Agenda and minutes

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

The Chair welcomed those present to the meeting.

Apologies were received form Cllr Aqbany and Cllr Zaman. Cllr Bonham and Cllr Surti were present as substitutes.

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

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

No interests were declared.

The minutes of the meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Commission held on Tuesday 17^th March have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

The minutes of the previous meeting held 17^th March 2026 were agreed with the following amendment:

-       For Cllr Gregg’s declaration to state he applied to support Exempted Housing.

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

The Chair announced that papers had been circulated in advance and were usually taken as read. It was noted that, due to the presence of substitute Members, a more detailed presentation from officers would be provided to ensure all Members were fully informed.

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

It was noted that none were received.

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

It was noted that none were received.

The Director of Housing submits a report providing an update on the progress made on the housing division’s Provider Improvement Plan (PiP).

The Director of Housing submitted a report providing an update on the progress made on the housing division’s Housing Regulator Provider Improvement Plan (PiP).  Key points included:

• This was the first progress report since the regulator inspection in July 2025.  Since then, the service was now in the provider improvement phase, and meeting with the Regulator of Social Housing Team on a monthly basis, giving updates on areas identified in the inspection.  This mainly included elements in the Safety and Quality standard and the Tenant Engagement Standard.
• The PiP included 26 specific actions as detailed in the report.
• There is an internal Board chaired by the Strategic Director of CDN, the Director of Housing and all Heads of Service whom meet monthly in advance of meeting with the regulator.
• Since the PiP had been generated, five of the 26 actions had been completed.  These related to asbestos, water safety, mutual exchanges, the Tenant Scrutiny Panel and complaints.
• The areas were RAG rated (Red, Amber, Green).  There are thirteen rated green and eight amber on the report, but since the report was published, this had changed to sixteen green and five amber.
• Actions had been impacted by unavoidable events, such as the winter and the implementation of legislation such as Awaab’s Law.
• There are now 2600 out-of-category repairs, down from 6,250 in January 2025
• There are now 315 damp and mould cases, down from 539. We are on track to clear these down during 2026
• There had been a number of IT challenges which had caused some of the amber ratings, such as the roll out of new complaints IT system, health and safety and fire safety IT systems.  Effective systems were already in place for these, but the new systems would help the service to enhance reporting and pull all information in to one location.
• 3,347 Housing Health and Safety rating inspections (HHSRS) have been completed, up from the 2,800 noted in the report.
• The service was on track to complete the target of 60% of Electrical Safety inspections (EICRs) by the end of 2026 and to complete the full cycle by 2028.

In response to member questions and discussion, the following was noted:

• The report related to Council stock.  With regard to registered providers, they were subject to the same regulations and inspection regime as the Council.  Historically, there had been a degree of governance and financial oversight of registered providers in advance of the new Regulator.  However, they now needed to comply to consumer standards.  This was not necessarily the case of private providers, however, there were changes to renters’ rights that would bring in new requirements for providers, and they would have to go on a national PRS Housing register.  They would also now have to meet the Decent Homes Standard and would need to meet Awaab’s law when they are introduced or PRS.  This would bring private providers more into line with Local Authorities and registered providers.
• A private rented sector team could inspect properties for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

The Director of Housing submits a report outlining the requirements of Awaab’s Law and setting out the division’s arrangements to comply with the regulations underpinning Awaab’s law.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to the Commission outlining the requirements of Awaab’s Law and set out the division’s arrangements to comply with the regulations underpinning Awaab’s law.

The Head of Service for Housing presented the item and the following was noted:

• Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law came into force on 27th October 2025 with accompanying non-statutory guidance.
• The legislation represented a significant change for social landlords, particularly in relation to damp and mould hazards, with a focus on tenant safety and managing health and safety risks. Statutory response times of 24 hours, 5 working days and 10 working days were highlighted
• From October 2026 Phase 2 of the regulations would be extended to cover hazards which presented a significant risk of harm, including excess cold and heat, falls, fire and electrical hazards, domestic and personal hygiene and food safety.
• In 2027, Phase 3 of the regulations would cover all Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards, apart from overcrowding where they presented a significant risk of harm.
• Social Landlords were required to investigate potential emergency hazards and, if confirmed, undertake relevant safety work within 24 hours to make the property safe.
• Potential significant hazards were required to be investigated within 10 working days.
• Tenants would receive a written summary of findings within 3 working days of an investigation concluding.
• If a significant hazard was identified, safety work would begin within 5 days, and further follow on works must have started within 12 weeks of the hazard being made safe.
• Implementation had taken place during a period of high demand, particularly due to increased reporting and seasonal cold weather.
• The Council’s approach focused on identifying root causes of issues through a range of repair responses, ensuring properties were made safe and enabling resources to be targeted effectively to meet legislative requirements. It was noted that processes, governance and oversight arrangements had been adapted to support delivery.
• Performance data indicated that 90% of emergency damp and mould cases had been responded to within the 24 hour timeframe. A revised approach aimed to ensure cases were assessed and reported within 3 days.
• Members were advised that a dedicated damp and mould team had been established, supported by additional budget growth of £170k to recruit cleaning staff to address immediate risks.
• The revised process, implemented from October 2025, required tenants to report issues online or via telephone where necessary. All reports were assessed to identify root causes and consider tenant vulnerabilities, supported by a vulnerability matrix. Cases were categorised as emergency or significant hazards, with required response times applied accordingly. It was confirmed that properties were made safe within 24 hours where required, and that temporary accommodation could be offered, although this had not been required to date.
• Demand had increased significantly beyond initial expectations. The phased approach had supported prioritisation of emergency hazards and enabled capacity to be built. Additional funding had been directed towards contractors and resources to support compliance, with a hybrid delivery model in place combining  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

The Director of Housing submits a report outlining the Council’s strategic approach and operational performance regarding health and safety (H&S) compliance across housing stock.

The Director of Housing submitted a report outlining the Council’s strategic approach and operational performance regarding health and safety (H&S) compliance across housing stock.

Key points included:

• This was the first comprehensive oversight on housing stock and steps were taken to ensure residents were safe and that health and safety was the highest priority.
• The reports were based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• There was a compliance framework designed to mitigate risk.
• All performance issues went through scrutiny and tenants’ scrutiny.
• There was a requirement to maintain accurate records.
• Evidence was collected on people-centric metrics, and evidence was provided every month on meeting outcomes.
• It was aimed to demonstrate 100% compliance across the stock.
• Gas risk was the highest, so 100% compliance was needed.
• During checks, a full service of boilers and heating systems was completed.
• Engineers checked smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Risks such as leaks were undertaken to ensure properties were safe.
• Performance figures were set out in the report.
• In terms of next steps, there was an operational strain around access since people were often not home for appointments.  Tenancy engagement was being conducted for hard-to-access cases.
• In terms of compliance, proactive communications were being conducted with tenants, and an access strategy was being undertaken.  It was being looked at how tenants could be supported to help them understand safety.
• Regarding electrical safety, since April 2024, it had been mandatory for Local Authorities to carry out a five-year cyclical testing programme known as the EICR that identified faults, fixes and compliance.  Critical repairs had been undertaken.  In terms of assurance, the EICR programme had been implemented with an aim to reach 100% compliance by 2028.
• Communal space compliance was at 99%
• Over 2900 rewires had been undertaken over a five-year period.
• Minor work certificates had been issued.
• 99.8% of immediate danger reports had been done within the timescale.
• Additional budget had been allocated in 2025/26 to help establish a dedicated electrical safety team.
• There was a national shortage of electricians.  There was a mixed delivery model of in-house and contractors to meet needs and the service was working to be fully compliant by 2028.
• All communal spaces had been inspected.  All surveys had been completed and an annual re-inspection programme had been started which implemented the risk model. The Tenants’ Scrutiny Panel would be reported to on this.
• Surveys were carried out regarding the ongoing management of asbestos.
• Fire Safety was managed based on risk and the information needed for this was all in place.  Policies were in place on how properties were managed.
• All blocks had inspections on communal spaces, the frequency of this was based on risk.
• Fire risk assessments were carried out and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue were worked with.  The Council had never required enforcement action to be taken against it.
• In terms of water hygiene, a legionella risk assessment of communal water tanks was conducted.  There were only 36 water tanks in council stock, mostly in sheltered housing, and all of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

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

It was suggested that regular updates come to commission regarding the Housing Regulator.

The work programme was noted. 

There being no further items of urgent business, the meeting finished at 19:07.