A letter to the TMO

Some of us have been worried about this forthcoming AGM. So we put our heads together, and as a result, the following letter was delivered today 2 October 2017 at the TMO office at 346 High St Kensington, for the attention of the Chief Exec:

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Motion to postpone voting  on Ordinary Resolution 5 and Special Resolution 6 pending Consultation with Members & residents.

We are  gravely  concerned  about  the  lack  of information made  available  to, and consultation with  Members  and Residents as regards  the justification for and consequences of Resolution 5 and Special Resolution 6.

These  proposals   potentially  constitute  a  violation   of  statutory  duties   to consult  on matters relating  to the management of housing.  They also appear to  be an attempt to  circumvent the  correct  procedure  as designated  in  the Modular  Management Agreement  which  council  should  follow  if  it wishes  to terminate the agreement. The termination procedure  contains  clear steps for the council to follow in addition  to significant periods  of consultation.

The letter provided to Members dated 22 September 2017 contains misleading information in respect  of the consequences  of not  passing  these resolutions. The council  cannot,  as is suggested,  simply  cease to  fund  the TMO causing its insolvency.  There will not be, as is suggested, wholesale loss of services and jobs, the latter  of which will be protected by the provisions  of TUPE. This  letter  is  therefore extremely misleading, and  may  in  fact  veer into  the realm of misinformation.

All should  be aware that  these Resolutions as currently proposed  could have very  drastic  consequences  for  the  future   of  the  management of  the  Royal Borough  of  Kensington  & Chelsea's  housing  stock.  On  a  prima  facie  view they  appear to surrender the Residents' stake in future  decision-making and provide  for a complete  hand-over of control  to the Council. Given the current Council's  less  than  unblemished involvement  in  the  events  leading  to  the Grenfell  Tower disaster, we have  no faith  that  they  are  the  best  agents  to represent the interests of the Residents at this time, without  any oversight.

This  decision  is  a  momentous one  and  simply  cannot  be  rushed  through without Members   and   Residents   having   the   opportunity  to   be  further informed, with a view to seeking independent advice on the consequences of such a motion. It is also vital  that  Members  and  Residents have  a genuine opportunity to look into potential alternatives to the proposals in these Resolutions.

We do agree that  the functions  of the TMO must  be systematically reviewed. If it is the case that  the TMO comes to an end, it is essential that  this is done following  correct  procedure, and at a time  when an acceptable  proposal  for the  ongoing   management  of  RBKC's housing  stock  is  in  place.  We firmly believe  that  the continued participation of the  Residents in an oversight role in  the  TMO is  necessary   and  proportionate in  the  circumstances. In  any event,    no   decision   relinquishing  this   participation  and   thus   drastically altering  the   management  structure  of  the   TMO  can   be  on   such   little information and with  no consultation.

We therefore urge  all  present   to  vote  against   Ordinary   Resolution   5  and Special  Resolution  6, and  to  instead  support  a  postponement of  decision­ making    in   respect   of   the   future    structure  of   the   TMO   until    proper consultation has occurred.
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It is hoped that this motion will gather maximum support at the AGM.