Agenda item

Social Housing Regulation - Q2 2024/25 review

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).

Minutes:

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 revised consumer standards.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing presented the report, and the following issues were raised:

 

·       Should an inspection of SHDC’s housing stock take place presently, what grading could the Authority hope to achieve?

  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing responded that this was currently hard to answer.  So far, there had only been a small number of Regulatory Judgements at other councils however, each one was being monitored by the Authority.  Details of the gradings (C1-C4) were detailed within section 2.2 of the report.  Those councils that had been graded at C2 generally had good control of their council stock, a good understanding and delivery of the consumer standards, and good health and safety provision.  Those councils with a C3 grading seemed to have concerns around health and safety.  With regard to the issue of health and safety and SHDC housing stock, compliance clinics were being held monthly, providing a great deal of assurance and scrutiny, and there was also a robust testing of data being undertaken.  The Portfolio Holder was confident that sufficient consideration was being given to the health and safety element and achieving the required standards.

 

·       It appeared that more responsibility on housing issues was being placed on members – was this the case?

  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing responded that although there was an emphasis for members to have more responsibility, the regulator’s view was that the governing body i.e. the Cabinet be kept fully informed, hence the number of reports at this meeting and in the future.  It was important to ensure that everyone was kept very well informed on the issues and progress.  In addition, individual members had responsibility for individual areas – as an example, the Portfolio Holder advised that she had responsibility for complaints.

 

·       With regard to the issue of damp, condensation and mould, to what extent was the Council responsible for what could be perceived as ‘lifestyle’ factors (such as drying washing indoors and not heating the home) that could contribute to these problems?  Were any measures being taken to mitigate this?

  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing responded that, following Awaab’s Law, it was an important cultural change to move away from considering problems being as a result of ‘lifestyle’ issues.  In the past, this had been the typical response of councils and landlords. There has been a shift in the Authority’s approach, and speedy assessments of houses are being undertaken.  There could be occasions where advice needed to be given to tenants in order to improve the situation within their home however, it was important to also look at a property on its own merit and make a decision based on that information as to what improvements could be undertaken. 

 

DECISION:

 

That the work underway to align services with the new regulatory regime, and the Council’s progress towards delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards be noted.

 

(Other options considered:

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

Reasons for decision:

·       To provide assurance to Cabinet on the Council’s preparations for regulatory inspection and provide updated information on ongoing work towards meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards).

Supporting documents: