Agenda and minutes

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Mahesh and Zaman.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

The Chair asked members to declare any interests in the proceedings. Cllr Aqbany declared a potential conflict regarding the agenda items because he lived in a council house.

The minutes of the special meeting held on 12 June 2025 and the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Commission held on 10 July 2025 have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Chair highlighted that the minutes of the special meeting held on 12 June 2025, and the HSC meeting held on 10 July 2025 were included in the agenda pack. She asked members to confirm whether the minutes were an accurate record.

AGREED:

It was agreed that the referenced minutes were an accurate record.

The Chair is invited to make any announcements as they see fit.

The Chair informed that an email had been sent to non-commission members inviting questions regarding the Housing Regulatory Inspection, but no questions had been submitted, nor were any non-members in attendance. She also noted that this matter would be addressed at the special council meeting scheduled for 1 September 2025.

Any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures will be reported.

It was noted that none had been received.

Any petitions received in accordance with Council procedures will be reported.

It was noted that none had been received.

The Director of Housing submits a report on the outcome of the Regulator of Social Housing’s (RSH) initial inspection of the Council’s Landlord function, along with the action plan to address identified assurance gaps.

The Director of Housing presented a report to update the commission on the outcome of the Regulator of Social Housing’s initial inspection of the Council’s landlord function, along with the action plan to address identified assurance gaps.

It was noted that:

·       The RSH regulations came into effect in April 2024 for Local Authorities with housing stock. Following an inspection of the Council’s landlord function, Leicester had received a C3 judgment, as anticipated, equivalent to the judgment received by comparable authorities, including Bristol, Nottingham, and Sheffield.

·       In the judgment, which was announced on 30 July 2025, the Regulator recognised the significant work underway toward compliance and praised the council for its open and transparent approach. The regulator was also complimentary about the council’s work in meeting the standards for the delivery of services.

·       The Regulator was assured that the consumer standards were being met in safety and quality, with legal compliance in gas safety, smoke and carbon monoxide safety, fire safety, water safety and lift safety.

·       The Housing division demonstrated an understanding of the diverse needs of tenants, taking into account their views in the decision-making process. The Regulator was also assured that the Council deals effectively with Anti-Social Behaviour, further to which the Council was deemed fully compliant with the Neighbourhood and Community standards.

·       For the Tenancy standard, the Regulator saw evidence that Leicester was offering tenancies that were compatible with the purpose of its accommodation, the needs of individual households, sustainability of the community, and efficient use of the housing stock. Leicester’s mutual exchange processes also met the required outcome of the tenancy standards. Leicester was similarly deemed fully compliant with this standard.

·       Only two of the four standards had gaps and issues identified, i.e., Safety and Quality; and Transparency, Influence, and Accountability.

·       Under the Safety and Quality Standards, the following areas of improvement were identified:

o   Improved evidence needed on stock condition using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), to demonstrate that homes were free from Category 1 hazards and give assurance in the level of decent homes.

o   For Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to be completed on a 5-year cycle for all domestic homes.

o   Requirement of additional oversight of Health and Safety performance.

o   Need to strengthen repairs and maintenance services.

·       Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standards, the following gaps were identified;

o   Additional performance information to tenants

o   Increased opportunities for tenants to scrutinise and influence services.

o   Enhanced complaints handling and reporting.

o   Formalised reporting on learning from complaints.

·       The highlighted gaps had already been identified by the Council through a self-assessment before the inspection, and the Housing Division had already commenced work towards compliance since the introduction of the Regulator in 2024. The Regulator was advised of these self-assessed gaps, along with an action plan for addressing them and the required timescales to become compliant in relation to the entire standard.

·       Despite detailed evidence of stock knowledge, the Regulator did not accept this due to the absence of HHSRS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The Director of Housing submits a report that provides an update on the ‘headline’ Housing Register and Lettings data, relating to Leicester City Council’s Housing Register, for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The Director of Housing submitted a report that provided an update on the ‘headline’ Housing Register and Lettings data, relating to Leicester City Council’s Housing Register, for the 2024/2025 financial year.

Key Points included:

·     There had been a national 3% increase across the households on registers.

·     This was the highest number nationally since 2014. 

·     The average waiting time (nationally) for a suitable let was 2.9 years.

·     In 2024/2025, Leicester’s average wait in Band 1 was 18 months for a 2-bed property, 22 months for a 3-bed property and 25 months for a 4-bed property.  These averages were shorter than the national average.

