Issue - meetings

Recommendations

1)    That Executive approve adoption of the Housing Improvement Plan (Appendix B)

2)    That Executive approve the draft Housing Improvement Strategy (Appendix C) to move forward to consultation with tenants and delegate approving adoption of the strategy to the Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development providing an update on progress made toward compliance with the requirements of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.  Following the C3 Regulatory Judgement issued by the Regulator for Social Housing, the Housing Improvement Plan was presented for adoption.  The draft Housing Improvement Strategy was also presented for approval for consultation.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, introduced the report, referring to the council’s responsibilities as a social landlord responsible for nearly 8,500 homes.  As a social landlord the council was currently non-compliant with the legal requirements of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.  The council had referred itself to the Regulator for Social Housing due to concerns about the lack of data and aspects of health and safety requirements and was subject to a formal C3 grading meaning that significant improvements were required.

Significant work had already taken place to ensure compliance with the regulations including setting up a Housing Improvement Board, reinvigorating tenancy panels, work with Overview and Scrutiny and the development of new policies.  A Housing Improvement Plan had been developed, which Executive were asked to adopt, with delivery supported by £2m from the Housing Revenue Account. 

The Corporate Director Community Development confirmed that prioritisation of works would take place through monitoring complaints, proactive surveys of stock targeting those with known issues and looking at resident data indicating which might be at higher risk.  A viability tool would be used to look at the cost benefits of investing in a property and would highlight where demolition and rebuild may be more viable.

Resolved (unanimously) – that

1)    the Housing Improvement Plan (Appendix B) be adopted

2)    the draft Housing Improvement Strategy (Appendix C) be approved to move forward to consultation with tenants and approval of adoption of the strategy be delegated to the Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing.