URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1992

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy and Housing concerning options and recommendations for an early implementation of the management arrangements for Council Housing and other related services that were set out in a report to Cabinet and approved on 9th July 2025, due to take effect in 2027.   Cabinet noted that an earlier termination date for the current contract and therefore an earlier implementation date of 1st April 2026 of the arrangements set out in the report to Cabinet on 9th July 2025 was now recommended.  This was in order to safeguard services and enable the benefits of the new service models to be brought forward.  It was also to address challenges and issues within the current contractual arrangements which were compromising service delivery and outcomes for Council tenants and other residents receiving services through the current arrangements.   Members noted that during the last eight years since the contract with ForHousing had been entered into in 2017, the social housing sector had experienced and continued to experience significant unprecedented change, including sector-wise increases in the volume and cost of repairs and a new proactive inspection regime.  Members were reminded that a formal tenant consultation had been conducted between September and December 2024 on the future options for service delivery and that 75% of respondents had expressed a preference for the in-sourced model of delivery which had been approved at Cabinet on 9th July 2025 to take effect in 2027.  However, since that decision had been taken, circumstances had changed and the current provider, ForHousing, had confirmed that they cannot sustain the level of service required until 2027, due to the increase in both the demand and cost of providing the required service and extensive new legislation and regulation of social housing.  Therefore, the recommendation was to end the contract early by March 2026 and bring forward the new arrangements agreed at Cabinet on 9th July 2025 to be delivered from April 2026.   Visiting Members:  Councillors Lynn Gibbon, Charles Hardy, Keith Millar, Martin Loftus, John Stockton and Adrian Waddelove spoke in relation to the item.   Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal.   Cabinet Members reiterated that the recommendations related to the timing of the transition and the ongoing wellbeing of tenants.    It was highlighted that early termination of the contract was by mutual agreement and that discussions with the current provider about the future delivery arrangements and mobilisation had commenced.  Both parties were committed to continuing to work together on the transitional arrangements to minimise the disruption to tenants and service users.  This collaboration was felt the best way to safeguard services, protect tenants and prepare for the future. Cabinet acknowledged the changing circumstances and the need to take back control in order to protect tenants.  They noted that in 2023/24 there had been a 12% increase in the cost of repairs over the previous year and that in 2024/25 this increase had risen by 28%.   Members acknowledged the risks in delaying the transition which included potential impact on tenants and service delivery, disruption to the workforce, tight procurement timelines and potential breach of the Council’s statutory obligations.  However, it was noted that these were being actively managed through a detailed risk register. Cabinet reiterated that by taking control sooner the Council would be able to deliver more responsive, joined up services which would meet the needs of tenants.   At this point, Councillor Gittins drew attention to the confidential appendices which accompanied the Cabinet report and indicated her intention to move the meeting into private session in order to consider the content of the confidential appendices in further detail.  Following this, the meeting would then reconvene in public session to consider the recommendations within the Cabinet report at section 2.

Date of Decision: August 12, 2025