham, who are facing a 40% plus increase in their rents. These tenants are "key workers" who work in local hospitals, schools and social/care services.

Some of them have lived in their flats since 1997 and will have to leave their homes and their jobs if the rents are increased by this amount. This is not only a personal disaster to these tenants but will also mean Newham residents will lose key public service professionals.

The way One Housing Group has handled this is simply appalling. There has been no proper consultation and tenants have been given contradictory and misleading reasons and documentation. I have asked as a Councillor for the rent rises to be put on hold until at least One Housing Group agrees to meet its tenants collectively and explain why they feel they have to do this.

The key workers, as you would expect, are reasonable and pragmatic people but they are up for a fight if One Housing decides to provoke one.

One Housing Group raises rents for Newham key workers by 40%

Tomorrow I will be attending this public meeting in the evening to discuss One Housing Group plan to impose new tenancy agreements and massive rent rises on a number of "key worker" tenants in Manor Road, E15.

These "key workers" are employed by local schools, NHS hospitals and social care organisations and live in a housing block that was transferred to the Housing Association (then called Toynbee) by Newham Council in 1997.

I have written to the Council asking it for any information regarding the transfer and to One Housing Group asking them for why they are making these changes and also asking them to stop the rent rises until at least they meet with their tenants, explain what they are doing and understand the harm that they will be causing.

I have spoken to tenants who have lived in the block since 1997 and will not be able to afford to pay the new rents and will be forced to move out of their flat and possibly move out of London.

Due to rocketing London rents many public service employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit staff and the last thing that we need in Newham is for experienced and skilled public servants to be forced to leave their jobs and homes.

One Housing Group have acknowledged my request and I have been told that I will receive a full response "in due course"

Tower Hamlets Council motion regarding One Housing Group

This motion was passed by Tower Hamlets Council at its last meeting. Inside Housing reports that One Housing is in urgent talks to try and stop it being suspended as a perferred housing provider.

Urgent Motion regarding One Housing Group
Proposer: Cllr Dave Chesterton
Seconder: Cllr Andrew Cregan

"This Council notes that:
• Following a stock transfer ballot in 2005, Toynbee Island Homes (a subsidiary of Toynbee
Housing Association) took over four local authority estates on the Isle of Dogs: Samuda, St
Johns, Barkantine and Kingsbridge. These four estate comprise 2,027 homes;
• In their offer document, Toynbee Island Homes promised that the transferred homes would
be run by a board with residents in the majority: 15 members of which eight would be
elected residents.
• In 2007 Toynbee Housing Association merged with Community Housing Association. The
merged organisation, One Housing Group (OHG), took control of the four Island estates;
• In 2012 OHG wound up Island Homes and introduced area resident boards, with no decisionmaking powers;
• Residents on the four estates found their homes being owned by a very different landlord
from the one which they had been promised and they still feel quite aggrieved;
• OHG has consistently performed poorly in terms of repairs, refurbishments, improvements
and accounting. Leaseholders are particularly concerned that OHG is deliberately running
down the estates in order to reduce property values;
• In 2014 OHG produced a 52 page report ‘Project Stone’ setting out proposals to replace all
2,027 homes with up to 10,000 properties, the majority for private sale. OHG still hasn’t
adequately informed residents of these proposals;
• Following the 2014 council election the repairs and maintenance problems raised by
residents were so bad that Island councillors agreed to work on a cross-party basis to tackle
OHG;
• In January 2015 OHG embarked on a ‘Cross Island Conversation’ asking residents what they
thought of their homes, estates and living on the Island. No mention was made of their
proposals to redevelop the four estates; they wrote to residents saying “As yet – and despite
the many rumours you may have heard – One Housing Group does not have a plan in place”;
• In spite of OHG’s persistent denials, it has held meetings with planners in both the GLA and
Tower Hamlets to discuss Project Stone & the submission of a planning application, possibly
by the end of 2015;
• A recent interim report of the ‘Cross Island Conversation’ revealed:
o Residents have no trust or confidence in their landlord;
o Inflexibility and lack of respect on the part of OHG – residents do not feel supported or
cared for;
o Problems with repairs, and the high cost and poor management of major capital works;
o Poor, inconsistent, inaccurate unfriendly communications;
• In 2012 OHG agreed to purchase 123 S106 units at Indescon Court on the Island from the
developer. The original S106 agreement in 2008 had assumed that these units would be
available at social rent. OHG negotiated with the developer on the basis that higher
affordable rents could be charged. These rents range from £977.99pcm for a 1 bed to
£1126.92pcm for a 4 bed. The Council has made it clear to OHG that rents at this level are
against the spirit of the original S106 agreement;
• Under current legislation, tenants of stock transferred properties have no right to a re-ballot
and choose an alternative Registered Provider.
2
This Council believes that:
• OHG has failed to deliver on the promises made in the stock transfer offer document by its
predecessor Toynbee Island Homes;
• OHG has a poor record of managing its major works programme as well as its maintenance
and repairs services;
• OHG has developed proposals to redevelop the 2,027 homes that make up its four Island
estates, but has steadfastly refused to inform its residents about these proposals;
• OHG’s own consultation exercise shows residents have little trust or confidence in their
landlord;
• OHG’s proposed rents at Indescon Court have the potential to increase profit (possibly
substantially) for the developers, at the expense of social housing tenants paying much more
than was envisaged when the scheme was consented. This is not the behaviour expected of a
Preferred Partner;
• Tenants should have a choice and where Registered Providers are performing poorly should
have the right to demand a re-ballot and chose an alternative landlord.
This Council resolves:
• To request the Mayor to write to the Homes & Communities Agency, calling for the regulator
to investigate whether:
o OHG residents have suffered serious detriment as a result of the failings of the Repairs &
Maintenance service;
o OHG has been dishonest with residents over its plans to redevelop the Island estates;
o The ‘no confidence or trust in OHG expressed by residents through OHG’s own ‘Cross
Island Conversation’ places the organisation in a position where it is no longer fit to carry
out its functions as a landlord;
• To support OHG residents in preparing their own submission to the Homes and Communities
Agency;
• To request the Mayor to suspend OHG as a Preferred Partner in Tower Hamlets with
immediate effect. The council will not support them as a S106 partner with any developer
and will not support them for any grant bids to the GLA;
• To request the Mayor to instruct officers to explore options for legal proceedings against
OHG for breach of the Transfer Agreement and to report back to Full Council on the
possibility of such proceedings by 16th September;
• To support Jim Fitzpatrick MP in his efforts to change legislation, to enable tenants whose
homes have been subject to stock transfer the right to a re-ballot where their Registered
Provider is performing poorly;
• To request the Mayor to seek a meeting with Sir Anthony Meyer, Chair of OHG, to address
the failures of leadership within his organisation

