Changes to the massive negative subsisy that takes about £3 million per year from Council Tenants in King's Hedges, and just under £12 million from Cambridge as a whole, have been delayed again.
The Labour Government have delayed consultation on changes to the scheme, which was due to start in November last year until the "autumn" of this year.
The scheme must be changed to be fairer to areas like King's Hedges.
Amng the possible reasons for delay is the fact that the Labour Government is now taking a higher cut of the subsidy money to spend elsewhere in Government. The subsidy is no longer used to subsidise housing and has just become a tenant tax. Combined with the centrally imposed rent increases it starts to feel like a sustained attack on a group that includes some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Mike Pitt, along with Cllr Smart, the Executive Councillor for Housing, and tenant reps has recently written to the Secretary of State on these issue. The Labour spokesman on these issues on the Council didn't sign the letter.
Showing posts with label HMB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HMB. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Monday, 12 January 2009
Hawkins Road improvements
City Homes are about to start consultation on works to improve the Hawkins Road area, including Wilson, Atkins and Larkin.
If you live in the Hawks area then please use the consulation to let City Homes know your view on the proposed works.
The results of consultations are very important: proposed changes to recycling in Nuns Way were changed recently following a big response to consultation and the work of your local LibDem City Councillors.
The improvements are part of the Cambridge Standard Improvement Programme of the City Council which aims to raise the standard of the City's Council House stock. Whilst we're on the topic I must mention (again!) the superb inspection result. I have been told that the report is the best given to a council who retain their stock!
If you live in the Hawks area then please use the consulation to let City Homes know your view on the proposed works.
The results of consultations are very important: proposed changes to recycling in Nuns Way were changed recently following a big response to consultation and the work of your local LibDem City Councillors.
The improvements are part of the Cambridge Standard Improvement Programme of the City Council which aims to raise the standard of the City's Council House stock. Whilst we're on the topic I must mention (again!) the superb inspection result. I have been told that the report is the best given to a council who retain their stock!
Saturday, 15 November 2008
More on Edgecombe aerials
The problem with the Edgecombe aerials is quite severe. If you are without TV reception please get in touch with your housing officer as alternative arrangements can be made whilst the problem is investigated further. Any problems call or email us!
In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.
In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.
More on Edgecombe aerials
The problem with the Edgecombe aerials is quite severe. If you are without TV reception please get in touch with your housing officer as alternative arrangements can be made whilst the problem is investigated further. Any problems call or email us!
In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.
In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Edgecombe Aerials Out
I received a phone call today informing me that the communal TV aerial for the Edgecombe flats is currently not working, and has been out for some time.
The issue is connected to damaged cabling, and I am trying to find out what the delay is and when it will be fixed.
Watch this space.
In vaguely related news one item on the Housing Management Board agenda for the week after next is the digitial switchover. After that meeting we should have more information on that.
The issue is connected to damaged cabling, and I am trying to find out what the delay is and when it will be fixed.
Watch this space.
In vaguely related news one item on the Housing Management Board agenda for the week after next is the digitial switchover. After that meeting we should have more information on that.
Monday, 30 June 2008
About us: Mike Pitt
So that you know a little more about the people representing you on the City Council we will each write a brief bio of ourselves.
I came to Cambridge as a student in 1993 and stayed in the City. My wife, Catherine, and I have lived in Kirkby Close since 1999. I worked for several years as a programmer, but retrained to become a teacher.
I now teach Mathematics at a comprehensive just south of Cambridge (Linton Village College). I am also a Governor of King's Hedges School.
I first stood in 2004 in King's Hedges, and was elected last year at my second attempt to become our second Councillor in the ward after Neale.
On the council I am Chair of the Housing Management Board, and sit on the Standards committee.
I came to Cambridge as a student in 1993 and stayed in the City. My wife, Catherine, and I have lived in Kirkby Close since 1999. I worked for several years as a programmer, but retrained to become a teacher.
I now teach Mathematics at a comprehensive just south of Cambridge (Linton Village College). I am also a Governor of King's Hedges School.
I first stood in 2004 in King's Hedges, and was elected last year at my second attempt to become our second Councillor in the ward after Neale.
On the council I am Chair of the Housing Management Board, and sit on the Standards committee.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Choice Based Letting: Going live next week
There is a big change in how social housing is allocated next week with the launch of Home-Link, the Cambridge Choice Based Letting Scheme (CBL).
