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 Cabinet with an update on progress made towards meeting the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, including revised consumer standards.

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

The report provided an update on the Council’s progress in meeting the outcomes of the RSH consumer standards.

The report outlined the steps taken to address identified weaknesses, including the progress against the Regulatory Improvement Plan and continued delivery of the Housing Transformation Programme.

Key improvements included:

• Stock condition surveys were now over 91.12% complete, giving  accurate data on homes, with surveys continuing to take place.
• Tenant engagement had expanded, with the development of a Tenant Scrutiny Panel which was being recruited to this month (February).
• Review of key letters with tenants to ensure they were providing clear and understandable information.
• Several key tenant led policies had been developed and adopted, including the Reasonable Adjustments Policy and Aids and Adaptations Policy, ensuring services better reflected tenants’ needs.
• Development of a Contractor Code of Conduct with Tenants.

The Council remained committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement and the quarterly reports would provide progress on how the authority was working towards a C1 grading.

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

·         Members congratulated officers on the progress achieved to date and stated that a high bar was being set.  In addition, it was encouraging to see the new level of transparency around housing issues.

 DECISION:

1)    That Cabinet notes the progress made in addressing areas of weakness identified in the Regulator of Social Housing’s C2 judgement of the Council against the consumer Standards as part of its proactive regulatory inspection regime;

2)    That Cabinet notes the quarterly Tenant Engagement Impact Assessment Report (included as Appendix C).

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – to retain progress updates through operational arrangements with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.  This option is not considered to be appropriate as the Regulator of Social Housing is clear that Councillors are responsible for ensuring that the Council, in its role as a registered provider, is meeting the regulatory standards set;

Reasons for decision:

·         To provide oversight, awareness and assurance of the Council’s compliance with regulatory requirements as a Social Landlord).