Agenda item

Objective: An update from the Chief Executive and Director on key issues which may be of interest to the Cabinet Housing Committee.

The Chief Executive addressed the Committee and highlighted that:

-       It has been a year since housing services were transferred back into the council. There has been significant progress but also challenges over the last 12 months and significant work to do in terms of our improvement journey. There have been some huge positives, including the progress made on the programme of stock condition surveys, and the strides made in improving and understanding our position on compliance and how we address issues.

-       Whilst we are not fully through the journey around savings generated, almost £2m savings have been projected from combining pensions. This will provide greater choice in the future for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in terms of financial resilience and where the council chooses to invest.

-       We are also seeing the benefits of the combining the strength in capacity and technical knowledge of both organisations. This has been particularly evident in the essential delivery of new homes which is critical in responding to the housing crisis, for example at 320 Swindon Road, which will begin construction later in the year after significant delays.

-       There are still challenges ahead and we are continuing to adjust and respond to the new regulatory environment. The first priority will always be the safety and compliance of homes, and it is important to restate that commitment at this significant point. As we review the other Consumer Standards as a collective we will continue to drive for improvement with a clear goal of being a C1 rated housing provider and an exemplar for our tenants, residents and the other providers we work alongside in Cheltenham and beyond. The expectation for the years ahead is that we will reach that standard.

-       Bringing together 450 colleagues is a challenge for an organisation’s culture and we are continuing to develop our integrated culture. Great work has been done together on developing new organisational values and behaviours and we are seeing progress. There have been some staffing changes during this journey but believe that the foundations for success have been built over the last 12 months. Remain incredibly grateful to housing teams and everybody within the organisation on how we have faced up to challenges and continue our improvement journey. Confident that if we continue to show the same tenacity as the last 12 months we will deliver against our aims.

-       Incredibly grateful to the teams on a day-to-day basis who make sure residents are safe in their homes and continue to deliver an excellent service.

The Director of Governance, Housing and Communities addressed the Committee and highlighted that:

-       An all-housing team meeting had been held, and it had been brilliant to get everyone in the same room. All of the team are engaged and dedicated to delivering great services, with positive challenge as activities were carried out to consider things we think we can improve.

-       Next week we will be going out to advert with a number of posts including a senior management position for Head of Repairs, Maintenance and Improvements, two Operation Manager posts (to oversee repairs and voids, and technical and investment respectively), and a Head of Property Compliance. We hope that we will get good applications to bring stability to that side of the housing service. In the interim Pennington Choices have been engaged to provide additional support, advice and assurance to the existing compliance team whilst they do not have a manager. Also aiming to appoint someone to oversee the technical, investment and planned maintenance teams on an interim basis whilst recruitment is carried out.

-       The Head of Housing Services has taken over management of voids to address ongoing delays. This is now moving in the right direction with 12 voids brought back in for reletting, and 16 due back in the next two weeks. The Leader has also signed a decision notice to appoint a new contractor focused on voids. Thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly in this area.

-       On the 17 July a new monthly housing leadership team walkabout will begin to allow tenants the opportunity to talk to members of the team and provide feedback. The Director of Governance, Housing and Communities, Director of Housing – Customer and Community Services, Interim Housing Transformation Director, and Head of Housing Services will be visiting Moors Avenue, St. Peters Close and Yarmouth Terrace between 11am and 1pm. This has been advertised via social media. Walkabouts will be carried out monthly at different locations until Christmas.

In response to Members’ questions, the Director of Governance, Housing and Communities confirmed:

-       The walkabout locations have only been confirmed on the 16 July to ensure that the areas cannot be prepared in advance. The relevant Ward Members will be informed of the visit.