The Cabinet has decided to approve the preferred options for the future delivery of housing-related services following consultation with Council Housing tenants and leaseholders.

URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1984

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To ask Cabinet to approve the preferred options for the future delivery of the following housing-related services: ·         Management and maintenance of Council housing ·         Homelessness support ·         Home improvement agency ·         Housing investment account   To seek the authority to implement the preferred options to ensure appropriate, compliant and fit-for-purpose service delivery arrangements are in place for the future when current arrangements end.

Content: To ask Cabinet to approve the preferred options for the future delivery of the following housing-related services: ·         Management and maintenance of Council housing ·         Homelessness support ·         Home improvement agency ·         Housing investment account   To seek the authority to implement the preferred options to ensure appropriate, compliant and fit-for-purpose service delivery arrangements are in place for the future when current arrangements end. Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy and Housing which outlined the options and recommendations for the future delivery of the Council’s Housing Management and Maintenance services, Homelessness Support services, Home Improvement Agency services and the lease of homes in the Housing Investment Account. This followed consultation with Council Housing tenants and leaseholders to seek their views on options for housing management and maintenance services.   Members were remined that Cabinet had agreed to consult with tenants and residents in September 2024 in order to understand their views around the future management of the Council’s housing stock.  A 12-week formal consultation took place from September to December 2024 and the options, response rate and headline results were outlined in section 4 (paragraphs 4.9 to 4.12).  In summary, 75% of respondents preferred option A – Housing owned and managed by the Council, with the repairs and maintenance service delivered by an external specialist contractor.  In addition, Cabinet noted that the results of the consultation had been considered by Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2025 and committee members had largely been pleased with the response rate, the engagement process and felt that tenants had been listened to.   Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation.   Visiting Members:  Councillors Martin Loftus and Charles Hardy spoke in relation to the item.   Cabinet welcomed the report and the proposals which they noted had received clear strong support from the Council’s tenants.  In relation to the appointment of external specialist providers to deliver repairs and maintenance services, it was reiterated that this would be undertaken through the normal procurement process, giving all interested parties the opportunity to submit a bid going forward.  Councillor Warner also confirmed that condition surveys were going at pace and would be completed in an orderly manner.   DECIDED:    That   1)            the following future delivery models for each of the services forming the current Housing Management Contract be approved in that: a. Council Housing Management Services be delivered by the Council, with the repairs and maintenance services delivered by external specialist contractors; b. Homelessness Support Services for Temporary Accommodation, Out of Hours homelessness statutory duty services, the Supported accommodation gateway, homelessness prevention services, advice and information and ‘floating support’ be delivered by the Council;   c. Homelessness Support Services for young people rough sleeping, and supported accommodation be delivered by external specialist contractors;   d. Home Improvement Agency administration and management be delivered by the Council and physical works delivered through external contracts;   e. Housing Investment Account properties be leased by the Council to an external registered provider;   2)            the Director of Economy and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning and the Director of Finance, be delegated authority to: a. implement all appropriate operational arrangements and transition plans for the services to be delivered by the Council;   b. undertake appropriate procurement processes including contract award to support the implementation of the recommended service delivery models; and 3)            the establishment of a Member Housing Services Transition Board, to be chaired by the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, to provide oversight and strategic direction to implement the recommendations be approved.   Reason for Decision   As set out in detail in section 3 of the report, paragraphs 3.1 to 3.6.   Alternative Options   A full range of options for the delivery of each service has been considered and a summary presented in this report. Details of the options considered can be found in the Service Review Appendices A-D. The options which best meet the agreed criteria and provide the best outcomes for tenants, leaseholders and users supported by consultation outcomes on housing management and maintenance services, are reflected in the Recommendations section in this report. For this reason no other option other than those set out in section 2 of this report is recommended.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025