Agenda item

Social Housing Regulation – Q3 2024/25 update

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 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.

  • The Portfolio Holder responded that the actions to address these issues were included within the appendix. It was recognised that not enough was currently being done in these areas and the action plan would assist in driving this forward. In the first instance, the Policy would be put in place however, it was also important to engage with the tenants in this process so they could influence what needed to be done. It was also important to manage expectations in this area.
  • The Assistant Director – Housing added that one of the recommendations made within the 2025/26 budget was for funding for the addition of an ASB lead to support work in addressing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). Work was currently underway on an enhanced ASB Framework which would be taken through the scrutiny process later in the year and this should assist in supporting work on Anti-Social Behaviour and Hate Crime. Again, tenants were being involved in the development of the Framework. With regard to domestic abuse, a lot of ongoing work was being undertaken with the Community Safety Team, working towards an accreditation for domestic abuse. The work underway recognised where the Authority was currently, and that there were plans in place to improve the management of anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.

·       The Leader commented that as a council, SHDC had always been focussed on anti-social behaviour however, it now needed to have more focus on ASB in Housing.

  • The Portfolio Holder agreed and stated that this was a very important area to get right as this affected people in their own homes and neighbourhood areas.

 

·       The Leader also commented that the transformational work around housing was a large area of work – did the Authority have the capacity and resource to deal with this?

  • The Portfolio Holder responded that this was an issue that she and the team were constantly aware of and monitored. An individual to lead on the tenant engagement role would be required. In addition, resource to undertake the data analysis would also be important to drive these improvements forward. Each piece of work coming forward added additional work to individuals and work was also being undertaken to bed in as ‘business as usual.’
  • The Assistant Director – Housing agreed that it was important to identify where there were issues, direct resources appropriately and ensure that the issues did not re-occur. The plans brought forward showed how this would be done.

 

DECISION:

 

That the work underway towards delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards, and the progress towards aligning services with the new regulatory regime 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 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 assurance to Cabinet on the Council’s preparations for regulatory inspection and provide updated information regarding ongoing work towards meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards).

Supporting documents: