Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the Housing Compliance position and improvement plan.

Report of the Chief Executive that provided an update on the Housing compliance position and the improvement plan. Officers referred to the Councils self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing once it discovered issues of non-compliance. Officers stated that of the six compliance areas; four were deemed major compliance areas (Fire, Water, Asbestos, Electric) and that three of these areas would be compliant by September 2021, with Officers having to contend with a significant non access issues. Officers confirmed that Water and Electric works were progressing and works nearing completion.  Furthermore, Asbestos was now 100% compliant, as was electric & gas in communal areas. Officers informed Members that Fire compliance would be reached by March 2022 with type three fire assessments taking place. Due to high levels of no access, the fire assessment has been changed to type one for properties where access permissions have not been granted. Officers confirmed that this approach was decided on after consultation with the regulator and the fire service.

Officers stated that an improvement action plan was produced for the council to reach full compliance in all six areas.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·       Members thanked the Officers for their hard and efficient work in correcting the issue.

·       Members asked why the fire doors would not be completed until the end of March 2022 and why the delay in sorting a contract. Officers stated that the fire door programme was being completed separately, and that more doors than initially anticipated needed to be changed. The longer time scale was due to the fire doors being specially made to order in bulk numbers.

·       Members sought assurance that the worst fire doors were being replaced first. Officers stated that the fire doors needed to be checked every six months and the council was prioritising according to risk assessments undertaken on each building to target the ‘worst’.

·       Members asked whether there was a pattern to the no access problem. Officers stated that there were three main reasons: 1) the tenants need assistance, 2) the tenants did not understand why the council were intervening and 3) tenants had made changes in the properties without permission.

·       Members expressed concern over the compliance issue and a desire to scrutinise. It was proposed that the best time for scrutiny would be once the council achieved full compliance. Members noted that regular compliance reports would come to each CHP.

·       Members discussed the merit of Members receiving training on statutory compliance issues to ensure the Panel could perform its function adequately.  It was noted that training requirements were being considered and would be provided via the Member Development Steering Group.

·       In response to a question, the Chair confirmed that as yet no timeline had been provided for completing the ongoing investigation.

·       Members asked how the tenants were kept informed. Officers stated that the webpage was regularly updated and that there was a specific email and number for tenants to use to contact Officers if they had any questions or concerns.

          RESOLVED:

          (Unanimous)

The panel noted the contents of this report.