Leathermarket JMB to continue to run 1,500 SE1 homes for 5 years

92 per cent of tenants and leaseholders voted in favour of the locally controlled JMB continuing to carry out functions that would otherwise be performed by the council. The turnout was 68.3 per cent.

"I'm sure there's a lot Southwark Council could learn from Leathermarket JMB," said Cllr Ian Wingfield, deputy council leader and cabinet member for housing management, as he announced the results of the ballot on Tuesday.

The JMB collects rents, carries out repairs and maintenance, provides advice and information, arranges cleaning, gardening and bulk refuse collections.

Tenant management organisations like Leathermarket JMB are obliged to ballot their members every five years to ask whether the arrangement should continue or management be returned to the local authority.

JMB chair John Paul Maytum added: "Fifteen years ago a group of people had a dream that they could get the housing services they deserved by standing together, working with staff and fellow residents.

"I'm delighted to say that dream – and the hard work of many other people past and present has been reconfirmed by this vote. The hard work starts again now."

The area covered by the JMB includes the Kipling Estate, Elim Estate, Meakin Estate, Lawson Estate, Decima Street, Crosby Estate, Meakin Estate and Lockyer Estate.