·     The Housing Register was a register of need rather than a waiting list.  The number on the waiting list was just over 6,000.  This was a reduction of 5% at the same time in the previous year.

·     There had been a reduction in households on the register, but there had been a 7% increase in homeless households.

·     The numbers in Band 1 were 5% higher than the previous year, the numbers in Band 2 were down 1% on the previous year, and the numbers in Band 3 had remained consistent.

·     Overcrowding was the biggest reason for people being on the register; however, there had been a 4% reduction in this since last year.  Work had been done on overcrowding, such as the EasyMove scheme, which involved people exchanging properties for ones that were more mutually suitable.

·     ‘Housing need’ was driven by population growth and socio-economic factors, whereas ‘Housing demand’ was based on where people wanted to live.

·     People could choose which properties they wished to bid on.  People were advised to bid as often and as widely as possible to maximise the chance of being rehoused.

·     The highest housing need was for three-bed properties.

·     Family-sized housing was the most in-demand.

·     The demand for wheelchair accommodation outstripped supply.  It was aimed to source more of this.

·     Those requiring partially adapted accommodation were achieving lets at a higher rate than their representation on the register.

·     The number of lettings in the last 12 months had increased by 13%, largely due to an increase in build schemes.

·     Band 1 had the highest proportion of people achieving lets.  65% of these were homeless or at risk of homelessness.  This was an increase of 12% on the same time in the previous year.

·     New Parks had the most lettings, followed by Belgrave and Rushey Mead.

·     The average waiting times were only a guide and there were many variables on individual cases.

·     The amount of time on the register was dependent on the activity and choices of the applicants.

·     Waiting times had slightly decreased for wheelchair accommodation, and there had been an additional seven lettings to households for this kind of accommodation compared to 2023.24.

·     Leicester Home Choice (our choice-based lettings scheme) was provided with 50% of all available Housing Association properties and this was monitored.

The Commission were invited to ask questions and make comments. Key points included:

·       The Allocations Policy served as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Director of Housing submits a report that provides an update on the current position of the Repairs and Maintenance Team, its performance throughout 2024-25 and projections for 2025-26; highlighting challenges and improvement actions.

The Heads of Service presented an update on the current position of the Repairs and Maintenance performance, including responsive repairs, voids, and damp and mould, the team’s performance throughout 2024-24 and projections for 2025-26. It was noted that:

·       There was new legislation around Electrical and HHSRS inspections. The team, therefore, anticipated having requests through that route.

·       One of the challenges had been around vacancies (with 32 currently, which represents 10% of the Council’s craft workforce). This impacted the team's capacity to undertake as many repairs as it would like.

·       A positive development was that outstanding repairs had gone down by 3,000 for total outstanding, and by over 1000 in the repairs that were out-of-category. Hence, the overall repair trend was on a positive trajectory.

·       The overall repair trends had been stable, which was beneficial in predicting demands. Work was still ongoing to improve the overall position of the Repairs team.

·       The four tenant satisfaction measures showed good progress in comparison to other local authorities. The transactional surveys were over 95% positive as well.

·       The team was continuing work with contractors to explore additional capacity to get through the repairs. One of the major goals of the team this year was the investment in staff and an increase in the apprenticeship programme. This is due to a significant skills gap in the craft sector, and this was a way for the Council to proactively address this.

·       The team was working hard to achieve its projections and targets for the year.

·       On voids, it was noted that;

o   The previous reports had highlighted some improvements. Part of this improvement was the merger of the damp and mould teams within the voids team. The impact on voids had been relatively minimal, while there had been incredibly positive improvements with damp and mould.

o   It was expected that there would be a slight increase in the voids outstanding although still very low numbers, as the teams got involved in supporting voids and damp and mould works, but these projections were based on a stable resource position.

·       On Damp and mould, it was noted that:

o   Awareness had heightened on damp and mould, particularly since the unfortunate passing of Awaab Ishak.

o   The Council promptly responded to remedial works, and the Service had been focused on reducing outstanding works to meet the requirements of phase 1 of Awaab’s law, which would become effective from October 2025.

o   There were currently no out-of-category inspections outstanding, and there has been a significant improvement in the outstanding remedials, which at the time of the report sat at 689 outstanding, and 546 out of category.

o   47% of all live remedials outstanding had been visited, in addition to initial inspections to survey for materials, undertake damp and mould cleaning or commence remedial repairs.

o   The projection was to clear all out-of-category remedials by December 2025, based on the assumption that resource were stable, contractors would continue to meet expectations, and the team would be able to gain access to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Director of Housing submits a report outlining the findings of a review of cleaning and associated charges for communal areas in council-owned sheltered housing and flatted accommodation.

