Agenda item

Two public questions had been submitted; the responses were taken as read.

Question from Mr. Richard Lawler

Standards for Waste and Recycling in Council Housing
At Cobham Road and Queen Street, communal bin areas are currently located on mud or damaged surfaces, with no secure compounds and some blocks having no recycling facilities at all.

What plans does the Council have to ensure that all council-housing sites meet a clear minimum standard for waste storage — including hardstanding, individual household bins rather than large industrial ones where appropriate, secure cages, CCTV at hotspots, and full recycling provision in line with Cheltenham’s household waste standards?

Response from Councillor Julian Tooke, Chair of the Cabinet Housing Committee

Thank you for your question.

As a council, we are committed to identifying and upgrading bin areas that do not meet modern regulations or an acceptable standard. These improvements are dependent on factors such as the availability of suitable space, obtaining necessary planning permission, and securing sufficient budget. We have already upgraded a number of bin areas, and this work forms part of an ongoing programme of improvements.

Both 220-234 Swindon Road (adjoining Queen Street) and 28-33 Cobham Road have been identified for improvements, with the addition of hard standing for the bin areas, in the 2026-2027 financial year. This work will be managed by our Technical and Investment Team and will be overseen by our Senior Building Surveyor.

Question from Mr. Richard Lawler

Leadership and Accountability for Estate Improvements Does the Cabinet Housing Committee agree that the current conditions at these sites fall below what residents should expect from a modern, well-managed social-housing environment — and that rectifying them is an equality and dignity issue as much as an environmental one?

If so, would the Cabinet Housing Committee consider assigning a named senior officer to take direct ownership of coordinating the necessary improvements — recognising both the scale of the problem and the need to manage workloads across the Housing team — and arrange a joint on-site visit with ward representatives and interested parties?

Response from Councillor Julian Tooke, Chair of the Cabinet Housing Committee

Thank you for your question.

As a landlord we are committed to putting our tenants and leaseholders at the heart of our services and to listening and responding to concerns as they are raised, whether they are environmental, neighbourhood, community, or otherwise. We want all our tenants, leaseholders and shared owners to live in communities where they feel safe, that they are proud of and where everyone can thrive

As a committee we are unable to take decisions on the allocation of resources, however, we are confident that officers will take action as stated in my previous response to the question. If after those actions have been taken, they are still unsatisfactory please feel free to get in touch again.

Supplementary Question

Residents at Queen Street have raised concerns with me about the condition and design of the bin store. They tell me they often have to climb over rubbish just to reach the bins and many bags are now being kept on balconies because the waste area isn’t fit for purpose. Can I ask whether the current bins and waste storage arrangements are considered appropriate for this site, and, if not, what steps the council’s housing service will take to bring this block up to a safe and accessible standard.

Response from Councillor Julian Tooke, Chair of the Cabinet Housing Committee

Unable to comment on the legalities and what is defined as safe and accessible in law as this is not my area of expertise. What I can say is when I look at the photo it does not look great. Thank you for raising this with the committee. It is really important that concerned residents and people like you who care bring up these things, we take them very seriously. The Head of Housing Services will take this action away and will come back to you with a response, including a time frame.

Once again want to emphasise how grateful we are that you have brought this up. On this committee our job is not to be a member of the council, but to act as a check and balance to the council.