The Housing – Foundations for the Future Report (Appendix A of the Agenda) sets out plans for the next six months on the road to towards a flagship housing service.

Activity would centre around three key actions. An operational service review which would focus on two keys areas of service including Sheltered Housing and Estate Management. Another key area for Housing is around improving our communication and reporting. The third action is about ensuring internal audit recommendations are implemented.

The report acknowledged some of the past issues within housing that have had a detrimental effect on the service as well as some more positive improvements that have been achieved. It also considered the challenges ahead. All of which were a priority in addition to the day to day management of such a large and complex service area.

More importantly it looked towards the future and set out the foundations on which to build a flag ship housing service.

The Members congratulated Tracey Lilley on her new role and the document (Appendix A of the Agenda) that had been produced and echoed that Members would be pleased to help out where needed. 

The Chair congratulated Tracey Lilley on her new role but also the work undertaken by Angela Abbott, Nicola Marsh, Stuart Morris and the Housing team.  The team had shown themselves to be working very complimentary and collaboratively.    

The Chair proposed that this item comes back for review in March 2020 to see the progression.   

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Kerslake to agree the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

R1. Members to approve the contents of the Housing – Foundations for the Future Report contained in Appendix A of the report and authorise the Interim Director of Housing and Enforcement to undertake the work detailed in the report.

Reasons for Recommendation

The report sets out plans for the next six months to begin the journey to a flagship housing service. The work identified was considered essential in order to build the foundations on which to achieve the aims.