Tag Archives: Frederick Crececent

Residents overwhelmingly reject plans for a for-profit company to take over their homes

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Residents on the Lothian estate in Maytt’s Fields have overwhelmingly rejected proposals from a for-profit, private company to snatch control of their homes.

The results of a consultation, held at the end of last year, found that:

  • Around two thirds of eligible residents gave their views: a huge turnout from the community – thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!
  • A huge 82 per cent of council tenants said they did not want a ballot on the proposals
  • Every single leaseholder in the area voted no to a ballot being held.

This huge “no” vote came after local councillors and residents raised serious concerns about how the plans could affects the bills of tenants and leaseholders, and put the future of their homes in doubt. Vision Homes (Lambeth) Ltd and their partner PACCA TMO also clearly failed to convince residents that they had either expertise or ability to run their homes.

Speaking about the result, Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop said:

“Lambeth Council have confirmed that they believe no ballot is now needed on these proposals given the large turnout and clear majority who rejected these plans. We support this position and would urge Vision Homes Lambeth to listen to the people and abandon the proposal. It is concerning that early indications appear to show that the for profit outfit still wants to continue with a ballot.

“We would like to thank everyone who has spoken to us about these takeover plans: we realise this process has been extremely stressful for many residents.”

Further reading on these proposals

Local housing boss warns residents could be left worse off by for-profit private company takeover plan

For-profit outfit unable to provide basic information about their proposals

Leaseholders will lose out under local home takeover plan

Local councillors urge Lothian estate residents to reject plans by for-profit, private company to take control of local homes

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Local Myatt’s Fields councillors have urged residents on the Lothian estate to reject plans by a for-profit, private company to take over control of local homes as a new consultation kicks off on the proposals.

After a year of what has been described as “baffling” delays from Vision Homes (Lambeth) Ltd and PACCA TMO, Lambeth council tenants and leaseholders on the Lothian estate will finally get their say on these troubling proposals. A consultation about the plans will start on 13 November and run until 18 December with residents set to receive information about the plans from an independent electoral organisation that will be running the exercise.

The proposals, which are the first time a for-profit company has attempted this kind of council home takeover in the UK, have drawn considerable fire from the local community and councillors. Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop are warning residents that these proposals could result in:

  • New bills for residents: Vision Homes are proposing a new ‘Sink Fund’ charged to tenants, but they haven’t said much the charge will be, if there is any cap on how much it will be and what the fund will be used for. Vision Homes could also increase other bills like service charges during the year and ask you to pay VAT on services like repairs.
  • Concerns over the future of local homes: If Vision Homes were to sell homes on the estate to another company in the future, like a private developer, they will not be obligated to ballot residents to ask if they are happy with this sell off. Residents will also not be able to elect people to represent them on the “new board” that will be set up to run your estate: members of the board will be chosen by Vision Homes.
  • An organisation with no track record of running homes taking control of housing services: This for-profit company has no track record of running social housing. If this transfer goes ahead it would be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.

Cllr Gadsby and Cllr Gallop are urging residents to express their concerns about these plans in the consultation: if residents indicate they are favour of this for-profit takeover, a ballot of council tenants will happen in early 2024.

Cllr Gadsby and Cllr Gallop said:

“We have heard from many residents on the Lothian estate who are worried sick about these proposals. We would strongly urge residents to reject these proposals.”

“We want to thank the many residents who have spoken to us about these worrying plans: please get in touch if you want to speak to us further. “

Further reading on these proposals

Local housing boss warns residents could be left worse off by for-profit private company takeover plan

For-profit outfit unable to provide basic information about their proposals

Leaseholders will lose out under local home takeover plan

Lothian estate coffee morning – come along and meet your local councillors!

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Local Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop are hosting a coffee morning for local residents on the Lothian estate this coming Saturday.

This drop-in event is open to all residents to pop along and discuss any local issues with Annie and Paul, whether it’s ideas for improving our community, or a personal matter that may require a helping hand from councillors.

The coffee morning will be held at St John the Divine Community Centre, 21 Frederick Crescent (SW9 6XN), on Saturday 28 October, 11am-1.30pm.

Many residents have been concerned about the proposed take over of council homes on the Lothian estate by a private company. This has now been dragging on for almost a year, with Lambeth Council saying it is “baffling” that the for-profit outfit behind the proposed privatisation of local homes has failed to provide basic financial information on how they would run essential services, including repairs, for residents.

If you are concerned about these proposals, please contact councillors here.

More delays hit private company’s attempted take over of council homes on the Lothian Estate

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Lambeth Council have confirmed that there is still no end in sight to the year long saga of an attempt by a private, for-profit company to take over council homes on the Lothian estate in Myatt’s Fields.

In April, Lambeth wrote to residents telling them that Vision Homes (Lambeth) LTD and PACCA TMO LTD, had not produced key details of their plans that would allow a consultation and then ballot to take place on their proposals to grab the ownership of more than 200 council tenant properties on the Lothian estate.

In November last year, Cllr Maria Kay (Cabinet member for Better Homes and Reducing Homelessness in Lambeth) wrote a similarly strongly worded letter to tenants warning these plans could leave them worse off financially. Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop also have raised concerns that leaseholders, owing to national legislation, will be excluded from the ballot, but will have their leases transferred to this private company should tenants vote “yes” to the proposals in a ballot.

Lambeth Council say that, as the summer draws to a close, key details have still not been provided that would allow a ballot to take place. Cllr Kay said:

“It is incredibly disappointing that residents around the Lothian estate have now been waiting for almost a year for this situation to be clarified. I am baffled as to why it has taken the private company so long to clarify basic information about how their financial plans stack up. We will continue as a council to raise our concerns about these dangerous and potentially disasterous plans.”

Below: a copy of the letter written to tenants in April.

Private, for-profit company still “unable to provide key information” on plans for takeover of local council homes

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A private, for-profit company which is trying to take over some local council homes in Myatt’s Fields has still to provide vital information on how it would run vital services including repairs, according to Lambeth Council.

After almost six months, Vision Homes (Lambeth) LTD and PACCA TMO LTD, are still yet to produce key details of their plans that would allow a consultation and then ballot to take place on their proposals to grab the ownership of more than 200 council tenant properties on the Lothian estate.

The claim was made in a letter from the Interim Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Reducing Homelessness, Cllr Tim Windle, to residents last week.

The message, supported by local Myatt’s Fields Councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop, re-iterated Lambeth’s opposition to the proposals – – which the Council believes could end up costing council tenants more money. A copy of the letter is below:

A date for the proposed ballot has still not yet been set. Council tenant and leaseholder properties affected by these proposals are on the following streets — unfortunately, owing to national legislation, leaseholders are barred from voting despite facing their leases being transferred to Vision Homes should there be a Yes vote:

  • Lothian Road (Dalkeith House, Silverburn House and Bathgate House)
  • Langton Road
  • Frederick Crescent
  • Myatt Road
  • Halsmere Road
  • Patmos Road
  • Tindal Street
  • Elliott Road
  • Cancell Road