Stephen Hammond MP addresses AGM

Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was guest speaker at our 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine in Limehouse on 30 September.

THe AGM was a chance for THCH to carry out a comprehensive review of the work carried out over the last 12 months, to consider and adopt company accounts, to publish our Annual Report (delivered to all residents in October) and to re-elect John Lau and Roger Booth as Board Directors.

Highlights of the last 12 months include:

• Opened the Tarling East Community Centre
• Built 22 energy efficient homes for rent in Bethnal Green
• Won national recognition for the Claredale scheme
• Carried out over 10,000 repairs
• Ensured all homes reached 'Decent Homes Standard'
• Improved 'overall satisfaction' to 83%

Guests at the AGM included prominent figures in housing from across East London together with local Councillors: Carlo Gibbs, Kabir Ahmed, Sirajul Islam, Tim Archer, Gloria Thienel and Alibor Choudhury heard from THCH Chair, John Lau and THCH Chief Executive, Mike Tyrrell before guest speaker, Stephen Hammond, addressed the audience.

Mr Hammond spoke about the challenging times ahead and how the coalition Government intended to tackle the supply of social housing.  Mr Hammond said "We plan to shift control over house building from central Government to local Authorities and to local communities".

Mr Hammond added "We will aim to place the decidion making controls in the hands of local people, so they can determine the wishes of their community".

Mr Hammond also spoke about the need to consider 'homes for life' and said a discussion was taking place about how best to tackle this issue.

The meeting closed with Mr Hammond taking part in a question and answer session with attendees.

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