News release
21 January 2010
Lambeth Living calls for a re-think on budget proposals and a
fair deal for Lambeth tenants
Lambeth Living’s Board is urging Lambeth Council to set a secure
budget that helps provide improved services to tenants and unlocks
millions of pounds of decent homes funding.
The board is asking the council to invest in – not reduce – the
funding provided to Lambeth Living, to produce a budget that
delivers more sustainable services and helps Lambeth Living reach
the two star rating necessary to access £233million.
Chair of Lambeth Living, Keith Hill, MP, said: “I am concerned
by the potential impact on Lambeth tenants and Lambeth Living
services of reductions in funding. Our services need to improve and
they need investment to do so or services will retreat. The
proposed budget needs a greater strategic focus on reaching two
stars by 2011.”
Draft proposals contained in the Housing Revenue Account Budget
and Rent Setting Report 2010/2011 reduce Lambeth Living’s
management fee by £2.3million. This is a 9 per cent reduction in
one year and a 25 per cent reduction since residents voted to
create an arms length management organisation (ALMO) three years
ago.
As a relatively new organisation, Lambeth Living was set up with
a very lean back office. To put the funding reductions into
context, this means a potential loss of between 50 to 70 Lambeth
Living staff, largely frontline, and closure of at least two area
offices. The number of Lambeth Living posts could then reduce from
500 to 370 in three years.
Lambeth Living has been delivering more with less but the
continued level of reductions has significant implications for both
the sustainability of services and their future improvement.
Lambeth Living requires investment which it argues should be
viewed on an invest-to-save basis to unlock the decent homes
funding.
Along with rejecting the proposed cut in the management fee,
Lambeth Living is asking the council to restore funding of
£1.9million for the next financial year to maintain services and
deliver the required improvements.
Keith Hill added “We want fair rents and charges. We recognise
that higher rents are difficult and challenging for tenants and we
don’t want that. We are calling for different expenditure not more
and a fair rent rise that provides tenants with sustainable, value
for money services - a fair settlement, a fair rent and a fair
budget. Our priority is to maintain service delivery and improve
the lives of some of Lambeth’s most disadvantaged residents. The
budgets for Lambeth Living are vital to secure the major investment
funds that we know have been set aside for the borough if we
progress towards two stars.”
The Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent Setting 2010/2011
proposals are currently undergoing consultation, which ends on 25
January. The council’s Cabinet is due to make a decision on budget,
rents, service charges and measures to balance the Housing Revenue
Account on 8 February.
Before the consultation ends the board will be urgently writing
to councillors and council officers to express their concern over
the draft proposals.
Are you concerned about the proposals? Share your views on the
proposals by e-mailing feedback@lambethliving.org.uk