As I mentioned in May’s staff briefing, Mission Waltham Forest sets out the council’s bold new plan for more equal borough by 2030. It's comprised of six borough and four council missions. It is our commitment to residents to help tackle the fundamental challenges facing them, such as the housing crisis, reducing fear of crime and providing the outstanding experience residents deserve. It also outlines the drive forward and the changes needed within the council to achieve this.
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 One of the six borough missions is “Tackle the Housing crisis head on”. It focuses on:
- A sustained programme of housebuilding
- A new deal for private renters
- A preventative approach to homelessness and rough sleeping
- A new generation of climate-friendly homes
- A high standard of home for a good quality of life
Now we all know the Housing service challenges are big and complex, so within our Housing Department Service Plan for 2024 - 2025 we have adopted a mission-based approach which translates these challenges into ambitious but deliverable goals. I’d encourage you all to read the new Service Plan.
Finally, next month Joe Garrod, acting Strategic Director of Place, will be hosting a Place Directorate All Staff live meeting, the invite is due to go out shortly so please keep your eyes peeled for that.
Best wishes
Jane
Remember the General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024, so we're still in the 'pre-election period'.
Meaning there are additional restrictions placed on the Council’s publicity and events during this period. These restrictions are linked to the publicity of candidates, issues of significance or directly related to a political party and those involved in the elections.
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If you are in any doubt about any communication activity, please ask:
- a member of the Housing Leadership Team.
- Eddie Townsend, Director of Communications.
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Mark Hynes, Director of Governance and Law.
 Earlier this month the Housing Extended Leadership Team held a team planning session at The Good Shepherd Studios, Leytonstone. The agenda covered a strategic planning presentation focusing on Mission Waltham Forest plus our recent strategies – Housing and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, there was a Housing Transformation Programme update as well as workshops on silo working, investing in our staff development and and efficiency savings.
We are hosting our next Housing Staff Briefing on Wednesday 31 July. You'll be hearing about our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping strategy and preventative methods the team undertake.
Not got the invite? Please email Tara Walsh, Leadership Support Assistant, who'll forward it on.
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On Wednesday 17 July we'll be hosting the first Housing Compact Leadership Board since our new Compact has been approved.
Our new Waltham Forest Housing Compact 2024- 29 sets out how we’ll be working together with our Housing Association partners to provide high quality and genuinely affordable homes, which provide the essential foundation for residents to live a happy and healthy life.
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Over the last 12 months the Rents team has been working tirelessly to ensure all tenant rent payments are collected efficiently. Some of their other duties include rent arrears arrangements, assisting tenants with direct debits, and providing information about welfare benefits.
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Despite being in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis their recent figures are very impressive:
- Rent arrears are down 17% on this time last year.
- Arrears for Universal Credit (UC) are down by 28% even though there’s been a 19% increase in UC cases.
- Non-Universal Credit debt is also down by 13%.
- We are performing exceptionally well against our London Authority peers – the upper quartile average arrears is 4.13% or less and we are 2.78%.
Well done to the Rents team – this is brilliant work!
The Housing Digital Programme team is working with teams across the service and the Customer Resolution Centre (CRC) on a new project called NEC Transform. This project aims to establish a single place on NEC Housing for capturing all resident conversations to ensure every resident interaction is recorded.
Records logged on NEC Housing will help improve the resident experience, as all staff will have visibility of any previous resident enquiries, making it more efficient plus it prevents residents repeating themselves and feeling frustrated as we’ll be able to see all their previous notes. Currently, there’s a reliance on ad hoc methods such as notepads and emails, which can result in delayed or lost contacts, leading to repeated resident calls and complaints about communication failures.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the project so far. Once testing is complete, staff training will be rolled out across the Housing service, with the aim of going live in August. If you have any further questions, please contact Mark Rogers, Programme Manager.
Click on the image to visit the Viva Engage site
All NEC Housing users have been auto enrolled to ensure you do not miss out. We are still at the early stages of the site however it’s an opportunity for you to raise any queries, post hints and tips on anything related to NEC Housing systems.
The Housing Systems team will be using this platform to keep you informed of system updates, training materials and respond to any queries you may have. Have a look at the site so you become familiar with it!
We are looking for Housing colleagues to join our group of Domestic Abuse (DA) leads.
DA leads provide support and guidance to colleagues working with cases of domestic abuse and to help raise awareness in their service areas. The group receives additional and enhanced training and meets monthly to share learning, best practice, and to discuss ongoing work.
If you would like to find out more or are interested in joining, please email Mietta Barling, Domestic Abuse Service Improvement Officer.
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Earlier this month our Positive Places project at Hilltop, Walthamstow was completed. Residents worked with Sharon Louison, Project Manager, in the Place team to make the communal garden a more inviting space to enjoy.
The project included putting up new washing lines, new fencing and gates to secure the garden, plus a new seating area was created – ready for those summer nights! While the team was onsite, they also repaired the pram sheds. These sheds were old and tired but they are now fit for purpose and useful spaces to help residents with their storage needs.
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Our Engagement team has been working hard with the service teams to keep residents up to date around the borough. Over the last few weeks teams have been working on:
Meet Josie, our Resident Influence and Accountability Panel Resident Chair
Earlier this month the Housing Senior Leadership Team (HSLT) welcomed our new starters to the fourth face-to-face induction session, it covered:
- Waltham Forest Council – our Directorate and Cabinet Members
- Our Housing service – HSLT structure, service areas and our key priorities.
- Wellbeing – including information on our values, how to find employee support, staff benefits and groups to join.
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The next face-to-face staff induction in Cedar Wood House will be held in September. If you are a new starter or have a new starter joining your team, please email Tara Walsh and she'll add them to the invite list.
 Kicking off summer, the Housing service entered the staff unofficial 5-a-side football league. Games take place from 6pm every Thursday at Goals Chingford, 3 Morrison Ave, London E4 8SN.
So far, they've played three games and are joint second in the league. The tournament will continue over the summer so, if you fancy cheering on the team then pop on down and show your support - everyone's welcome, we are keen to make this a fun and inclusive activity for all!
LBWF Housing team are: Reuben Maynard (C), Steven Rebello, Leon McLaughlin, Luke Barrow, Joel Prospere, Juan Ahmad, Damien Nembhard, Luke Kirwan-Lewis, Farhan Khan and Dean Bannis.
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First name
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Last name
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Position
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Service
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Chan
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Sanghera
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NEC System Analyst
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Housing Strategy and Systems
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Philip
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Bell
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Interim Head of Building Works- Assets
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Housing Management and Assets
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Alex
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McNally
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Senior Project Manager
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Housing Management and Assets
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Rikpal
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Panesar
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Project Manager Assets
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Housing Management and Assets
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This summer the council will be hosting a range of free and low-cost activities for residents. Enjoy the discover your summer programme at Fellowship Square. It brings together events and activities throughout the summer for everyone to enjoy! |
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Remember to try and plan ahead, take regular breaks and don't leave taking your annual leave to the last minute.
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