'Overwhelming' support for Lewisham stock transfer

Negotiations for the transfer of homes on the Orchard Estate and Village Court in south east London, have been given the go-ahead by Lewisham Council.

The go-ahead was given by the Council at a meeting on 9 July after hearing the result of a resident ballot to see whether they were in favour of the transfer or not. The ballot followed 3 years of extensive consultation with residents, which included them choosing Broomleigh Housing Association as their preferred Registered Social Landlord last summer, should a transfer take place.

Tenants were balloted between 19 May and 9 June 2008 on whether they wished a stock transfer to take place, with a resounding 92% of people voting in favour of a transfer. 8% of people voted against the transfer. The ballot turnout was 74%.

Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: "This is great news for the residents on the Orchard Estate and Village Court.

"Residents have been really involved with this right from the start. The transfer will see them not only getting improvements to their homes, but they will also play a key part in making decisions and effecting change in their local environment."

Nick Dudman, Interim Chief Executive of Broomleigh Housing Association, said: "We are delighted to have been overwhelmingly chosen by residents as their new landlord. Ninety two per cent of residents voted in favour of the transfer, in a ballot which saw a 74 per cent turnout, one of the highest positive ballots in the London area.

"Broomleigh has a strong reputation as a local provider of high-quality homes and services, and we have pledged to invest more than £7.3m in the Orchard Estate and Village Court over a 30 year period.

"We hope to make Orchard Estate and Village Court a place where everyone has the benefit of a well maintained, warm and modern home in a safe environment and are hopeful of a swift transfer from Lewisham Council so that improvement works can start on site as soon as possible."

Jean Beckley, 67, who is Chair of the Orchard Estate Tenants and Residents Association and also chaired the Orchard Estate Steering Group on the proposal, said: "We were all agreed that Broomleigh could offer us everything we asked for and people have been involved in the consultation from the start. The transfer is going to mean a better way of life for everyone in the community with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors for residents."

Ray Heard, 71, Chair of the Village Court Tenants and Residents Association, said: "Residents are really excited at the prospect of Broomleigh taking over and they have offered residents a real choice and say on the work they will have done to their properties. We were especially impressed at the prospect of a full- time warden at the scheme which without a doubt will make a big difference to people’s quality of life."

Doreen Housley, 73, who has lived on the Orchard Estate for 41 years, said: "I just cannot wait, from what I have seen of the plans of what Broomleigh intend to do, it looks lovely. I believe Broomleigh will keep their promises and that they know what they are talking about. They answered our questions and listened to our concerns – to me Broomleigh were just the best."

Talks with Broomleigh Housing Association will now begin to agree a series of principles on which the transfer offer documents will be based. These include:

• Rents to remain the same as if they were still with the Council
• A £4.6 million repair and improvement programme to bring all homes up to the "Decent Homes Standard Plus"
• Carrying out a series of environmental improvements in the first 3 years following transfer
• Consultation on a programme of security and environmental improvements, including; installing entry phone systems, improved lighting and improving/installing boundary fencing and railings.
• A Housing Office and community facility to be built on the old playground site on the Orchard Estate.

Resident involvement on the Orchard Estate and Village Court has been very strong from the outset. Residents have been determined that their decent home investment provider adopts a holistic and sustainable approach to addressing their housing needs and environmental concerns. A key element for them will be strong representation of their views via the Residents Board.

The Orchard Estate comprises of 60 tenanted and 47 leasehold properties. Village Court consists of 26 sheltered homes.

It is anticipated that the transfer will take place in January 2009.