Since your introduction of the estate regeneration balloting scheme; how successful has the scheme been in giving social housing tenants and resident leaseholders a say in the future of their homes?

I am proud of this pioneering policy around estate regeneration, which has been in place for three years almost to the day. For residents of estates earmarked for regeneration, it has ensured they have a final say in plans for the future of their homes. Estate regeneration has a valuable part to play in improving existing homes, delivering much-needed new ones and improving neighbourhoods, but I am clear residents must be at the heart of plans. Before becoming Mayor, I had seen too many schemes where residents felt landlords had not genuinely sought and taken on board their views. That is why, as Mayor, I developed first a good practice guide for estate regeneration and then my ballot requirement.

We have seen ten positive results so far, in most cases with large majorities in favour, with high turnouts, which provides a strong indication that housing associations and councils are doing exactly the right thing. In one case where residents originally rejected plans, the housing associations are engaging with the residents to understand how their offer needs to change to address some of the concerns that they have. I accept estate regeneration schemes are often complex, taking years to complete, but I am confident we are already seeing regeneration schemes that deliver real benefits for local residents.

Thank you. It is really good to hear that almost all of the ballots since you introduced the policy as a condition for funding have been successful and have been supported by the tenants of those estates for demolition and rebuild. The ballots that need to take place, as I say, they make sure that those schemes are funded by GLA. Are you looking to spread this best practice to feature developments that do not access GLA funding? Do you think the Government should encourage estate ballots also?

I am conscious of the limited powers I have got. One of the things we can do is use the lever of funding to require the ballots. The good news is that you have got some others who are using that as best practice. Lewisham Council, for example, is balloting its residents before it does any regeneration projects, even on schemes we do not fund, which is a great thing to do. It shows the best practice being used. We are speaking to councils, housing associations and landlords. We realise we do not have the powers to make them do this because they do not need our funding, but it is saying, “Look, this works, and you are turning your residents into active citizens, which must be good for everybody”. We are hoping that best practice will spread. We are also sharing our experience of the ballots, which has been a positive one, with the Government.

Thank you.