Further Strike Action at One Housing Group in Support of Sacked Steward Bryan Kennedy

Strike action calling for the reinstatement of sacked steward, Bryan Kennedy, will take place from Friday the 8th of August to Monday 11th August.

There will be a Picket line (Friday 8th and Monday 11th) at the One Housing Headquarters, 100 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH (next to the Round House in Camden) 8am to 3pm. Nearest tube Chalk Farm. 

Bryan was sacked by One Housing Group for organising Strike action to try and protect care and support workers facing pay cuts. 

Lobby tomorrow (9 July) Bryan Kennedy Appeal Against Dismissal

Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 9 July) from 10.30 to 12.30 there will be a lobby outside One Housing Group Headquarters, 100 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8EH. Sacked OHG Convenor Bryan Kennedy, is appealing against the decision to dismiss him. Click on labels to read more about this appalling saga.

Update: the appeal hearing was cancelled by OHG at the last moment. Bryan is waiting for a new date.

One Housing Group Sack Union Steward for leading Strike

Sign the petition here demanding that Unite Steward, Bryan Kennedy, is reinstated after being sacked last week by One Housing Group.

Bryan led a strike at One Housing Group over pay cuts last year.

Anyone, who has had any dealing with  Bryan, would not believe the rubbish that One Housing Group is putting out about him and why they have sacked him. Remember that One Housing Group has "form" for victimising union reps.

Bryan has spent his entire career in social housing and has a young family to support. His sacking is further evidence on how completely out of touch and control the Housing Association sector is becoming.  A future Labour government must end the cronyism and corruption that is epidemic in far too many associations, big and small.

Those Associations who have managed to maintain their principals and remain accountable and true to their social housing traditions must take action to distance themselves from the rogue elements who are in my view going to bring about the downfall of the whole sector.

We cannot trust these people anymore with public money.

One Housing Strike in Support of victimised trade union rep Bryan Kennedy

This lunchtime I went to support the strike picket line outside One Housing Group headquarters in Camden, London.

The local Unite trade union conveyor, Bryan Kennedy, for One Housing Group is suspended and on 20 May he had a Gross Misconduct hearing. He is still waiting for an outcome!

His members believe that these allegations are simply nonsense and One Housing Group is victimising Bryan for his trade union activities because he helped organise strike action last year to try and defend low paid members facing pay cuts.

One Housing has of course got form for sacking trade union reps. See on left of collage a poster organised by UNISON in 2009 for senior steward Debbie Cordrey, who was sacked by One Housing Group for sticking up for her members.

A large number of London trade union activists,  MP's and Councillors think that One Housing is a pariah who is damaging the wider reputation of all Housing Associations. Note pictures in collage of Labour Councillors and London Assembly members, who have attended lobbies in support of Bryan. 

Housing Associations are dependent upon public money and many are very badly run and we cannot tolerate such fundamental governance failures and abuses.

Strike action to support victimised Steward Byran Kennedy at One Housing Group

Unite members at One Housing Group are taking strike action to protect their local steward, Bryan Kennedy, from being dismissed for trade union activities.

Click on flyer for further details on strike and on One Housing in post "labels" for more on its dismal history of victimising trade union reps .

