Agenda item

10.1

The current level of Council housing stock with full stock condition information is less than 50%. A number of council housing estates have been identified as requiring major investment and therefore there is now a requirement to undertake more detailed stock surveys and investment appraisal work.

Members considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhood Services  seeking approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee grants approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year. This will enable the Council to have a better understanding of its stock investment requirements and reflect future investment decisions within the 30-year Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The alternative option considered was to maintain delivering the Stock condition, energy performance and HHSRS surveys at the current rate of delivery (circa 6500 surveys per annum) and continue to undertake stock appraisal work within the existing resources available within the Housing Services Asset Management team, however it would take significantly longer to get to the position which provides the Council a more accurate and up to date position on the investment need.

10.4.2

It is likely to take over 4 years without the proposals set out within this paper. This would pose a high risk of delays to assessing and completion of appraisals to the housing stock and subsequently risking the council’s ability to deliver against the priorities as set out in the report above in a timely manner. Therefore, this option is not recommended as a way forward.

12.1.1

Members considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhood Services seeking approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

12.1.2

The level of Council housing stock with full stock condition information was less than 50%. A number of council housing estates had been identified as requiring major investment and therefore there was a requirement to undertake more detailed stock surveys and investment appraisal work.

12.1.3

Discussion took place on the surveys, whether they would be carried out using a statutory assessment form, or the Council’s own criteria. Members queried whether recommendations would be provided with the results of the survey, similar to those on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Officers confirmed that the Housing Health and Safety Risk System (HHSRS) would be used as the standard for the surveys and agreed to provide a briefing session for members.

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee grants approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

Approval to utilise £4.5m of the Housing Revenue Account funding in order to commission circa 15,000 Stock Condition Surveys and associated stock appraisals by the end of the 2025/26 financial year. This will enable the Council to have a better understanding of its stock investment requirements and reflect future investment decisions within the 30-year Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The alternative option considered was to maintain delivering the Stock condition, energy performance and HHSRS surveys at the current rate of delivery (circa 6500 surveys per annum) and continue to undertake stock appraisal work within the existing resources available within the Housing Services Asset Management team, however it would take significantly longer to get to the position which provides the Council a more accurate and up to date position on the investment need.

12.4.2

It is likely to take over 4 years without the proposals set out within this paper. This would pose a high risk of delays to assessing and completion of appraisals to the housing stock and subsequently risking the council’s ability to deliver against the priorities as set out in the report above in a timely manner. Therefore, this option is not recommended as a way forward.