The Housing Scrutiny Commission met to discuss supported housing proposals, repairs performance, and the apprentice programme. The commission was also scheduled to review its work programme and discuss other urgent business.

Supported Housing Proposals

The commission was scheduled to discuss a report assessing the need for supported housing for Leicester City Council tenants with substance, alcohol dependencies or mental health needs. The report also covers legislation introduced by central government to regulate supported housing, specifically the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023¹.

The report noted that there are limited options for LCC tenants who require supported housing, which is placing additional pressure on services. It was noted that tenants repeatedly fail tenancies due to rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, or abandoned tenancies.

The report outlined a two-year plan for supported housing in Leicester, including:

• 11 units of trainer accommodation for low needs/low risk residents in 2024/25.
• 24 units of medium risk short term supported housing in 2025/26.
• 36 units of high-risk long term supported housing in 2025/26.

The report also included a feasibility study for the potential change of use of 100 Welford Road from HRA² property to supported housing. The building currently contains 5 flats and 6 bedsits. The proposal is to create a supported housing unit for 9 single residents, each with their own self-contained flat. It was noted that the property has a history of anti-social behaviour with a particular issue relating to drugs.

The report considered three options:

1. Do nothing.
2. The council to identify buildings to be repurposed or purchased for supported housing.
3. The council to look at commissioning leased-based options of supported housing.

Repairs Performance

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the performance of the Repairs and Maintenance Team throughout 2024-25. The report details challenges faced, such as changes in legislation, recruitment, and increased demand, and outlines improvement actions and projected timelines for reducing outstanding repairs.

The report notes that the council has around 19,500 properties and 1,700 leaseholders across the city. Repairs are generally reported via Housing Online, Customer Services, complaints, or internally by officers. Repairs are categorised into three main priorities:

• Priority 1: Emergency repairs (24-hour response).
• Priority 2: Routine repairs (10 working days response).
• Priority 3: Programmed repairs (8 to 52 weeks response).

The report states that there were 10,897 repairs outstanding, with 4,849 out of category. The percentage of all repairs completed within category was 75%, against a target of 85%. The percentage of emergency repairs completed within category was 86%, against a target of 90%.

The report also provides an update on damp and mould. It notes that there were 1,787 repairs outstanding, with 1,514 out of category. The percentage of all repairs completed within category was 24.6%, against a target of 85%.

The report outlines several improvements being implemented to increase capacity and reduce cancellations, including the use of contractors, increased performance expectations, and the availability of overtime for repairs staff.

Apprentice Programme & Women in Construction

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the delivery of the Women in Construction programme and the craft apprentice recruitment for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The Women in Construction programme was run for one week during February half term at Leicester College, and for a further week in March 2025 at the council’s own Construction Training Centre of Excellence. Nearly 130 women attended a variety of sessions.

The report notes that the council has extended its apprenticeship programme from 30 to 50 posts. In 2024, the council advertised 18 apprentice vacancies and received 326 applications. The 18 successful candidates included 3 BME³ candidates, 2 LACs/care leavers, 2 candidates with disabilities, 1 candidate from LCC’s own Leicester to Work (Neighbourhood Improvement) programme and 1 Armed Forces candidate. In 2025, the council is advertising for 10 new apprenticeships in Roofing to meet a need in the service provided by Langley, and a further 2 x Electrical, 2 x Gas and 2 x Carpentry.

Work Programme

The commission was scheduled to consider its work programme and make suggestions for additional items.