Regulator publishes findings of councils’ housing services inspection

It has awarded both councils the C2 rating - the second tier on a scale of C1-C4, with C1 being the target grade for all social landlords.

The regulator is satisfied the councils’ have a timely and responsive repairs service and noted a significant reduction in a repairs backlog over the last two years. This follows an additional £1.6m investment by both councils.

A positive council culture of fairness and respect for tenants, tenant feedback positively shaping future services, and a responsive complaints system were among the other areas acknowledged.

The judgement says a key area both councils must focus on is bringing all homes up to the required standards.

The regulator is assured both councils have accurate, up-to-date information about the condition of its homes. However, it notes that at the time of the inspection, 16% of Babergh District Council’s homes, and 13% of Mid Suffolk District Council’s homes, did not meet the Decent Homes Standard - a set of minimum conditions covering safety, repair, services, and insulation.

An improvement programme is already under way at both councils to ensure all homes meet this in the next year, as they aim to achieve the C1 standard.

Meanwhile, the regulator said that while it has assurance both councils are meeting health and safety compliance, additional work is needed around record-keeping. Both councils are already making processes more robust to address this.

Cllr Ruth Hendry, Babergh’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Our priority as a new administration three years ago was to do better for our tenants. We invested nearly £1m to reduce the repairs backlog and have completely transformed our housing services. The brilliant work of our Tenant Board has also been invaluable, and I want to thank them and our staff.

“This judgement reflects the progress made - but we know there is still much work to do. 

“Our stock condition survey had shown us where we needed to focus, and we are prioritising work to ensure all our homes meet the required standards as soon as possible.”

Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk’s cabinet member for housing and property, said: “We have transformed our housing service, listening carefully to tenants throughout, and invested a significant amount to cut the repairs backlog in the last few years.

“This rigorous inspection reflects the good progress made, but we know there is still more work to do. 

“We have been transparent about the number of homes where we still have work to do, and there has been an ongoing improvement programme to put this right. Our tenants are our priority, and everyone deserves to live in a safe and decent home.”

The RSH regulates the social housing sector to ensure social landlords, such as Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, provide quality homes and services.

In awarding the C2 grade, it considered all four of its consumer standards:

• Safety and Quality - How we ensure the safety, quality and decency of tenants’ homes.
• Transparency, Influence and Accountability - How we provide information, listen to tenants, and act on their views.
• Neighbourhood and Community - How we work with other organisations to help ensure tenants live in safe neighbourhoods.
• Tenancy - How we allocate and let homes and manage tenancies.

The regulator was satisfied the councils had procedures in place to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in neighbourhoods where there are council homes.

It said the councils were also meeting the required standards in how it allocates and manages tenancies, and complaints are addressed fairly, promptly and effectively.

The councils must now set out an action plan addressing the regulator’s findings, with a report being presented to November cabinet meetings.

Pictured: Cllr Ruth Hendry and Cllr Richard Winch