David Montague's November 2011 Round-up
Dec 01 2011
European Turmoil
November was a month of economic turmoil in Europe, and a grim Autumn statement from the Chancellor. More public sector job losses, longer pay freezes, longer working lives, higher borrowing, more years of austerity. But if we look across the Channel to the rest of Europe, what’s the alternative?
First in Greece, then Italy, then Spain, then France, and then, perhaps, even Germany. From our bunkers in England we peered out and wondered how meltdown in Europe would impact on our economy, on the housing market, on housing associations, and on L&Q. We stopped for a moment to consider where the tipping point was, what the disaster scenario looked like, how likely it was, and whether we had taken the right steps to avoid it.
Global Economic uncertainty
Staying with global economic uncertainty, in November I attended “the Great Stagnation”, a Resolution Foundation debate in which two American economists told us about the long term decline of living standards for the average US citizen, and how that experience was now being mirrored here. Why? A strong Chinese export market and computers doing more of the jobs which people once did. More than anyone, this long term decline affects the ‘squeezed middle’ – 13 million people living in 7 million homes with 4 million children. People we care about because it is this group who are increasingly being denied access to decent, affordable housing.
Where next?
I left this debate convinced that we are facing irreversible change in the UK housing market. The home ownership dream isn’t dead, but for a growing number of people whose living standards have stagnated or declined it will remain a dream, and for some, it will become a nightmare. What do we do about it? L&Q and PWC’s “Where Next?” has some of the answers – a new form of rented housing, available to everyone offering quality, security, affordability and a pathway to ownership for those who want it and can afford it. Funded with the support of government incentives, and with housing associations playing a lead role in the growth of this new tenure.
Housing associations were born out of crisis. This is the biggest crisis we have seen for a generation, and it will take a bit of Dunkirk spirit to find our way through it. 1,500 housing associations; 1,500 boats to the rescue. Tackling this crisis is our job, and I can’t think of a better job, or better time to be in housing.
Out and about
I attended a meeting between the g15 and the Council of Mortgage Lenders Social Housing Panel, a meeting which has taken place every three months since the start of the credit crunch. We all left in no doubt that we face challenging times ahead, but continued dialogue is the key to investor confidence, something we have retained despite uncertainty everywhere.
I attended the Ealing Housing Commission, of which I am a member, and took part in a fascinating discussion about regeneration and the role of the private rented sector. Again, I can see views changing (including mine!) as a result of continued dialogue.
And I spoke at the annual Funding Affordable Homes conference in London. My message? That we have been preparing for this moment not since the comprehensive spending review but since the collapse of the American banking system three years ago in 2008. That, as a consequence, housing associations are in a unique position to respond to the housing crisis. And that we can all do a lot more if we do it in partnership.
Back at L&Q
I hosted the L&Q Creating Places Awards, an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those residents who step forward and take responsibility for their communities, giving their own time and being prepared to stand up and be counted. An honour to be a small part of their extraordinary success.
See you again next month!
David
Comments
Eva S02/12/2011
This day I Eva Silver received a correspondence for one of your Officers
The NC’s fit in to our operational structure and have set agendas and reports which have been agreed via our Residents Board and Group Board.
The NC Committee is made up of L&Q residents which is why they are not the correct channel for you to address and/or solve these issues through.
The NC’s fit in to our operational structure and have set agendas and reports which have been agreed via our Residents Board (do you mean the two Resident Board Members and Group Board.) whom loyal is to the Management and Board of L & Q Housing Trust
Does this mean that the Officer whom wrote this on this day has just confirmed to me this day that you have no "Real Consumer, Customer's Scrutiny Panel made up on only Consumer, Customer's setting the agenda and if fact no Consumer, Customer set the Foundation of Co-Regulation under Local Offers.
From the correspondence that the Officer and Chair whom sits on the Board and on the Neighbour Commitee Group made a decision regarding my correspondence being send to the Committee Members without calling a "Special Meeting" and deciding in fact if all member's agreement agree with this decision and the fact "I like to see by what Authorise given to them to speak on behalf of the members"
I also like you made aware that a Member of the Committee was appointed/Nominated to come and hear and see our issues, concerns of a body/group of 40 Consumer, Customer in Westminster SW1P
It quotes The NC Committee is made up of L&Q residents which is why they are not the correct channel for you to address and/or solve these issues through. So I Eva Silver ask what are the Obvious Procedures
When is your body of Consumer, Customer sitting on a Tenant Panel under Scrutiny Panel with own Term of Reference, Role of the Chair and either Ground Rules or Code of Conduct
Eva S02/12/2011
Dear Paul
First why when you response on the Chief Executive Blog that the Customer does get a confirmation in their emailbox and that why I now had to reword this communication.
I take up the part under "publishing minutes on this website," Our Neighbourhood Committee meetings are not public meetings, and that is why we don’t publish the dates of the meetings or the meeting minutes on our website. - Which I Eva Silver will be going via the Obvious Procedures to establish whether you right . Well this isn't Accountability, Transparency, Openness & Scrutiny that Consumer, Customer's promised under Local Offers and again I like to remind L & Q Housing Trust I went via the Obvious In House Procedures and send in my comment to the Neighbourhood Committee under "Having my Say" and both Officers didn't raise the this at the meeting in my Presents.
