The Housing Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to consider its work programme for the 2025-2026 municipal year and to hear from social landlords about their performance and communications with residents. The meeting was also set to include a discussion on potential recommendations to Cabinet stemming from the Commission's work.

Review of Social Landlord Communications and Performance

The Commission was scheduled to hear from representatives of several social landlords operating in Southwark. These organisations include Clarion Housing Association, Hexagon Housing Association, Hyde Housing Association, L&Q, Leathermarket JMB, Notting Hill Genesis, Peabody, Southern Housing, and Wandle Housing Association. The discussions were expected to cover their approaches to key issues such as Awaab's Law, repair response times, damp and mould performance, and anti-social behaviour (ASB) and community safety. This agenda item aims to scrutinise how these landlords communicate with residents and partners, and to assess their overall performance.

Commission Discussion of Potential Recommendations to Cabinet

A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing potential recommendations that the Housing Scrutiny Commission might put forward to the Cabinet. These recommendations would be based on the Commission's findings and work undertaken throughout the 2025-2026 municipal year. The Commission's role is to review and scrutinise council functions and performance, and to make reports and recommendations to the Cabinet.

Work Programme 2025-2026

The Commission was scheduled to consider its work programme for the 2025-2026 municipal year. This involves outlining the topics and areas of focus for the Commission's scrutiny activities over the coming year. The work programme details the housing service areas within the Commission's remit, which include Housing Needs and Support, Landlord Services, Southwark Construction, and Repairs and Maintenance. It also outlines specific areas of focus such as delivering Southwark's Good Landlord Plan, managing council homes, housing allocations, resident involvement, housing maintenance, fire safety, and new council homes.

The report pack also indicated that the Commission would review the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 December 2025. The minutes from that meeting detailed discussions on the challenges and context surrounding housing delivery in Southwark, including presentations from officers and partner-developers. Topics covered included the impact of economic factors on development viability, the role of Section 106 agreements, and the challenges of meeting housing targets. The minutes also noted discussions on the review of district heating and related issues, and an update on the progress of the Good Landlord Plan.