Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Community and Housing Services presented the Quarter 4 Update and 2026/27 Housing Improvement Plan report.

The Committee was reminded that, following an inspection in July 2025, the Regulator of Social Housing had identified that Redditch Borough Council required significant improvements in several areas, including repairs, maintenance, fire safety, tenant engagement and stock condition surveys.

The report demonstrated the progress made since that judgement, with eighteen actions having been completed. It was noted that work had also been undertaken in collaboration with the Regulator across the consumer standards, with relevant actions having now been completed.

Members were informed that the introduction of a tenant portal was intended to support residents by providing access to self-service options. It was also noted that the Housing Annual Report for 2026/27 would be shared with tenants and leaseholders by the end of July.

The Assistant Director of Community and Housing Services acknowledged that the formatting of the Housing Improvement Plan (HIP) had been difficult to read due to the small font size and advised that this would be improved in future reports.

The revised HIP aimed to improve gap analysis and ensure that the Council could respond in a flexible and effective manner to ongoing and emerging priorities.

RESOLVED that

1) The Housing Improvement Plan Quarter 4 2025/26 Update, which includes actions to address areas for improvement, confirmed as part of the Regulator of Social Housing inspection process, be noted.

2) The 2026/27 Housing Improvement Plan, which includes actions to address areas for improvement identified across the Consumer Standards be approved.

3) Delegation be given to the Assistant Director Environment & Housing Property and Assistant Director Community & Housing, following consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder, to revise the 2026/27 Housing Improvement Plan, in response to requirements raised by the Regulator for Social Housing, as part of their Provider Improvement Process, and in response to legislative changes.

This report will follow in supplementary papers after it has been published for the meeting of the Executive Committee (due for publication on Monday 1 June 2026).