The council continues to provide a lifeline to the most vulnerable in society. Help comes in many forms, from delivering essential food and household items, providing outpatient services and getting rough sleepers off the street, to supporting new shielding and wellbeing services.

Teams at our Orchard Housing Office have been contacting all residents over 70 to check they are well and have access to food and medications. That’s over 800 residents.

Thankfully, the majority are okay. We are checking in on any who need extra assistance, with 60 of our tenants being called weekly for extra support.

Jane Tosunoglu, Housing Officer, contacted an elderly lady living on her own who was concerned that her medication had not been delivered. She had been advised that it was at the pharmacy but was unable to get through on the phone to check. As she was self-isolating, Jane visited the pharmacy with the resident’s details and was able to pick up and deliver her medication.

Trevor Isles, Tenancy Sustainment Officer, contacted a resident with sensory difficulties who is a lone parent and was facing a four-week wait for a supermarket delivery. Trevor sought advice from the council’s Wellbeing Service on her behalf and was directed to the NHS self-referral service. Trevor contacted the tenant’s GP, who made the referral directly, and a local volunteer was arranged to help.

The day-to-day maintenance contract for council housing that is currently held by Morrison, is due to be re-tendered. There will be up to two contracts awarded, covering all our homes and estates. The new contract(s) will be for seven years, starting in April 2021.

We have written to all residents to invite comments to be submitted either online, by telephone or post.

The consultation ended on Friday 5 June 2020. Thank you to all residents who submitted comments. We will write to you again with the result of the consultation. A resident panel will also be involved in the procurement process.

Following a brief postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are pleased to report that work has now restarted at the following sites:

• Kielder Close, Hainault, IG6 3ER
• Marlyon Road, Chigwell, IG6 3XN
• Old Mill Court, South Woodford, E18 1NJ
• Pershore Close, Ilford, IG2 6RR

We are particularly pleased to report that six new three bedroom council homes have been completed at Wessex Close, Newbury Park.

The Council Leader, Jas Athwal, recently met with new council tenant, Syeda Rakib, who is delighted to be moving in to her new family home in Wessex Close.

In this video we hear from two residents who share their stories on how moving to a new build council home has made a difference to their lives.

> Watch the video

Would you like to comment on new proposals and quality standards for council housing in Redbridge?

We are inviting local people to join a Community Review Panel (PDF 1531KB).

The panel will play an independent, advisory role in the programme of new council house building, to ensure it is of the highest possible design quality and meets the needs of residents.

This opportunity is open to people from all backgrounds and does not require experience or knowledge of planning or architecture; we want to actively engage with those whose voices are not being heard. This is a great opportunity to become involved in how new council homes will be built.

> Join our panel

The Orchard Housing Office currently remains closed to the public. However, there are plans to prepare the office to partially re-open on an appointment-only basis once adjustments have been made to safeguard residents and staff.

We will announce the reopening date once this is confirmed. We continue to keep in touch with customers using telephone and digital channels, including video conferencing apps.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, celebrations took place last month across the country locally to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Here is a lovely photo from Mrs Rosalind Bader, a council tenant from South Woodford, featuring her as a two-year-old with her twin brother and mum (pictured in the bow tie!) Wonderful!

Due to the current restrictions, we are holding resident meetings using the Microsoft Teams app.

This allows you to participate using your mobile phone, laptop or other device.

The meetings currently being planned are:

• Resident Housing Panel meeting (Monday 13 July from 4pm to 5pm.)
• Leaseholder Forum meeting (Tuesday 21 July 2020 at 6pm.)

If you would like to participate in either of these meetings, please email resident.engagement@redbridge.gov.uk

Although we are holding fewer face-to-face meetings to keep both our customers and staff safe, we continue to keep in contact by telephone or using digital platforms, such as Microsoft Teams and Skype.