Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 16, 2025

Purpose: This report provides an update for Cabinet on the Council’s progress in improvements to its social housing management and maintenance and in ensuring Council tenants live in safe, secure homes with access to high quality landlord services. This includes its response to the Regulator of Social Housing's findings. The Council was awarded the lowest consumer grade, C4, in October 2024.  

Content: For the reasons set out in this report and its appendices, Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Monitoring Officer, the Mayor and the Lead Member for Council Housing Improvements, to agree the terms for and entry into a Voluntary Undertaking with the Regulator of Social Housing. ii)  Note The Council’s progress to date on the development and implementation of its response to the Regulator of Social Housing’s report; and iii)  Note building on lessons learned during the first year, the Housing Services Improvement Programme plan will be updated to embed all necessary actions that strengthen service delivery, ensure compliance and competence, and 3 provide robust controls for consistently high-quality outcomes for tenants, while meeting the requirements of any Voluntary Undertaking commitment.   Alternatives considered   a)  Do nothing: given the C4 rating, it is not possible for the Council to do nothing. Under the terms of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, the Council is required to comply with the Regulator’s judgement and reach compliance with 13 the Consumer Standards. C4 and C3 ratings are non-compliant, so in order to achieve compliance, the Council would be required to meet a C2 or C1 grade.