Midlands Council Had 622 Gas Certificates Outstanding

A council in the Midlands had 622 gas safety certificates out of date for a short period this summer, council papers have revealed. Newark and Sherwood District Council said the issues came to its attention in July and that all its homes were checked and serviced by 15 August. The council manages its 5,400 council homes through an ALMO, Newark and Sherwood Homes (NS Homes), but is already set to wind the company up and bring its housing services in-house. A report seen by the Conservative council’s Homes & Communities Committee revealed there have been two instances of gas servicing failures this year. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/midlands-council-had-622-gas-certificates-outstanding-63552?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

Council Can Free Up £40m Bringing Housing Services Back In-House

Newark and Sherwood District Council is the latest authority to confirm a bid to bring housing back in-house – freeing up £40m for related re-investment over 30 years. A consultation with residents is underway. The council acknowledges its ALMO Newark and Sherwood Homes (NSH) – set up 15 years ago – is high performing having led an “impressive” programme of improvements to council stock. But the council says the original case for an arm’s length housing management company no longer applies. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/council-can-free-up-40m-bringing-housing-services-back-in-house/

Social Landlord Optimises Rent Payments Ahead Of UC

A social landlord is optimising rent payments from tenants ahead of universal credit through a pioneering agreement with its local credit union. Newark and Sherwood Homes is working closely with East Midlands Credit Union to ensure account-holding tenants pay their rent on time - without having to lift a finger. Under the agreement, tenants can have their wages or benefits paid directly into the credit union account, which then pays the rent to Newark and Sherwood Homes. There is no need for tenants to physically make a payment or even set up a direct debit on their account. Read more on 24dash.

Yet More Bedroom Tax-Linked Rent Arrears Discovered

The number of English council households in rent arrears has risen by 21% since the April introduction of the bedroom tax. And for households specifically hit by the controversial policy the rise was even more dramatic, with arrears soaring by 59%.  The study also found that the total amount of money owed in arrears has risen by 16% since the bedroom tax's inception. For Newark and Sherwood Homes alone, 37% of tenancies deemed to be under-occupying their properties had fallen into arrears by June 2013. Read more on 24dash.

Council Signs 30-Year Agreement with ALMO

Newark and Sherwood District Council has extended its agreement with its ALMO for another 30 years. Newark and Sherwood Homes, which was formed in 2004, has worked closely with the council over the past six months to reach an agreement which would bring cost efficiencies through careful planning and shared resources, whilst maximising the investment which can be made on behalf of local tenants. The 30-year term means that the ALMO can make long-term plans to improve its homes and communities said its chair Ginette Hughes.  Read more on the Housing Excellence website.

Section 106 and Eviction - CLG Question Session

Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): The Government recently announced that they would allow developers effectively to plead poverty in their section 106 agreements in order to get out of building affordable homes. Can the Secretary of State tell me how many affordable homes will not be built as a result of those changes, bearing in mind that the National Housing Federation estimates that 35,000 new affordable homes are built through the process each year?

Mr Don Foster: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has pointed out, if we do not take these steps many of the developments will not take place. Nevertheless, if we go ahead with the schemes, as we hope to do, we estimate that around 10,000 affordable homes might be lost through section 106 agreements, which is why we have put in place a funding scheme that will provide more than 15,000 additional properties and bring a further 5,000 empty properties back into use. We will get double what was going to be lost.

Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): Is the Secretary of State aware that Newark and Sherwood Homes in my constituency is threatening its tenants with eviction for displaying a poster requesting not to have election literature delivered? Is it not unprecedented for a housing authority to step into the democratic process like that, and will he talk with the Electoral Commission about the matter?

Mr Pickles: That seems to me to be treating tenants as some 19th century mill owner might have treated his workers. It is entirely inappropriate that tenants should be refused their democratic right to display a poster. I urge the returning officer to look into the injustice immediately.

Community Groups to Bring 2,000 Empty Homes Back To Life

CLG minister Mr Stunell has announced the winners of £25.1million of government funding on a visit to one of the successful projects in Newark, Nottinghamshire.  Newark and Sherwood Homes Ltd successfully applied for a £50,000 grant to purchase and bring four empty properties back into use from the Empty Homes Community Fund. These will be a mix of 2-3 bedroom houses and bungalows that will provide affordable housing for 20 people. Mr Stunell also visited Newark and Sherwood Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations to find out first hand how they have been involved in these projects.  Read more about this and other successful projects on the CLG website.