Town and Country Housing Association

Town and Country Housing Association (TCHA) features three times in this week's edition of The Courier.


I declare an interest. I was a member of the board of High Weald Housing Association (as TCHA was known then) in the 1990's as a nominee of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. It was during this time that the association acquired former army properties in Dover.

The first story concerns the future of the Age Concern building in Tunbridge Wells. Two issues are conflated in this story: the continuation of revenue funding by local authorities and the future of the premises in Wood Street. The article suggests that the future of the Age Concern premises rests with TCHA and it finding an appropriate building for Age Concern to continue its operations. The building is owned by TWBC, but its future is tied in with plans by TCHA to sell adjacent properties. Is all this something to do with land assembly? What is the role of the development company jointly owned by TWBC and Laing? My advice to Age Concern is to sit tight. It has seven years to run on its lease.

The second story is about TCHA securing an agreement with Skinners' Kent Academy to ask prying personal questions to pupils through a questionnaire prepared by the association and disseminated by the academy. It took the intervention of a county councillor to stop this nonsense. As a borough councillor stated, what were TCHA going to do with the information?

The third story relates to a matter I have discussed on this blog previously. TCHA is preparing major plans for Sherwood which it is understood will include building on allotments and green spaces, demolishing homes and a new road. Documents had been given by TCHA to the Council and in particular to borough councillors for Sherwood on a confidential basis. Two of the councillors then proceeded to publicise the proposals through leaflets distributed to residents.

The two councillors have been hauled in front of TWBC's Chief Executive and in the words of one councillor slapped on the wrists.

Now, here we are in the brave new world of localism, citizen engagement and civic participation. But what does the Chief Executive have to say? According to The Courier, the following:

The Sherwood Vision is still a work in progress and subject to discussions between Town and County Housing Association and the Borough Council. It would be inappropriate to consult on proposals before they are finalised or to comment on them.

Frankly, this is Grade A bullshit. The Sherwood Vision is about major regeneration of the estate. Many residents on the estate are not tenants of TCHA, but are owner-occupiers. They have every right to know what is being dreamt up by the cosy housing association/council relationship.

A few years ago I was critical of the way Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was approaching its responsibility to produce a community strategy/plan for Tunbridge Wells. For my troubles I became chair of an independent group which developed the community plan.

The DETR guidance on community plans stated:

If community strategies are to respond to public concerns, there needs to be genuine engagement with the beginning of the process. It is important that community planning allows communities to be fully involved in establishing both the long-term vision and the shorter term priorities for action. It would not be enough simply to consult communities on a range of options determined by the authority and its partner organisations. Attention should be given at an early stage to ensuring all sections of the community have the opportunity to participate. (The emphasis is mine.)

Sound guidance then which is just as pertinent and relevant today when participation, engagement and localism are the new ways of conducting affairs.

Shh...don't tell anyone: it's a secret!

According to the local press, Town & Country Housing Association has major plans for the Sherwood estate in Tunbridge Wells. The plans provide for demolition of flats, new build on allotments and green spaces and a new road.

I am sure it is all very commendable. The problem is that the plans have been developed in secret and have only partly come into the public domain as a result of details being 'leaked' by councillors to residents. Apparently councillors who have copies of the plans were sworn to secrecy.

We are told by central government that there is to be 'localism' and 'community engagement', yet in this instance the last people to know about the plans are local residents! When the Labour government introduced community plans the guidance was that it was no good simply producing a plan for comment. People had to be engaged in the preparation of the plan. It is a pity Town & Country did not consult at an earlier stage, then there would have been no need for 'leaks'.

The proposals should have a positive impact, but it has to be understood that many residents on the Sherwood estate are not tenants of the housing association. Worries and concerns will have been raised by the press report. The housing association should take residents into their confidence at all stages in the process, not hide behind secret documents, however laudable the plans or the intentions behind the secrecy.

Is there an election soon!

Today's Tunbridge Wells Courier carries a story about the Labour candidate for Tunbridge Wells. Apparently Gary Heather has organised a public meeting to discuss the future of the Ramslye estate and has invited the Borough Council and Town & Country Housing Association to give residents an update and listen to their concerns about vacant shops and anti-social behaviour.

Isn't it amazing that this is happening now?

People with long memories will remember the Liberal Dozycrat candidate, Laura Murphy bringing residents of Showfields and Ramslye together just before the 2005 general election to discuss issues with the police, housing association and council with a view to setting up a residents' association.

I don't recall seeing much of Laura Murphy in Showfields after the 2005 election. Will Gary Heather repeat history and lose interest after the election in the concerns of the people of Ramslye?

The cynic in me tells me that this sort of intervention does more harm than good and wastes the time of people who are engaged in long term efforts to improve communities and neighbourhoods

Not before time!!

So, Town & Country Housing Association has finally got round to doing something about the housing stock in Sherwood. Not before time. I suggested as long back as 1997 - yes, thirteen years ago, that the blocks of flats should be demolished and new houses should have tenures/ownership which would produce a better social mix.

In Stanhope, Ashford a programme is nearing completion to demolish flats, refurbish houses, improve paths/landscape and new build some of which will be for sale.

Next stop Showfields?

BLISS, perfect BLISS

BLISS is the Better Living in Southborough Society. It started as a pressure group to persuade a housing association to move tenants who were causing misery to people living in a wide area. When the tenants were moved it was bliss!

Since then BLISS has gone from strength to strength. Recently it has taken over a shop, refurbished it and re-opened as a cafe and drop-in centre. Upstairs there are meeting rooms.

The premises are open all day Monday-Saturday and as need dictates evenings as well. You can find the premises on London Road, Southborough near to the London Road/Yew Tree Road junction.

BLISS is a small community group and is to be congratulated on its vision and perseverance to bring into being a much needed community resource.

Housing Associations: Influence for good?

The National Housing Federation's Neighbourhood Audit can be found on the Federation's website:

The audit revealed that housing associations deliver more than 6,800 identifiable projects, many with a plethora of different activities, and hundreds of neighbourhood facilties like community centres, sports facilities and others, which contribute to the economic, environmental and social stability of our neighbourhoods.

The audit also identified that housing associations annually invest at least £435 million in this work, made up of £272 million of their own funds and an additional £163 million form other sources. This work benefits the equivalent of around one in ten of the population.


BUT....housing associations are basically private companies and come under no direct democratic control. Tenants don't get a look in in any significant way. Also, housing associations support residents groups which are reliant on the associations for their sustainability. The groups are not independent. In fact, they become part of the control mechanism of the associations.

What is needed is far greater support for housing co-operatives and mutuals which puts tenants at the centre of decision making.