Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which sought Cabinet approval for the adoption of three Housing Landlord policies which supported improved service delivery, accountability and tenant wellbeing.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

• Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy
  • Outlined the approach to supporting tenants with disabilities to align with national expectations and local priorities.
  • Introduced means testing and an appeals panel with impartial tenant representatives.
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy
  • Formalised commitment to fairness and inclusion to ensure that tenants were able to access services without unnecessary barriers.
  • Detailed how reasonable adjustments would be made to meet individual needs.
• HRA Governance Framework
  • Updated document to reflect changes in partnership structure.
  • Clarified roles and responsibilities for transparency and accountability
• The three presented policies would support compliance with Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer standards and reinforced the council’s commitment to tenant well-being, service quality and strong governance.

Members considered the report and raised the following points:

• Members queried whether there was any reason that 40% of council house residents had a limiting disability compared to 19% within the district as a whole.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing responded that there was currently no known reason as to why the percentage was higher, but a data analyst had recently been recruited to gain an understanding of this and how it could inform decision making.
• The Leader asked how the reasonable adjustments policy would be monitored.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing commented that decisions taken under the policy would be monitored by the tenant forum, housing board and internal clinics.
  • She added that complaints were analysed to determine how changes could be made to improve the service.
• Members queried whether any provision was intended to create mobility scooter storage.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing advised that the provision for storage currently sat with the individual.
  • The Housing Property and Repairs Manager confirmed that there were some schemes available for the storing of mobility scooters, but it depended on the suitability of the individual property to accommodate this.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing added that this could be topic for discussion at the tenant forum.

DECISION:

1.    That Cabinet approves:

·      The Housing Landlord Services Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy 2025-2028.

·      The Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Service 2025-2026

·      The Housing Landlord Services Reasonable Adjustments Policy 2025-2029

2.    That Cabinet delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing to the Housing Landlord Services Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy 2025-2028.

3.    That Cabinet delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing to the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Service 2025-2026.

4.    That Cabinet delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing to the Housing Landlord Services Reasonable Adjustments Policy 2025-2029.

5.    That Cabinet approves the continued delegation to the Assistant Director for Housing to undertake all operational and managerial decisions related to the HRA Disabled Aids and Adaptations policy including determining requests for aids and adaptations.

(Other options considered:

• Do Nothing – To take no action by choosing not to implement the policies. This approach would carry risks, not only for the council but, more importantly, for the quality and consistency of service provided to tenants.
• The HRA Governance Framework requires updating to reflect the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership structure.

Reasons for decision:

• The Council has a statutory duty to provide a disabled aids and adaptations service for its tenants, in compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory standards. The council recognises that the current service requires modernisation to improve both operational delivery and the experience of tenants who rely on it. The proposed Aids and Adaptations Policy, developed in collaboration with tenants, addresses this need and reflects the Council’ commitment to equality, inclusion, and tenant wellbeing.
• As a responsible social landlord, the Council must maintain robust governance arrangements to effectively monitor and scrutinise the management of its Housing Landlord Service, This is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.
• In line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s consumer standards, the Council is also required to treat tenants with fairness and respect, ensuring services are accessible to all. The Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard reinforces the need for inclusive engagement, while the Safety and Quality Standard mandates that homes are safe and responsive to the needs of vulnerable tenants. The Tenancy Standard further expects landlords to support tenants in sustaining their tenancies – an outcome that depends on making reasonable adjustments for those facing barriers.)