Agenda item

Housing reports attached from Councillor C Cummins attached

·         Scrutiny report for March meeting

·         Bury Council Mock Inspection Final Report

·         Bury Stock Take Final Report

·         Bury Housing Services Performance Report

Councillor Cummins cabinet member for housing services began the meeting by providing an overview of the housing services transition back into the Council. She highlighted the establishment of the Housing Subcommittee and its role in the improvement programme and governance structures. He emphasized the momentum of delivery and the positive impact of the subcommittee.

Councillor Cummins discussed the improvement programme established over the last 12 months, focusing on culture and communications through workshops. He noted that the workforce has been highly engaged, which he found very encouraging. The mock inspection highlighted key areas for development and provided assurance on compliance, which has seen significant improvement. Collaboration with GMCA on homelessness was also mentioned, with positive outcomes and best practices being shared.

Councillor Cummins outlined the plans for the next three months, including repairs, assets, and property restructuring. He mentioned the development of a long-term housing IT plan, refreshing the first-year business plan, and agreeing on budgets. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in providing challenges and familiarization with regulatory frameworks.

Councillor Cummins introduced the new director of Housing Sian Grant, who provided a brief introduction and shared initial observations. The Chief Housing Officer emphasized the need to improve key services delivered to tenants, particularly repairs and handling complaints. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the team's ability to address them.

A significant discussion revolved around the handling of anti-social behaviour. One councillor highlighted historical issues with reluctance to engage with tenants exhibiting ASB. The Chief Housing Officer acknowledged these issues and mentioned the implementation of new policies and external training for housing officers. He noted that recent court cases leading to evictions were a positive step in addressing ASB and restoring tenant confidence.

The need for better support from the police in dealing with ASB was discussed. Housing officers often felt exposed when dealing with such issues due to a lack of support from the police. The Chief Housing Officer mentioned ongoing training and one-to-one sessions with line managers to build housing officers' confidence.

Active listening to tenant feedback was emphasized as crucial. Various channels, including the Tenants First Story and the Housing Advisory Board, were mentioned as means of engagement. Successful clean-up events and estate improvements were noted as positive steps. Measuring tenant satisfaction at the point of service delivery was highlighted as a way to track improvements more accurately.

The difficulty in finding suitable candidates for key positions, such as heads of compliance and repairs, was acknowledged. The Chief Housing Officer mentioned ongoing recruitment efforts and the challenges faced in attracting the right talent.

The rise in disrepair claims was discussed, attributed to targeted efforts by repair companies. Measures to address record-keeping and recruitment of surveyors and tradespeople were outlined. The Chief Housing Officer emphasized the importance of ensuring tenants live in good standard accommodation.

The Chief Housing Officer outlined a comprehensive work plan and improvement plan for the next 12 months. He stressed the importance of honest conversations with tenants and members to ensure transparency. He expressed optimism about achieving more good news stories and improvements in tenant services.

Councillor Cummins acknowledged the significant improvements made and the ongoing challenges. He committed to continued scrutiny and updates from the Housing Subcommittee. He expressed confidence in the direction of the housing services and the team's ability to maintain momentum.

It Was Agreed:

·         The update be noted