The Tenant Co-optee introduced the Tenant Scrutiny Panel’s (TSP) interim report on the tower block refurbishment programme.  He said that the TSP had visited all 5 tower blocks, spoken to project managers, requested documents and conducted a resident satisfaction survey about this big project.

The Panel commented that the report was very useful and interesting.  In response to questions the Panel noted that:

·         There had been limited opportunity to engage with leaseholders.

·         It would be useful for TSP members to be named in future reports.

·         Replacing inefficient, unserviceable storage heaters and improving energy efficiency had been a priority and the Council would evaluate these impacts at the end of the project.

·         It was unusual for satisfaction to be measured midway through a project but this had enabled a number of issues to be identified and addressed.

·         A tribunal case about the costs to leaseholders was ongoing.

·         Sinking funds could not be implemented retrospectively but would be considered for new developments e.g. at Barton Park.

·         The refurbishment involved complicated and disruptive works and there had been tensions at times.

·         The new Resident Liaison Coordinator had been a go to person and would remain in post until the end of the project.  This role was seen as vital for major works and budget proposals would be brought forward to make this post permanent.

The Head of Housing and Property Services Manager introduced this report.

The Panel questioned whether the budget allocated for tower block refurbishment included works to kitchens and bathrooms and the installation of CCTV.  The Panel heard that kitchens and bathrooms were replaced on a cyclical basic and that the Oxford Standard specifications were built in to ongoing maintenance works and budgets.  CCTV was also being installed in priority areas.  All tower blocks now had CCTV with the exception of Hockmore.

In response to a question about payment options and whether potential difficulties in obtaining contributions from leaseholders would affect the delivery of the project, the Panel heard that the £20m that has been budgeted represented the full cost of project and no income had been assumed for 10 years.  There were a number of payment options and all leaseholders would be treated individually but it was expected that in most cases the Council would be taking an equity stake in the properties and recovering the costs in future.  Some landlords were expected to be able to afford their contributions and the Council would pursue these if necessary.