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Sutton tenants go knocking on No 10’s door
Sutton tenants marched on No 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition demanding a fairer deal for council tenants.
The delegation led by Jean Crossby and members of the Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (SFTRA) were joined by councillors and local MP's Tom Brake and Paul Burstow.
The petition opposes the £10million housing subsidy that the government have ‘snatched back’ from Sutton tenants. This equates to £1,473 per year from every tenant being redistributed to subsidise housing in other parts of the country. This will effectively result in a ‘hidden tax’ on the borough's 6,670 housing tenants.
Jean Crossby, chair of SFTRA commented: “This petition clearly demonstrates the commitment of Sutton’s tenants to challenge the unfairness of the government’s housing subsidy.
“Sutton’s council properties desperately need improvement and are the second highest Non Decent Homes in London.
“The £10m that is taken by the government every year could be better spent to help bring the council’s housing stock up to the Decent Homes standard.”
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Downing St Petition demands fairer deal for Sutton tenants
On Wednesday 5th March at 1pm residents of Sutton will be marching on
10 Downing Street to oppose the £10 million housing subsidy that the government are imposing on Sutton tenants.
They are supported by a coalition of councillors from across the council,
Jean Crossby, chair of the Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations and Tom Brake MP. Executive Member for Adult Social Services and Housing, Cllr Colin Stears will be presenting a petition on behalf of Sutton residents and all other tenants across London.
The petition is challenging the government over both its inadequate government grant and negative housing subsidy for 2008/09, which will effectively result in a stealth tax on the borough's 6,670 housing tenants.
Tenants in Sutton will be expected to repay to the government an extra £300 in 2008/09 from the additional rent they are paying.
It has been estimated that of the £76 average rent in Sutton, £28 will be passed back to the government. This equates to £1,484 per year from every tenant that is redistributed to subsidise housing in other parts of the country.
The delegation from Sutton will be demanding the government rethink Sutton's minimum formula grant increase of 2% in the next year -- in cash terms, just £1m more, well below inflation and representing a real cut in resources. Sutton receives the seventh lowest grant per head, just £286 compared to other London boroughs with Hammersmith and Fulham receiving more than double at £665. The average for outer London boroughs is £389 per head.
Jean Crossby commented: "This inflated rent increase of 5.8% is in effect a hidden tax on council tenants, who are among the least well off members of the local community. They will not be seeing any benefits from paying this extra rent.
"As a representative of SFTRA and a tenant myself, I welcome the opportunity to join forces with our councillors and local MPs to challenge the minister and
ask why Sutton tenants' rent is being used by central government to subsidise and improve council housing elsewhere in the country, when our own council properties are failing the Decent Homes standard and desperately need improvement." |
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Positive about disabled people
Sutton Housing Partnership is delighted to have been awarded the "positive about disabled people" symbol, in recognition of their commitment to remove the barriers that can disadvantage people. The Disability Symbol of two ticks has been awarded by the government agency Jobcentre Plus. Sutton Housing Partnership have embraced the spirit of the two ticks initiative and its five commitments, one of which is to guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum job criteria.
Chief Executive, Peter Dolan commented: “We are pleased and proud that Sutton Housing Partnership have been awarded the Disability Symbol. I am committed to ensuring that we create a great working environment for disabled people and that we help them to fulfil their potential. Sutton Housing Partnership have a strong relationship with the local Mencap Pathway organisation and through them have been able to offer more opportunities for new employees at Sutton Housing Partnership.”
For more information, contact our Human Resources team on Freephone 0800 195 5552 or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk |
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Help to Keep Us on Our Toes
No one knows the area and its housing like you and we think that the best way for us to deliver and keep on improving the excellent services you want, is for residents like you to keep us on our toes!
That’s why we have are putting together a team of eagle eyed “resident repair inspectors” to check how communal repairs are being carried out and suggest how we can improve on things.
So, if you would like to be a resident repairs inspector why not contact us online at customerinvolvement@suttonhousingpartnership.org.uk or telephone Alexa Loukas on Freephone 0800 195 5552. |
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Sutton Court’s new Residents’ Panel
The residents of Sutton Court have recently formed a Residents’ Panel. Residents’ Associations and Residents’ Panels are a great way to give your estate a voice. They also provide a chance for you to let Sutton Housing Partnership know your views and what issues affect the neighbourhood you live in.
If you are interested in setting up an Association or a Panel for your estate then please call the customer involvement team on Freephone 0800 195 5552 or email customerinvolvement@suttonhousingpartnership.org.uk |
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Coffee Mornings – Catch up with a Coffee!
We hold regular coffee mornings for our residents, giving you a chance to get together for a coffee and catch up with your neighbours. Come along for a chat with your neighbourhood manager and find out what’s going on in and around your area.
Our next coffee morning will be held on the 12th March 2008 at 10.30am at the Dukes Head public house function room. So, if you are resident of Alcester Court, Brabrook Court, Friars Court, Maldon Court or Wentworth Court, then call the customer involvement team on Freephone 0800 195 5552 to book your place. |
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Forget the Sales - Come and shop with us!!
Sutton Housing Partnership are currently looking for eager new shoppers for their ‘Mystery Shopping Round Three’ initiative.
Mystery shopping is a fantastic way to test the services we provide for you, our customers. Our shoppers work to clear guidelines designed to help them “look behind the scenes”.
All of our Mystery Shoppers will receive free training and reimbursement for telephone usage. Those who fully complete the programme will receive £25 worth of vouchers to use in designated High Street stores.
Our next training session will take place on 23 February, for more information please call Sally-Anne Yeats on Freephone 0800 195 5552. |
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Delegation urges Minister to rethink Sutton’s raw deal
Sutton Council has challenged the government over both its inadequate government grant and negative housing subsidy for 2008/09 which will result in a stealth tax on the borough's 6,670 housing tenants.
A delegation of Sutton leaders met Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Parmjit Dhanda on Monday to make powerful protests that Sutton's residents and tenants were being made to bear the brunt of the borough's poor grant and housing settlement.
Jean Crossby, chair of the Sutton Federation of Tenant and Leaseholders Association, joined Sutton Council leader Sean Brennan, Chief Executive Paul Martin and MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake to state their case to the Minister for Sutton's grant and housing settlements to be reconsidered. (Read MORE here about how this could affect you). |
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