Agenda item

A Q2 update on the Housing Improvement Plan was provided for Members’ consideration. A summary of progress against each of the Consumer Standards was presented within the report and some of the Consumer Standards metrics were highlighted within the presentation for this item.

It was reported that for measure NC3 to establish a procedure to keep tenants informed of progress of their Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) cases, staff training was being provided and processes had been reviewed to ensure cases were managed as per process with a final visit when a case was being closed.

With regard to Consumer Standard SQ5 – Implement Total Mobile for Repairs and Maintenance – it was reported that in Q1 2025/26 the Council had lost the project manager assisting the team in the configuration and development prior to implementation of the Total Mobile (TM) system. Nevertheless, the system was now at the final testing stage.

On the overdue repairs and maintenance jobs, it was reported that since the Regulatory Judgment, the number of overdue jobs had reduced from circa 3,000 to 1,052 at the end of Q2 2025/26, with 521 jobs currently in progress and a further 91 reported at no access to property.

For Electrical Inspection Condition Reports (EICR), work was progressing with contractors who were issued with properties where no certificate was currently held either at all or within the 5-year reporting cycle. There was greater co-ordination reported between Housing Tenancy Officers and the Electrical and Gas Teams in place to visit and seek to gain entry to hard-to-reach properties currently outstanding in terms of electrical and other inspections.

In terms of tenant engagement work, delays had been experienced but draft proposals for the range of formal and informal opportunities were being prepared. This would detail how tenants could interact with and influence Housing Services. It was highlighted that to provide meaningful engagement for tenants required work to understand their specific needs and, for those on tenants’ panel, how they could participate fully in tenant governance arrangements. Senior Tenant Engagement Officer would be recruited into post in early 2026 to help progress this area of work.

As part of the monthly meetings with the Housing Regulator, it was agreed there would be a revision to this Housing Improvement Plan, which would be reflected in the Quarter 3 report to Members.

Following presentation of the report, a question was raised about the programme for the completion of all outstanding fire safety remedial actions. It was explained by officers that the target was to clear all outstanding fire remedial actions within two years. A Member questioned why the expected delivery was not quicker than around two years given a 12 per cent reduction in outstanding remedial actions between Q1 and Q2 of this year had already been achieved and additional capital would be provided into the programme. The Officer responded that this was due to the volume of properties affected and economies of scale in terms of it being easier to clear a larger proportion of backlog works in larger blocks, and more time-consuming to set up works separately at smaller sites. It was further explained that there were circa 700 fire door actions outstanding and this actions would require significant time to deal with.

With regard to Electrical Compliance Manager recruitment, Members were informed that the Service went out to market on two occasions but did not find a suitable candidate. The Council’s recruitment agency, Opus, would be approached to provide a temporary cover or undertake recruitment to a permanent post. Failing this arrangement, authority would be sought to go outside the ordinary arrangement.

A question was asked about Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) cases and how tenants were updated on the cases or know that the matter had been dealt with. The Assistant Director Community and Housing Services responded that Officers were required to update tenants in a timely manner, whilst a formal procedure was put in place. Work was in progress to provide further training to Neighbourhood Tenancy Officers regarding effective communication and positive case closure. This also included tracking of cases on the software system and implementation of a final visit at the case closure.

The effect of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the Housing Service within Redditch was discussed. It was noted that in terms of any changes to specific service delivery, support from tenants was needed. As part of LGR, the Redditch Council’s stock of housing (Housing Revenue Account) would be moved to a larger unitary authority, whether a north Worcestershire or a whole Worcestershire model was adopted.

RESOLVED that

the Housing Improvement Plan Quarter 2 2025/26 Update, which includes actions to address areas for improvement, confirmed as part of the Regulator of Social Housing Inspection process, is noted.