Issue - meetings

To inform Cabinet of the updated findings of housing stock condition surveys (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which provided the Cabinet with updated findings of housing stock condition surveys.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

• Access had been gained to over 3,000 properties, which equated to 87.7% coverage across the district.
• The surveys assessed the lifespan of major components, identified hazards within properties and updated Energy Performance Certificates where appropriate.
• With over 80% of housing stock surveyed, this provided sufficient data to begin the production of the 30 year business plan and development of the five year asset management strategy.

Members considered the report and raised the following points:

• Members commented that a reasonably low percentage of stock had been surveyed in Holbeach compared to other areas and asked whether this could be an area of focus.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing responded that the focus as a whole was on getting into as many properties as possible, regardless of where they were in the district. There had been additional challenges within that particular area but a wave of additional contact with residents at properties not yet surveyed was currently being undertaken.
  • She added that the figures had significantly improved from those listed in the report which had been taken at the end of August.
  • She also noted that all sheltered housing properties had now been surveyed, with the help of the Independent Living team.
• Members commented that a significant discussion had been had at PMP, particularly in regard to the reoccurrence of damp and mould problems, but they had been reassured that officers were working hard to ensure this was limited.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing commented that no damp and mould case would be completed closed until a six-month assessment had been completed to help prevent reoccurrence.
  • The Housing Property and Repairs Manager added that there was currently a very small number of properties, in single figures, that had to be revisited for a damp and mould case.
• The Leader queried whether it was older houses in particular that had a problem with damp and mould.
  • The Housing Property and Repairs Manager responded that data analysis was currently being undertaken on the whole housing stick to determine themes of property age and type. Early indication had shown that there wasn’t a particular age range for damp and mould issues.
• Members questioned whether there was a common reason for not being able to access a property.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing advised that there were no themes, but appointments were now being offered at different times of the day to assist with this.
  • She added that there had been nervousness among sheltered housing tenants, but the Independent Living team had assisted with this.

DECISION:

That the progress on stock condition surveys be received.

(Other options considered

• Do nothing.  To not consider information presented regarding the stock condition survey findings. This option is not recommended.

Reason  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50

To report on the updated findings of housing stock condition surveys (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which reported on the updated findings of housing stock condition surveys.

The Housing Property and Repairs Manager introduced the report and summarised the following main points:

• The report provided an update following the initial presentation to the Panel in March 2025;
• Survey access rate had reached 85%, with a target of 90%+ by the end of October 2025;
• Data gathered was being used to inform the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan;
• Officers were assessing how to manage the remaining properties not yet surveyed;
• Findings included energy performance ratings and identification of damp and mould cases; and
• External consultants were supporting the work, and additional resources had been secured to maintain progress.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

·         Members asked whether the service was confident that it would reach 100% survey completion by the end of October 2025.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager responded while 100% completion was ambitious, the service was realistically aiming for 90%+, with additional resources being sought to support surveyor capacity in November.

·         Members noted the energy performance ratings and were reassured that many properties were rated A, B or C.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager confirmed that the latest round of grant funding would target 615 properties over the next two years to further improve ratings.

·         Members queried whether any damp and mould cases had regressed.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager responded that damp and mould cases received a six-monthly follow-up call after the repairs to assess whether the issue continued to be resolved. From around 160 cases, 10 had been reopened for further investigation.

·         Members queried whether external insulation was part of the remedial work.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager responded that this was not the case. Whilst damp and mould remediation work could involve external damp course or repointing repairs, the focus was more on internal repairs, ventilation and heating. 

·         Members queried the performance of the external consultants.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager confirmed that the consultants were providing sufficient data to build a robust business plan.

·         Members queried whether local government reorganisation (LGR) would affect the programme.

o   The Housing Property and Repairs Manager responded that the service was continuing as planned and that work was not being delayed due to LGR.

·         Members noted the additional resources approved earlier in the year, as recommended by the Performance Monitoring Panel, which had enabled the service to stay on target. Members agreed that a further recommendation to Cabinet be added regarding the continuation of necessary resources to ensure that performance targets were met.

Agreed:

1)    That the work underway to survey all residential council homes and associated assets be noted; and

2)    That, following the implementation of additional resources, the benefits and progress achieved be noted; and that Cabinet be requested to continue the implementation of the necessary resources to ensure that performance targets were me