Issue - meetings

To provide Cabinet with an update on progress made towards meeting the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, including revised consumer standards (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which provided an update on progress made towards meeting the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, including published consumer standards.

The Portfolio Holder – Strategic and Operational Housing presented the report.

On Monday 3 February 2025, South Holland District Council had been notified that a programmed inspection would take place between April and June 2025. It was anticipated that the Regulator would publish their findings (Regulatory judgement) in July 2025.

Being a landlord was both a privilege and a responsibility, and SHDC took these responsibilities seriously. The report updated Cabinet on progress towards meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards.

 Key items of activity during the last quarter included:

• An assessment against the consumer standards was set out in Appendix 1. Whilst there were a number of specific expectations that were partially met/not met, these items were included in the Transformation Programme with evidenced plans in place to deliver them. Officers did not consider there to be any material issues that related to non-compliance that were necessary to communicate to the Regulator of Social Housing. This piece of work would now be completed on an annual basis.
• Over 55% of stock condition surveys had now been completed with a separate report to follow on the findings and impact.
• Self-assessment completed against Grenfell Inquiry recommendations (and action plan adopted) as set out in Appendix 2.
• Tenant Satisfaction Measure results for 23/24 scrutinised by Performance Monitoring Panel with 25/26 surveys underway.
• Knowledge and Information Management Strategy and Tenancy Strategy adopted by Cabinet.
• Tenant Engagement Strategy scrutinised by Policy Development Panel, currently out for further consultation with tenants.
• Equality Impact Assessment completed regarding accessibility to the Landlord Service as set out in Appendix 3.

Over the last 12 months, officers had focussed on building the foundations necessary for the Council to meet the consumer standards. The Mandate update at Appendix 4 summarised the progress made and the focus for 25/26. (Note that this could change following the outcome of the inspection).

Cabinet was asked to note the work underway to align services with the new regulatory regime. Reports would continue to be brought to members on a quarterly basis.

Consideration was given to the report and the following issues were raised:

·       Anti-Social Behaviour and Domestic Violence were two areas amongst the standards detailed in Appendix A which reoccurred in many other committee reports. Was the Authority robust enough in its attempts to tackle these issues as they continued to impinge in many areas.