Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet recommends to Council that they approve the resources the Housing Service has requested, as part of the 23/24 HRA budget to deal with the changes and improvements requires under the Social Housing Regulation Bill, the new Tenant Satisfaction Measures regime the new Social Housing Residents Charter.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Housing and Homelessness Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report on the new housing improvement regime, starting in Spring 2023. He summarised the resources that are required to meet the fundamental new requirements placed upon the Council. Members heard that the Council’s Executive Management Team (EMT) had endorsed the need for these extra resources and that it is recommended they form part of the 23/24 budget.

The Cabinet acknowledged that the new regime features several key measures that aim to improve the standards of social housing in the District. It was noted that the Council had made significant improvements and investment across the Housing Service and that more would be done to enable the Council to respond appropriately to the wide-ranging new duties.

Statutory compliance and housing quality, gas and electrical compliance, structural/disrepair work, damp and mould and anti-social behaviour were among the examples listed as areas where new resources are required.

Cabinet were reassured that the 22 new tenant satisfaction measures would be sufficiently covered and that this would not be to the detriment of other areas of concern, such as insulation, greener housing and electrical standards.

The Cabinet were pleased to hear from a Ward Member that the housing service had efficiently resolved issues of damp and mould arising at homes in their Ward. The Service Manager – Housing Options, Rents, Support and Private Sector Housing explained that was exemplary of the ongoing work that the housing team undertake and reassured Cabinet that the strong levels of engagement with tenants would continue to improve. He informed members that the new Tenant Engagement Manager would oversee the outreach to all areas of the District.

Members expressed their support for the recommendation.