Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Policy is approved

In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services, the Leader presented her introduction, which began by stating that the Liberal Democrat council believes all council tenants should live in homes that are safe, warm, dry and well-maintained – that is the objective of this policy.  She said that Awaab’s Law, which followed the death of a young boy in home with black mould and damp not treated by the landlord, highlights the need for the HHSRS policy, and will allow tenants to   know and understand what is covered by the safety rating system.  All hazards will be clearly identified, together with advice on what tenants should do if things go wrong. We want tenants to feel they can raise issues, that these will be addressed, and the process that will be followed to address them. 

She ended by saying that the policy had been approved by Cabinet Housing Committee, and is supported by tenants. 

A Member welcomed the policy, which provides fundamental clarity and information for all tenants around critical safety issues, commenting that the input of Cabinet Housing Committee, which includes tenant representatives, should be highlighted – they have been involved in steering this policy and are very supportive.

Another Member asked whether the council is doing any comms on this and the other new housing-related policy, to send out a strong message to tenants and to raise the bar for private landlords who will be able to see what the council is doing.  The Leader said she would follow up on this. 

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Policy is approved