ONE HOUSING STRIKE TO PROTEST THE VICTIMISATION & SUSPENSION OF BRYAN KENNEDY UNITE CONVENOR 08.00 Friday 6th June – 07.59 Tuesday 10th June 2014 Picket Lines 100 Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8EH 3 minutes walk from Chalk Farm Tube next to The Roundhouse Friday 6th 08.00-16.00 & Monday 9th 08.00-16.00 ------------------------
Ponders Bridge House 402A Caledonian Road N7 8UA Next to Caledonian & Barnsbury Overground station 5 mins walk from Caledonian Road Tube Saturday 7th 12.00-14.00 -----------------

Messages of support please to:bryan.kennedy13@gmail.com Donations to: Housing Workers Branch, Unity Trust Bank, Account number 20040639 Sort Code 03-60-01 Or cheques made payable to Unite Housing Workers Branch posted to PO Box 66701, London E119FB

Lobby One Housing Group staff Conference over trade union suspension

"I'm Bryan" is about the One Housing Group union convener who has been suspended by management following the strike action organised by Unite last year over pay cuts to care and support workers. 

Supporters will be holding a lobby tomorrow outside the One Housing Group staff conference. I hope to be there as well. 

Check out previous posts on One Housing and the way it treats union activists. 

Press release "Support victimised Unite rep Bryan Kennedy, Friday 9 May Demonstrate against the victimisation of Unite rep Bryan Kennedy this Friday at the One Housing staff conference at Novotel West in Hammersmith from 8.30am, 1 Shortlands, Hammersmith International Centre, Hammersmith, W6 8DR".

"I'm Bryan" One Housing lobby in support of victimised trade unionist

Yesterday, I was able to go and support the lunchtime lobby outside One Housing Group headquarters in favour of the victimised Unite Convener for One Housing, Bryan Kennedy (see picture from last year in bottom left).

See my previous post about Bryan and One Housing history of victimising trade union activists. They also have a really awful reputation for treating residents badly and for tearing up agreements.

I have not come across any Housing Association that is so disliked by so many residents groups, Councillors, MP's etc yet it pretends it does not give a damn what anyone says about them.

See my previous post about the really, really rubbish governance arrangements of so many publicly funded Housing Associations.

At the Lobby was Labour Party London Assembly member and their Housing Spokesman, Tom Copley (see picture bottom middle  - who was also a speaker at our recent UNISON branch AGM).

At the lobby it was announced that Bryan had been certificated as being sick and that it had been agreed to postpone his hearing.

I hope that even at this late stage that One Housing comes to their senses and deal with this issue properly.

Trade Union victimisation....One Housing Group and Déjà vu?

This Wednesday 23rd April 12.30-1.30pm there will be a protest outside the gross misconduct discipline hearing of suspended Unite convenor, Bryan Kennedy.

This will take place at the One Housing Group Head Office, 100 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH (next to the Camden Roundhouse).

I can't be there on Wednesday since I have to represent a trade union member out of London that day. I hope that Housing Association (and other) trade unionists will attend to support Bryan. 

Bryan is a top trade unionist and also a dedicated housing worker and anyone who has ever met him would be astonished that any employer is thinking of sacking him. To be clear, Bryan is an intelligent, pragmatic, softly spoken, reasonable and consensus seeking trade unionist who wants to protect and defend his members and is willing if necessary to take on his employer to do so. 

He is facing a hearing on Wednesday where he could lose his job which his employer is saying has nothing to do with his trade union activities such as when he led his members on 11 days of strike action last year. 

Hmmm. While I don't know all the details about the allegations against Bryan I think they are rubbish. You see, One Housing Group has form on these issues.

I remember speaking at a protest meeting in 2009 against the sacking by One Housing Group of its UNISON convener Debbie Cordroy. At this meeting we had local residents, Labour Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Tory Councillor Tim Archer, Former Labour Councillor (and Barrister) Martin Young, UNISON NEC member John McDermott and myself all speaking in favour of Debbie. 

I understand that exactly the same discipline panel that dismissed Debbie Cordrey will be hearing the case against Bryan on Wednesday. 

This just stinks. I have come across senior managers who boast that due to lack of regulation and accountability they can do practically anything they like and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

I am in the main a supporter of Housing Associations but genuinely think that due to the lack of probity and democratic governance in many parts of the sector, it is setting the seeds of its destruction. I am constantly surprised how vehemently disliked and mistrusted the sector is amongst a very wide spectrum of our society. 

It is seen by many as an undemocratic and unaccountable oligarchy enriching its senior management team and Board at the expense of residents and workers, feeding off decades of huge public capital grants and benefit subsidy by taxpayers. 

Politicians are also acutely aware of its massive assets base which they think could be better managed. 

We use to talk about the press in this country "drinking in the last chance saloon". I think the same applies to the housing association sector and unless it significantly changes it ways then I honestly don't think it has a long term future as independent self run organisations.

One Housing Group could signal that there could be a change by not acting in a nasty, vindictive, and corporatist manner on Wednesday.  This would be a start.