Decision

1. To renew the Local Lettings Plan for Edward Wilson House, covering first and all subsequent lets of the 114 no. rented properties within Edward Wilson House for an initial 12-month period (until 31st May 2027)
   2. To review the Local Lettings Plan for Edward Wilson House in February 2027 to determine whether any amendment, extension or removal of the Local Lettings Plan is required.
   
   

Reasons for the decision

This decision has taken to assist the Council in meeting the objectives of our latest Corporate Plan by creating building positive connections within our communities, as well as making people feel safer and improving our neighbourhoods. The previous Local Lettings Plan was adopted in 2012, and, following the Council’s decision to bring Cheltenham Borough Homes back in house in October 2023, Cheltenham Borough Council officers have reviewed live Local Lettings Plans alongside relevant ASB, lettings, tenancy sustainment and housing need data to inform the decision to renew the Local Lettings Plan for Edward Wilson House.
Reviewing crime data provided by Gloucestershire Constabulary around criminal activity in Hesters Way reflects a clear clustering of criminal activity around both Scott and Edward Wilson House. However, a closer inspection of other statistics reflects that negative community outcomes are more serious at Edward Wilson House. For example, compared to similar profiles of CBC stock in the surrounding area (Scott House and Monkscroft), Edward Wilson House had the highest number of ASB cases created (29), contacts with the ASB team (1,014) and CBC tenants contacting the ASB team (158) between April 2020- August 2025, showing a long-term trend of anti-social behaviour in this area.
Reviewing Lettings data reflected that, compared with similar CBC stock profiles as above, Edward Wilson House had an annual turnover of 11 properties per year (compared to 9 at Monkscroft, and 10 at Scott House) between 2020/21- 2024/25, reflecting significant community disruption. Negative tenancy termination reasons were also significantly higher at Edward Wilson House- 25 between 2020/21- 2024/25 than both Scott House (9) and Monkscroft (13) respectively over the same time frame. Anecdotally, CBC’s ASB team has reported that Edward Wilson House, owing in large part due the design and size of the block, remains challenging from the perspective of tenancy and neighbourhood management.
On these grounds, and following discussions with officers from the ASB, empty homes (lettings), tenancy sustainment and Housing Options teams, officers were unanimously of the view that the Local Lettings Plan at Edward Wilson House should be reviewed and tightened to try and alleviate the longstanding anti-social behaviour and criminal activity affecting the residents of Edward Wilson House

Alternative options considered

The Council considered removing the Local Lettings Plan at Edward Wilson House, thereby following the course of action taken with nearby Scott House. However, following a comparison of ASB, tenancy and lettings statistics related to Scott House, Edward Wilson House and Monkscroft (all CBC- owned blocks of a similar size and profile) as detailed above, officers determined that it would be appropriate to renew, rather than remove, the Local Lettings Plan for Edward Wilson House to aid community cohesion in this area.
The Council considered maintaining the same Local Lettings Plan that was adopted in 2012. However, given changes to legislation (such as the 2023 Social Housing Regulatory Act and associated Consumer Standards), and the Council’s commitment to creating safe and vibrant communities, officers agreed that the Local Lettings Plan should be updated to reflect this current context, as well as using the latest Local Lettings Plans templates agreed by Council officers.