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Only some 64 responses from potential 11,000 households re: housing stock transfer consultation
Not exactly the 1000’s of responses claimed
Erimus is the largest RSL, and the largest provider of social housing within Middlesbrough. It began business in Middlesbrough on November 15th 2004. The organisation, a not-for-profit housing association, was born after thousands of tenants voted for Middlesbrough Council’s housing stock to be transferred to the new organisation.
Erimus Housing now own almost 11,000 homes across the town, employees around 500 and our organisation is becoming a key player in breathing new life into the town. The RSL just about providing quality homes. We want our housing services to be first class yet affordable, creating sustainable neighbourhoods where people want to live. http://www.housingnet.co.uk/housingnet- ... using.html
Middlesbrough Council will proceed to a ballot on stock transfer after resolving financial problems that had been threatening to scupper its plans.Head of housing Bill Pearch has now admitted the process had been held up for around six months Middlesbrough Council will proceed to a ballot on stock transfer after resolving financial problems that had been threatening to scupper its plans.Head of housing Bill Pearch has now admitted the process had been held up for around six months while the council tried to find a solution.The problem centred on who would pay the costs of a public private partnership between the council and HBS, which provides a number of services including personnel and IT.At present the PPP is partly funded by the housing revenue account and the services provided are used by a number of departments. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation were drawn into discussions on how the costs and responsibilities would be split between the council and the transfer landlord.The ODPM has now agreed to treat the initial costs of changing the PPP contract – around £3 million – as one-off start-up costs that it will pay for. The split in costs between the council and the housing association has also been agreed.Executive member for housing Ron Lowes said: ‘When it became clear there were potentially serious financial implications we put matters on hold until they could be resolved. Investment in housing, however important, could not be gained at the expense of resources for other services.'Meanwhile housing minister Keith Hill has emphasised to councils that they could not expect large allocations of cash for gap funding from the regional housing boards.Speaking at a seminar at the Housing Corporation last week, Mr Hill said: ‘We stress the importance of working early with the government offices on decent homes so that the case for a small contribution to funding the gap can be made to the regional housing board.'But Liz Ormston, new partnerships and initiatives manager at Tower Hamlets Council, said the borough would shortly submit an updated options appraisal that would repeat the need for large amounts of gap funding.She said: ‘It will be a matter for the government office and the ODPM to decide whether or not they are serious about addressing the housing circumstances for the tenants in Tower Hamlets.' http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/middlesb ... 54.article
MIDDLESBROUGH INFORMATION ........ASBESTOS
Subject: asbestos
In Nov 2004 Middlesbrough Council transferred their council stock to Erimus.
A legal agreement was reached with Erimus which would fund the removal of asbestos from the all ex council houses. The budget was to be £13.129.223 the agreement was effective from Nov 2004 to 2014.
The agreement reads "shall carry out the Works with all reasonable skill,care and expedition and in accordance with the recommendations of the Survey and shall use all reasonable endeavours to complete the Works within 10years of the Completion date [or such longer period as may reasonably be required to complete the said Works].
To date Erimus have spent, after seven years have elapsed, only £3.941.600. I have no vested interest, my concern is for the health and wellbeing of the residents of Erimus Housing.
My experience as a trade union official and safety representative made me aware of the hazards of asbestos. Asbestos is a deadly assassin, invisible to the naked eye, each fibre whether it be blue[crocidolite], amosite [brown ] or chrysotile [white] can cause cancer and death.There is no such place as a safe home when asbestos is present.
It may appear safe yet moments later damage may occur caused through residents attempting repairs, picture hanging, heat and
cold can cause expansion and contraction of asbestos materials causing the release of the deadly fibres, floor tiles may have an asbestos content, constant wear and rear can again cause the release of the fibres.
On the 10.12.2012 I attended as a member of the public an Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting Chaired by Labour Councillor Janice Brunton [Middlesbrough Council]. I was informed by the chair I would not be allowed to speak, this despite the Middlesbrough Council Constitution stating
"investigations shall be conducted so as to maximise the efficiency of the investigation or analysis".
Councillor Brunton is fully aware of my expertise on asbestos yet chose to gag me to the detriment of the Scrutiny exercise. It is my understanding of the legal agreement that it is a clear and worthy document.
A principal solicitor of the council attempted to give his clarification of the agreement. The solicitor in my view made serious errors in his assessment of the agreement. He said "demolition rather than remediation of properties has reduced the anticipated cost of dealing with the asbestos". It seems the solicitor is not aware that asbestos by law must be removed before demolition. He also says the position can be summed up by saying that Erimus Housing is complying with the terms of the agreement which contains no provision for MBC to intervene by requiring additional attention to the properties or accelerated expenditure, any such requirement would call for renegotiation".
The agreement states skill care and expedition, meaning promptness and speed, Erimus have certainly shown no speed in
applying the legal agreement. Their lack of 'expedition' leaves the residents of Erimus living in asbestos contaminated homes in potential danger.
Erimus have spent only £3.941.600 in removing asbestos, this after seven year, there remains in the budget £9,187,623.
When are Erimus going to commit themselves to removing all asbestos from homes expeditiously and relieve the worry of residents.
A salient feature of the Scrutiny meeting was the absence of Councillor Mike Carr appointee of Middlesbrough Council to the board of Erimus who is also chair of Erimus and Councillor Bob Brady chair of Fabrik the parent company of Erimus who also sits on the board of Erimus. what is the point of the council having representatives if they will not attend important meetings.
Dennis Lane
Asbestos, Erimus and MBC.
January 20, 2012 by rocklifferover
I dont know much about asbestos, or the dealings between Erimus and MBC regarding the stuff. But, for information for Dennis Lane and Tosha, who’s reproducing Dennis’ letters to parts of MBC that deal with such things, I am happy to share what little I am aware of. Erimus, along with a specialist asbestos removal company, are currently very busy on Brabourn Gardens in Hemlington on what appears to be a sizeable operation, with portable decontamination facilities and lots and lots of scaffolding on a number of houses. Been there since Monday 9th. Not sure if this is relevant or helpful, but, like I said, happy to share it with others. http://bettermiddlesbrough.wordpress.co ... s-and-mbc/
JUST A THOUGHT,
Maybe those who bought their properties from MBC/Erimus, (now private owners) might have a claim, if MBC/Erimus knew when they sold them the property, that there was asbestos present!
Read the disrepair clause in the MBC to Erimus transfer documents.
DATED 15TH NOVEMBER 2004
MIDDLESBROUGH BOROUGH COUNCIL
- and -
ERIMUS HOUSING LIMITED
TRANSFER CONTRACT
CONFORMED COPY
TROWERS & HAMLINS
Sceptre Court
40 Tower Hill
London EC3N 4DX
MBC Erimus stock transfer records reveal the potential number of homes contaminated with Asbestos
“Pre-Fabs” absolutely stuffed full of the worst type of Asbestos
Include the homes of Acklam Grovehill Palister Park Park End Saltergill Thorntree etc
with facia boards ceilings guttering lofts waste pipes and more: all containing Asbestos
Welcome to Erimus Housing: - ecological and financial time bomb of Middlesbrough
MrDeGenero wrote:What is the deadline to bring all properties included in the stock transfer up to decent homes standard?
Seem to remember that they were given about 10 years to do this and rid all properties of asbestos etc.
Wonder if they are required to report on annual progress towards these commitments?
Anybody know how they are doing?
