Agenda item

To seek feedback on a one-year extension to the current Landlord Strategy timeline, aligning it with ongoing service transformation activity and enabling deeper tenant engagement in shaping the next strategy (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which sought feedback on a one-year extension to the current Landlord Strategy timeline, aligning it with ongoing service transformation activity and enabling a deeper tenant engagement in shaping the next strategy.

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The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager presented the report which set out the proposal to extend the current Housing Landlord Strategy and highlighted the following:

• The extension was intended to align the strategy with ongoing service transformation work, to allow further tenant engagement, and support the co?creation of a revised future strategy:
• Members were advised that the service continued to deliver improvements following the Regulator of Social Housing inspection, and that work on the provider improvement plan was progressing well;
• Recruitment for the new Tenant Scrutiny Panel was underway, supported by training to strengthen tenant?led oversight. Monthly meetings with the Regulator of Social Housing were taking place to evidence progress; and
• Tenants had been consulted in October 2025 and expressed strong support for extending the strategy which allowed more meaningful involvement and engagement.

Members considered the report and made the following comments;

• Members sought assurance that improvements were continuing across the service, particularly benchmarking performance against neighbouring authorities.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager confirmed that:
    • The Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2025/26 had recently been completed and once validated, would be brought back to Members.; and
    • Tenants had also requested additional benchmarking against neighbouring authorities with housing stock; therefore, comparative data for North Kesteven, South Kesteven and Lincoln had been included.

• Members asked how the survey would engage with the elderly and geographically remote tenants.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager responded that:
    • Tenant engagement events were being held across the district, with attendance monitored to ensure a representative spread of tenant voices. Where community centres were not available, village halls and church halls were used; and
    • Updates for members were provided through Member Briefings, posters in the members lounge and agreement to send direct emails where possible.

• Members asked how the recruitment to the Tenant Scrutiny Panel was progressing.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager informed the Panel that eight strong expressions of interest had been received, with two further forms expected. If all were confirmed, a 10?member panel would be established. Membership was drawn from across the district, and a full geographical breakdown could be provided.

• Members asked how the service would ensure engagement with sheltered housing tenants and those with mobility issues.
  • The Tenant Engagement and Influence Lead advised that events were being held within sheltered housing schemes, with newsletters hand?delivered by the Independent Living Team. Tenants unable to attend events could contact the service by phone or email, and information was regularly posted to those requesting it.

• Members asked whether the appendices to the report could be re-ordered in future to assist readability.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager confirmed that the sequence of appendices would be reviewed in future reports.

• Members sought further information on the Councils progress towards achieving a C1 regulatory grading.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager confirmed that tenant engagement had been the main area of weakness, and that monthly meetings with the Regulator allowed ongoing updates. Once the scrutiny panel was established and scrutiny activity demonstrated improved outcomes for tenants, the Regulator would consider internal validation for regrading.

• Members requested further detail regarding the Complaints Working Group referenced in the report.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager advised that the group, established in early 2025, comprised of the Assistant Director - Housing, the Portfolio Holder, and service team leaders. The group monitored complaint trends and themes to identify service learning and improvements.

• Members queried why Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints had increased significantly.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager explained that the Housing Ombudsman had advised that complaints were previously under?reported, and the Council had undertaken a major internal and external campaign to ensure all dissatisfaction was properly captured. The resulting increase therefore reflected improved accuracy and aligned with sector averages.

• Members asked when would 100% stock condition data coverage would be achieved.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager replied that coverage had since risen to 90.05%. All properties had been attempted at least three times, the current coverage level was considered acceptable by sector data specialists and the Regulator, but the Council would continue working toward 100%.

• Member raised concerns about ensuring that properties were appropriately matched to household needs, particularly where tenants were under?occupying larger homes.
  • The Housing Transformation (HRA) Manager advised that housing officers supported tenants to move where appropriate and agreed to seek further information regarding any additional work underway in this area.

AGREED:

a)    That the progress in delivering the Housing Landlord Strategy be noted;

b)    That following consideration and the noting of feedback from the Policy Development Panel, the revised extended Housing Landlord Strategy 2024/2027 (Appendix A) be recommended to Cabinet for adoption.