Ashfield council plans early takeover of Ashfield Homes

Controversial plans to bring the control of housing stock back into the hands of Ashfield District Council is planned to happen in September - six months earlier than planned.
NMAC10-2465-2

Kirkby Ashfield District Council OfficesNMAC10-2465-2

Kirkby Ashfield District Council Offices
NMAC10-2465-2 Kirkby Ashfield District Council Offices

The management agreement between Ashfield District Council and Ashfield Homes is planned to terminate on September 30 rather than the end of April 2017.

The recommendation was passed at a full meeting of the council on Thursday after councillors considered a request from the Board of Ashfield Homes Ltd to vary the notice period.

The board has announced that Ashfield Homes head of corporate services and the managing director will be leaving the company on September 30. in the event that the management agreement continues until October 31 authority will be delegated to the chief executive and leader the ability to agree interim management arrangements.

The decision is subject to the council being satisfied that the IT between the two organisations’ financial systems is fully functional.

In April this year, the authority resolved to terminate the management agreement with Ashfield Homes Ltd to take effect on April 30 2017, giving 12 months notice.

Council chiefs said it would be in the interests of the company, the council their employees and tenants.

Presenting the recommendation, Council leader councillor Cheryl Butler, said: “In ending the MA early it is intended that Ashfield Homes employees will transfer to the council at midnight on September 30 or October 31 in accordance with TUPE regulations .

“It is intended that the company will remain in place until March 31 2017 to allow the immediate focus to be on a smooth and successful transition for employees an ensure service provision before the focus switches on the necessary work to wind up the company.

she said ‘robust managment structures’ have been put in place to transfer the housing function back to the council.