Agenda item

This report will follow in supplementary papers after it has been published for the meeting of Executive Committee (due for publication on Friday 13 February 2026).

The report in respect of the Repairs & Maintenance Policy and the Damp & Mould Policy was presented to Committee. It was noted that these policies, subject to consideration at this Overview and Scrutiny meeting, recommendation by Executive Committee and approval by Full Council, would cover all Council house tenants regardless of tenancy type.

It was highlighted that in the Repairs and Maintenance and Damp and Mould Policies, the Council planned to introduce a new timescale for completion of larger works (titled Planned Maintenance Repair) where the target time for completion would be up to 60 working days. This would be for works which could not wait to be completed as part of the investment works programme and would be dealt with on a programmed repairs basis.

Following the presentation, Members discussed several matters in relation to the report and the Policies:

·       Communication with the tenants regarding the Repairs and Maintenance and the Damp and Mould Policies – It was reported that these new policies would be communicated to residents through the Council’s website, which would be updated once these Policies are approved, and detail would also be included in the Housing Annual Report which is sent to all tenants in printed form.

·       Advice on mould and damp – It was remarked that more reliable information and education on the need to appropriately ventilate properties to prevent damp and mould was needed, including through modernising the Council’s website and offering more responsive advice so that information was quickly available to the tenants.

·       Need for professional information on damp and mould prevention – Members discussed the need for a better, more targeted communication from the Council around damp and mould prevention. It was commented that it was important to provide messaging and advice to challenge perceptions, such as to opinions that actions to eliminate damp/mould such as keeping heating at higher temperature and ventilating homes regularly would lead to more expensive and unaffordable energy bills.

·       Officers explained that work with the third sector around provision of advice and support was important as was work of the Housing Tenancy Team to ensure tenants who needed financial support were claiming the correct benefits for example.

·       Overcrowding and rehousing of tenants in cases of damp and mould issues that could not be resolved – It was explained that overcrowding did not lead in itself to damp and mould issues, however, because the property was overcrowded this could lead to other issues that in turn led to damp and mould. It was noted that provision of alternative properties or temporary housing was dependent on the turnaround in the void properties that the Council had; however, in cases where no resolution to issues with serious damp and mould could be found and there were no void properties available, then temporary accommodation would be provided for tenants in the property affected. If the property could not be brought up to acceptable standard, the tenants affected would also be put on the appropriate priority council house waiting list banding so they could be re-housed as soon as possible.

·       Members discussed the possibility of adding references to sources of financial support available to tenants who were struggling with damp and mould and were finding it difficult to afford energy heating costs to the Damp and Mould Policy as well a reference to advice on how tenants could better insulate their homes to prevent issues with damp and mould. The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Performance, Engagement and Governance reassured the Committee that these suggestions would be reported to and considered by the Executive Committee but added that naming any specific support organisations within the Policy should be avoided.

Following the discussion, the recommendations that the Repairs and Maintenance Policy and the Damp and Mould Policy both be approved were endorsed by the Committee.

RECOMMENDED that

1)    The Repairs and Maintenance Policy, which forms part of the Councils Housing Asset Management Strategy, be approved.

2)    The Damp and Mould Policy, which forms part of the Councils Housing Asset Management Strategy, be approved.