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Speaker: John Lynn Organisation: Clays Lane Housing Co-op Website: Clays Lane Housing Co-op (CLHC) Intoduction I have been the chair of CLHC for the past 3 years. CLHC was built in 1977, costing £6 million and one of the biggest housing co-ops in Europe (450 members). CLHC is financially viable with an annual £ ¼ million surplus, and would be happy to make this available to the co-operative movement. CLHC tries to operate horizontally but there is a need for vertical management too (i.e. Management Committee to Member). Conflict with the Housing Corporation Money to set-up CLHC was provided from the government through grant and loan; this has recently led to a conflict (esp. in being a co-op). As CLHC is a Registered Social Landlord (RSL), the regulator requires certain standards from CLHC, which causes conflict with co-operative principles and issues of governance. Housing Corporation have recently tried to transfer the assets of CLHC to another RSL (i.e. Peabody Trust), after allegations of CLHC mismanagement. CLHC has opposed this ruling for the past 2 and a half years. Currently the case is in the High Court of Appeal. Olympic Bid 2012 Should London win the 2012 Olympic Bid, the Olympic village and stadiums will be situated in Stratford, around and on the site of CLHC. The Greater London Authority, Olympic Development, London Development Agency (LDA) have obtained planning approval for the regeneration of the Lower Lee Valley for the Olympic bid. This is perhaps why the CLHC has become a target for the Housing Corporation. Strategically, what is the way ahead? LDA has a Residential Relocation Strategy, although the planning approval allows for the demolition of CLHC, it does allow residents to return to the original CLHC site to 450 units of accommodation.	AUDIO
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