Agenda item

To consider the changes introduced by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the Council’s proposed Action Plan in response to Act and new Consumer Standards introduced by the Housing Regulator.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which introduced wide ranging changes to the provision and management of social housing.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the work being undertaken by the Council to prepare for the adoption of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, and its implementation through the Regulator of Social Housing and the new Consumer Standards and the Housing Ombudsmen, be noted.

2.          That the Housing Consumer Standards Action Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

3.          That a new Member-led Executive Housing Working Group be established, to oversee the delivery of the Housing Consumer Standards Action Plan.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which introduced wide ranging changes to the provision and management of social housing.

The Chair (Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing & Housing Development) advised that she was sure that Executive Members would share her view that managing safe, secure, and quality homes was a top priority for the Council, which was why associated funds had been set aside to this end within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan.

The Chair commented that, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the Government published its Social Housing Green Paper.  This signalled increased governance for social housing, with particular focuses on safety, along with providing transparency and empowering residents to engage in the management of their homes.  The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 laid the foundation for how social housing would be managed and regulated.

The Chair explained that the Council, as a Registered Social Landlord, would be subject to these developments and the report outlined the main changes, along with details of the Council’s response and preparation following the introduction of the new legislation and the new Consumer Standards being introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing.  The report also included how the Council continued to invest in its social housing and how it was working to develop and strengthen the approach to the management of tenants’ homes, as set out within Paragraphs 3.41 to 3.52.

The Chair drew attention to a proposal in the report regarding the introduction of a new Executive Housing Working Group, to help maintain clear strategic oversight of the Council’s response to the Social Housing Regulation Act, and, equally of importance, to ensure the Council delivered the improvements that it committed to, with a particular focus on residents’ safety and providing more opportunities for improved engagement, co-production of services and scrutiny.

The Strategic Director (RP) added that, since the report had been drafted, the Government and the Regulator had published a finalised set of Consumer Standards, to come into force on 1 April 2024, including the Safety and Quality Standard; the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard; the Neighbourhood and Community Standard; and the Tenancy Standard.

The Strategic Director (RP) advised that the Government was still consulting on the Competency and Conduct Standard.  The consultation period was closing on 2 April 2024 and the Council would be providing a response to the consultation.  Alongside the published standards, the Regulator had also published a Code of Practice, which highlighted the type of evidence that would be expected from Registered Social Housing Providers to demonstrate that the requirements for each of the standards were being met.  Work was underway at SBC on the necessary evidence gathering, and some of this evidence would flow from the actions set out in the Action Plan.

The Strategic Director (RP) explained that, in addition to the standards, over 60 associated documents had been published since the end of February 2024, which included details as to how the framework was going to be regulated, provided information about the powers of the Regulator, and set out details of any necessary enforcement action.  Officers were working through those documents with a view to enhancing the Action Plan where necessary.  Progress against the Action Plan would be reported to the Executive Housing Working Group on a monthly basis.

The Strategic Director (RP) stated that the Regulator had started to notify Registered Social Housing Providers about when they were due to receive an inspection.  Once SBC had been notified of an inspection date this would be shared with Executive Members.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the work being undertaken by the Council to prepare for the adoption of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, and its implementation through the Regulator of Social Housing and the new Consumer Standards and the Housing Ombudsmen, be noted.

2.          That the Housing Consumer Standards Action Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

3.          That a new Member-led Executive Housing Working Group be established, to oversee the delivery of the Housing Consumer Standards Action Plan.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.