Over the last couple of months, I have enjoyed meeting many of you and it’s been great to understand more about all the vital frontline services we offer across Housing.
Recently, there have been some changes to our Housing Senior Leadership Team (HSLT) and wider management teams, and I am writing to provide you with an update on the interim arrangements.
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Assets are responsible for the delivery of repairs, maintenance, compliance, safety, and investment in the Council’s housing stock. Operations manage the council’s general housing stock, as well as sheltered and leaseholder properties; they also provide insight and service improvements along with resident engagement activities.
Jane Martin, Divisional Director Housing Operations, has taken on interim leadership responsibility for Housing Assets. She is supported by Robert Mathison, our new Interim Assistant Director – Housing Assets. Dragana Gvozdic-Groza, who has replaced Dennis Panter, has also recently joined Housing Assets as Head of Compliance and Assurance.
Jane continues to lead Housing Operations and I am sure there will be real service delivery benefits of integrating the work of both areas, particularly the Building Safety Works, Operations – Place and Environmental Services teams.
Housing Strategy and Options manages the councils Housing Register and allocation of our council homes, prevents and relieves homelessness and ensures there is a good mix of tenures and property types of households to access alternative housing option through our strategic partnerships. The Strategy team develops strategy and policy for the department, working with partners such as Registered Providers, developers and residents to develop real solutions for the boroughs housing needs.
David Padfield, who recently joined us as Interim Director of Housing Transformation has taken on temporary leadership of Housing Strategy and Options. He will work closely with the Housing Strategy and Options management team whilst an Interim, then permanent, Director of Housing Options is recruited. David brings over 30 years’ experience, having undertaken several Housing Director roles previously, both on a permanent and interim basis.
John Coker, Assistant Director - Housing Strategy, will report to David during this interim period and the Housing Systems team led by Idris Sadiq, Head of Housing Systems, will report to John during this time.
Housing Delivery consists of the Estate Regeneration and Client-side teams, who work with key partners to develop our affordable housing programmes.
Mark Crane will join us as our new Divisional Director of Housing Delivery on Monday 13 February. Meera Kumar, who has done an outstanding job in managing these teams, will return to her substantive role of Director of Housing Regeneration. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Meera for her excellent work leading the service over the past year and I look forward to working with Mark and Meera as they continue to drive forward the key priorities for the service.
I am also pleased to welcome Patrick Cooper, who has recently joined Housing Delivery as Project Director. Patrick will provide additional leadership to the delivery of the Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers project, the largest scheme in our Capital Works programme.
I know you are working incredibly hard, many in very challenging roles, and I understand some people find change difficult. Please do continue to support each other and remember the Employee Assistance Programme is available to all staff should you need information or advice on a variety of personal and workplace issues.
As mentioned, some of the arrangements above are interim and any permanent changes to staffing structures will, of course, be subject to the normal HR consultation processes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to your line manager, Head of Service or Divisional Director.
I know you will support colleagues in their expanded roles and please do give our new starters a warm welcome and introduce yourself when you have the opportunity.
Best wishes
Joe
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