Issue - meetings

To consider the adoption of the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2025/26 (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which considered the adoption of the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2025/26

The Housing Transformation Manager (HRA) introduced the revised Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2025/26, highlighting the following points:

• The updated version reflected improvements in governance practices that had matured through embedded procedures and ongoing review.
• Key enhancements included:
  • Clearer roles and responsibilities for senior officers.
  • Strengthened Member scrutiny.
  • Improved transparency around performance, risk, and financial management.
• The framework outlined the function of several governance groups, including the Housing Compliance Clinic, Housing Landlord Services Board, and Complaints Working Group, which collectively provided oversight across compliance, complaints, transformation, and capital investment.
• It was proposed that the Housing Governance Clinic be disbanded, with its responsibilities redistributed to existing groups.

• A new Capital Programme Clinic would be established to monitor housing investment delivery, with the potential to influence decisions around sustainable building design, energy-efficient retrofits, and low-carbon materials in capital projects.

Members considered the report and made the following comments;

• Members welcomed the revised framework and praised its clarity and structure.

• Members described the document as “very colourful and thorough,” noting that it was easy to follow and well laid out.
• Members commented on the level of detail and appreciated the inclusion of governance group functions, which helped clarify oversight responsibilities.
• Members highlighted Appendix D as particularly useful, describing it as “clear and simple to read,” and helpful for understanding how the governance structure operated in practice.

There was general agreement that the proposed changes would improve operational efficiency and ensure that governance arrangements remained fit for purpose.

AGREED:

a)    That the recommendation to Cabinet to adopt the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2025/26, be supported.

b)    That the recommendation to Cabinet to delegate minor operational amendments to the Framework to the Assistant Director – Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, be supported.