The Head of Service presented a report summarising the findings from the review of cleaning and associated charges for communal areas in council-owned accommodation, and the improvements to the service. It was noted that:

·       Not every communal area was normally cleaned, because following the initial consultation with tenants when the service was first set up, some opted out to avoid additional charges.

·       The need for this review arose after the New Parks enquiry on the level of cleaning. The service identified that the level of cleaning needed to be enhanced to meet the changing service needs.

·       A review of the service had not been carried out since its introduction and the level of service had not been formally assessed.

·       The tenancy satisfaction measure for satisfaction with communal areas was 49% and had increased to 70% this year as a result of the enhanced cleaning that took place.

·       The council cleaned over 50 sites, and 550 properties were charged for communal cleaning.

·       The review had led to enhanced cleaning at the Burns Flat, and this standard was now being rolled out across the city.

·       It was discovered that in sheltered housing the service was not charging tenants the full cost of cleaning.

·       The Service used the opportunity of review to see if flats that had previously opted out were interested in opting back in, because the Council was still having to carry out intensive cleaning in those communal areas, funded through the HRA.

·       Formal monitoring arrangements were now in place with the Housing and Cleaning staff who meet regularly on the estate to ensure standards were being maintained.

·       The Service was engaging with tenants to get their feedback so that issues could be picked up on quickly and brought to monitoring meetings.

·       An annual review would take place to ensure services aligned with charges.

·       A special project was planned for an in-depth review of all sheltered housing charges and the service provided. 

In response to questions and comments, it was noted that:

·       Sheltered housing units were cleaned every weekday, while other blocks were cleaned once or twice a week.

·       Maintenance charges were calculated based on time and frequency, and areas that needed to be cleaned.

·       The council ensured transparency through listing the charges payable on the rent invoices that went out to tenants.

·       In relation to how the charges could be minimised in view of the cost-of-living situation, it was noted that this was normally considered within the HRA budget report on an annual basis, and tenants were engaged with for ways to support. However, it was emphasised that the rising inflation and increase in wages had to be considered.

·       It was recommended that formal tenant engagement in big blocks around the city should be carried out to ensure the residents were getting value for money. This should also be considered through the Tenant Scrutiny panel, since the issues can be specific to the areas they live in.

AGREED:

1.     That the report be noted.

2.       That comments made by members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Director of Housing submits a report to provide an update on how the Housing Division manages water hygiene safety in its communal areas and tenants’ homes. The report is for information.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to provide an update on how the Housing Division managed water hygiene safety in its communal areas and tenants’ homes.

The Commission were invited to ask questions and make comments. Key points included:

• Legionella was a key risk, and as such, the report had focused on it. 
• Of the 1500 communal areas, only 36 had a water supply, so the legionella risk assessment was done on those blocks.
• All assessments were complete and reviewed on an ongoing cyclical programme on a three-yearly basis.  There was confidence that all requirements were met.
• It was not mandatory to run checks on individual homes, but a 10%-sample was taken of individual homes, usually when they were void.  81% of the housing stock did not have stored water (i.e. no tank in the loft).  Overall, the remaining stock with stored water was at higher risk, and the strategy was to remove stored water as much as possible.  There was confidence that of the stock with stored water, 96% was low risk from a water hygiene perspective. 
• It was being looked at to remove stored water from sheltered housing and replace it with a different system.
• A Legionella Risk Assessment was carried out in voids. With proper management in place, all risks could be effectively mitigated. However, the long-term goal was to fully and fundamentally design out these risks—a process that would take time. In the meantime, mitigations were carried out to control risks to an acceptable level.
• Communications were carried out with tenants to advise them on water hygiene advice that could be followed, such as flushing out showers when a person had been away for a number of weeks.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account.

Members of the Commission will be asked to consider the work programme and make suggestions for additional items as it considers necessary.

The chair invited members to make suggestions on items that they wished to be included in the work programme. The work programme was noted.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.50.