This means that from next week instead of going on the waiting list until a house is allocated to you, people on the housing needs register can "bid" for the houses that become available, up to three of their choice each fortnight. The houses will be allocated based on the four priority bands (from A ("urgent") to D) and then based upon how long the bidder has been on the list.
Each fortnight a magazine (available at City Homes North and Arbury Library in our area) will be issued, and the houses will go on the Home-Link website, and a bidding round will take place by web, SMS, phone, post or in person. The first bidding round is next week!
Help with bidding will be available at City Homes North, and from voluntary organisations such as the Citzens Advice Bureau and Cambridge Law Centre.
From the second issue there will be a report: this will allow those on the list to see the need band and the time that the successful bidders had been waiting.
Covering Cambridge City Council houses, and residential social landlords and Council stock in 6 neighbouring local authorities, this is one of the larger CBL schemes in the country, and as far as we know the first to cover a mix of urban and rural districts.
A word of warning: the scheme doesn't create any new homes: we still have around 6000 people on the waiting list in total. Further Cambridge has just under 300 people in band A (Urgent) and just under 300 in band B (High) at any time but only around 600 homes are available each year. That figure includes sheltered housing and bedsits. There is still huge demand for our limited stock.
However the advantages are that now prospective tenants have more choice in the houses they will live in, can see more clearly what is available for tenants, and can see clearly how long people are waiting to get housed.
This means that from next week instead of going on the waiting list until a house is allocated to you, people on the housing needs register can "bid" for the houses that become available, up to three of their choice each fortnight. The houses will be allocated based on the four priority bands (from A ("urgent") to D) and then based upon how long the bidder has been on the list.
Each fortnight a magazine (available at City Homes North and Arbury Library in our area) will be issued, and the houses will go on the Home-Link website, and a bidding round will take place by web, SMS, phone, post or in person. The first bidding round is next week!
Help with bidding will be available at City Homes North, and from voluntary organisations such as the Citzens Advice Bureau and Cambridge Law Centre.
From the second issue there will be a report: this will allow those on the list to see the need band and the time that the successful bidders had been waiting.
Covering Cambridge City Council houses, and residential social landlords and Council stock in 6 neighbouring local authorities, this is one of the larger CBL schemes in the country, and as far as we know the first to cover a mix of urban and rural districts.
A word of warning: the scheme doesn't create any new homes: we still have around 6000 people on the waiting list in total. Further Cambridge has just under 300 people in band A (Urgent) and just under 300 in band B (High) at any time but only around 600 homes are available each year. That figure includes sheltered housing and bedsits. There is still huge demand for our limited stock.
However the advantages are that now prospective tenants have more choice in the houses they will live in, can see more clearly what is available for tenants, and can see clearly how long people are waiting to get housed.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
£1500 per family penalty for well run housing
The figure for how much money the Labour government are taking from our tenants is now in. This year the Council Tenants of Cambridge will be sending £12.1 million to Gordon Brown.
Thats £12.1 million that we can't spend on improving homes for people in the city, or on providing extra affordable housing in the city to reduce the waiting list, or even on maintenance of the housing stock. It could hit our plans to refurbish sheltered housing.
It works out at £1500 per household.
The argument goes that it is right to take money from rich areas to subsidise poorer, but this isn't what happens. The people being hit for this cash are not the wealthiest in Cambridge, or those most able to pay. This is a tax on being a council tenant, and those include some of the most vulnerable in our society. It includes those in sheltered housing.
I try to avoid posting when angry, but whenever I start to write about the"negative subsidy" I get angry: This is not a fair way to address issues in housing provision, and it damages the services that the city can provide.
The Liberal Democrat run City Council continues to campaign against it, as does David Howarth, our MP. As will your Liberal Democrat ward councillors.
Thats £12.1 million that we can't spend on improving homes for people in the city, or on providing extra affordable housing in the city to reduce the waiting list, or even on maintenance of the housing stock. It could hit our plans to refurbish sheltered housing.
It works out at £1500 per household.
The argument goes that it is right to take money from rich areas to subsidise poorer, but this isn't what happens. The people being hit for this cash are not the wealthiest in Cambridge, or those most able to pay. This is a tax on being a council tenant, and those include some of the most vulnerable in our society. It includes those in sheltered housing.
I try to avoid posting when angry, but whenever I start to write about the"negative subsidy" I get angry: This is not a fair way to address issues in housing provision, and it damages the services that the city can provide.
The Liberal Democrat run City Council continues to campaign against it, as does David Howarth, our MP. As will your Liberal Democrat ward councillors.
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