Other Bcc due awaiting permission to for them
Again if you do not want to be on the mailing list please advise the Author/Sender
This day I Eva Silver received a correspondence for one of your Officers
The NC’s fit in to our operational structure and have set agendas and reports which have been agreed via our Residents Board and Group Board.
The NC Committee is made up of L&Q residents which is why they are not the correct channel for you to address and/or solve these issues through.
The NC’s fit in to our operational structure and have set agendas and reports which have been agreed via our Residents Board (do you mean the your 12 Resident Board Members that also Chair all the Neighbourhood Committee and has well and that the Group Board set up this Group) whom loyal is to the Management and Board of L & Q Housing Trust and not to the Consumer, Customer of L & Q Housing Trust due to Constitution, Role of the Chairs, Conduct of Conduct and may I have copies of these Documents.
Does this mean that the Officer whom wrote this on this day has just confirmed to me this day that you have no "Real Consumer, Customer's Scrutiny Panel made up of on only Consumer, Customer's setting the agenda and if fact no Consumer, Customer set the Foundation of Co-Regulation under Local Offers. Which you Management Team is
From the correspondence that the Officer and Chair whom sits on the Board and on the Neighbour Committee Group made a decision regarding my correspondence being send to the Committee Members without calling a "Special Meeting" and deciding in fact if all member's should be agreeing this decision by way of a "Vote" and the fact "I like to see by what Authorise given to them to speak on behalf of the members" that being Officer of L & Q Housing and the Chair of the Neighbourhood Committee and a Resident Board Member
I also like you made aware that a Member of the Committee was appointed/Nominated to come and hear and see our issues, concerns of a body/group of 40 Consumer, Customer in Westminster SW1P
It quotes The NC Committee is made up of L&Q residents which is why they are not the correct channel for you to address and/or solve these issues through. So I Eva Silver ask what are the Obvious Procedures
When is your body of Consumer, Customer sitting on a Tenant Panel under Scrutiny Panel with own Term of Reference, Role of the Chair and either Ground Rules or Code of Conduct
Eva S03/12/2011
Elusive ‘Stake’ does not bode well with this Housing Trust - you should encourage that elusive sense of having a stake in a community.
I Eva Silver believe what the future holds in store for this Housing Trust
Due to my experience under "Co-Regulation under Local Offers in a Board and Management Structure will not real Consumer, Customer Scrutinising under the Customer Related Services and with no real Consumer, Customer's "Cold Calling your Consumer, Customer's by Customer under this Customer Related Services.
Then it just a Management and Board collating the facts and figures and no "Real Consumer, Customer's Scrutiny of the Customer Related Services in my option.
Housing associations should be prepared for legal challenges which could see them lose their management functions to a company run by leaseholders. Under the Common hold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, qualifying tenants of buildings containing flats were given the right to take away the management functions of the landlord without having to prove incompetence or pay any premium to achieve this.
This process is called right to manage and applies to housing associations and private landlords. Councils are exempt, so a stock transfer to a housing association could well bestow on their leaseholders a right.
Yours
Eva Silver a Consumer, Customer of L & Q Housing Trust
Paul H05/12/2011
Ms Silver,
I believe that you are currently in contact with several of my colleagues who are discussing these issues with you. I have passed your comments to my colleagues, who will discuss these with you in due course.
Eva S05/12/2011
Paul H you are not the Chief Executive and I finding this very discourteous of the man calling himself our Chief Executive. I am writing to him and not you Paul H.
I do not take kindly that he is allowing you to answer for him
Again we offer a place for him to be at the next meeting in the New Year. if not is the Director Michael Donaldson available to correspondence with and if so may I have his email address
I would tell the Chief Executive I feel highly insulted that he isn't communicating with me Eva Silver
Paul H06/12/2011
Ms Silver,
Thank you for your further comments.
David Montague reads every comment posted on his blog. As explained on the commenting on our blogs web page, a member of L&Q staff will respond to some blog comments, particularly where themes and issues arise from discussion between several people.
Many of the issues that you have raised are personal issues which we feel are best discussed directly with the people who manage the services that you receive. You will be aware that our senior managers are having discussions with you. We feel that these people are best placed to assist you and respond to your comments at the moment.
I hope that’s helpful.
Paul Hornsby, Web Editor, L&Q
Eva S08/12/2011
These are not personal issues. I seriously object to the untruth's and veiled remarks being made on this website.
Senior Managers not having discussions with me. Again please reframe from not write truth
In fact a number of staff our in breach of Customer Service Standards under "Speech of Communication" and the fact is a truth that only answer one of the points I make. I have to keep return to the subject with little or no avail
Eva S18/12/2011
I cannot find anything on your website regarding this Development Cat Hill Enfield Development
I have heard from the Campaign Leader and I like to know when you are next meeting them. Or would you give them an Audience with the Member–Major Ventures Committee
L&Q have put in an aplication to demolish the Middlesex University campus buildings. Planning Application Reference : PA/11/0035 – available on Enfield website. As you are aware we are very concerned that the Bat, Great Crested Newt, Tree, ground contamination and asbestos reports are flawed. We cannot allow them to start knocking this down until all reports have been done again by experts
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