Annual report – 2016
1.1 The past year has been a busy period for the Co-op both for staff and the Committee members. This report highlights some of the key actions and activities that have been completed during 2016
2 Responsive Maintenance
During the year routine maintenance works has been carried out as required and with good response times.
3 Heating
3.1 Gas Servicing
A centralised spreadsheet has been created and is being regularly updated to monitor the gas servicing and gas cooker servicing. Ekarro has also employed Corgi Consultants as a gas auditing consultant to advise the DOH and Committee on the standard of gas installation
4 Planned Maintenance
4. 1 Boiler replacement programme
Over the course of 2016 five domestic boilers were renewed in Ekarro properties
4.2 Communal lights – Ekarro House
The communal lights in Ekarro house were changed in January 2016 from standard lights to LED lights. These are both more energy efficient and have a longer life span
4.3 Pumps
Due to water pressure issues three pumps were installed in properties within Ekarro house
5 Health and Safety works
5.1 Heat and smoke detectors- Barnabas lodge
As recommend within the fire risk assessment – heat and smoke detectors were installed in the properties in Barnabas house in February 2016 `
Cleaning
Over the course of the year staff have completed several cleaning inspections and have highlighted areas of concern to the cleaning company
6.2 Laundry
The use of the machines moved in 2015 from tokens to a coin machines which makes them more accessible for members in the evenings and week weekends.
7 CHICs
Members of the Brockley Housing Co-op came down to Ekarro to view how the staff are using the Chics-10 as Brockley Co-op are hoping to shortly move on to
Chics-10
8 Brockley Housing Co-op
Ekarro staff are working more closely with Brockley Housing Co-op for example one members of Brockley housing co-op sits on the Ekarro Allocation panel. We are also sharing information and advice
9 Housing Management
As noted on Chics in April 2016, the Co-op arrears stood at £54,797 and as at 30th November 2016 they have reduced too £47,804. the total reduction being £6988 or a fall of 12.75 % During the arrears day on Thursdays the staff are making weekly contact with residents to update them on their rent arrears and to agree repayment plans. NTQ are being served and court applications are now made when required.
9.2 Legal
During 2016 the following legal actions were taken:
- six NTQ were issues,
- seven cases were referred to Lambeth Country Court
- 3 were adjourned with liberty to restore
- four suspended possession orders were obtained
This is apart from the letter; phone calls and office interview the staff conducted
9.4 Voids
Ekarro had 2 void properties during 2016 and all have had void works completed and have been successfully allocated and let during the year.
10 Memberships
Ekarro is both a member of Co-op UK and the small HA group- G320 and the DOH attends the quarterly 320 meetings
11 Sub Committees
The Management Committee, Finance and Maintenance Committee met regular throughout the year along with the Employment Committee
12 Policy Review
A policy review has commenced during 2015. During 2016 The Allocations subcommittee have reviewed the allocations policy however further work is required to complete the policy
13 Office
For health and safety and lone working requirements a new office reception desk was installed in February 2016
14 Staffing
The Finance Officer left January 2016 and from February 2016 Vickie Nalukenge has acted as the Finance Officer on a part time basis and the remainder of her time she has worked as the Admin officer.
15 Volunteer
During 2016 three Volunteers from Southbank University have been recruited and worked along with the staff team on areas such as estate inspection, low arrears cases, repairs, reception service. With the experience, they have gained and with the training of the staff two have gone on to gain full time roles within the housing sector. We will be seeking new volunteers for 2017
16 Future areas of work for 2017
16.1 Bathroom replacement programme
A Bathroom Committee has been formed during 2016 and are working along with a Consultant to commence a roiling programme of bathroom replacements starting in 2017
17 Working with consultants
The DOH has commenced working with the Consultant who is advising on several new areas of work: the Ekarro roof -as we have several leaks, renewals of some communal windows in Barnabas house which is being queried with Lambeth to confirm if it is a correctly noted as a listed building. The communal back doors to several properties will require renewal during 2017
18 Website
The DOH along worked with one of the volunteers and has been populating a website created by the IT consultant. It is hope that the website will be realised in early 2017
18 Board Training
A board skills audit was commenced in 2016 and the chair is reviewing the possibility of doing the CCH accreditation for Co-op during the coming year