The Housing Scrutiny Committee of Camden Council met on Wednesday 1 July 2026 to review the performance of the Homes and Communities Directorate, discuss tenant satisfaction, and consider updates on the Housing Investment Strategy. The committee was scheduled to examine the directorate's performance over the 2025-26 financial year, review tenant satisfaction measures, and receive an update on the implementation of the Housing Investment Strategy.

Insight, Learning and Impact Report – Homes and Communities Directorate - Quarter 4/End of Year 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to review the Insight, Learning and Impact Report for the Homes and Communities Directorate for the end of the 2025-26 financial year. This report focuses on the performance of each division within the directorate, with council directors providing narratives on key areas of challenge, opportunity, and learning. The report was divided into three sections: a summary table of service responses, detailed narratives of those responses, and a data dashboard. The report highlighted challenges such as high demand for anti-social behaviour services, leaseholder arrears, and recruitment difficulties within the Housing division. Opportunities included the renewal of the Mobysoft system for income collection and the development of a wider payment and billing transformation programme. The Communities and Housing Support division faced challenges from rising homelessness demand and pressure on temporary accommodation, while opportunities lay in new outreach arrangements and streamlining licensing processes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Property Services reported challenges related to the pace and scale of new statutory requirements, heating issues, and budgetary pressures from disrepair cases. Opportunities included the delivery of a significant capital investment programme and the development of digital systems to improve resident experience.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures and Tenant Perception Survey

The committee was scheduled to consider Camden's Tenant Satisfaction Measure (TSM) results for the 2025/26 financial year. These measures, set by the Regulator of Social Housing, include both tenant perception survey results and performance data from management information. The report explained how TSMs are calculated and what they reveal about housing service quality. It was noted that TSMs follow national standards and reflect performance across the full year, differing from the Council's regular performance indicators. The report indicated that while overall satisfaction scores remained broadly comparable to national and peer group medians, there were specific areas for improvement. Tenants expressed the highest satisfaction with home safety, while satisfaction was lowest regarding complaints handling and anti-social behaviour (ASB) management. Repairs, both overall and the speed of completion, were identified as having the strongest impact on overall satisfaction. The report also highlighted that tenants were less satisfied with the Council's responsiveness to their views and actions taken.

Housing Investment Strategy Update

An update on the implementation of the Housing Investment Strategy was scheduled for discussion. This strategy outlines the Council's ambitions for delivering and acquiring homes, as well as improving its housing stock, with the overarching aim of ensuring the borough has decent, safe, warm and family-friendly housing to support our communities. The report was expected to provide an update on the capital investment programme, including new projects commissioned for the 2026/27 financial year. It was also set to detail progress on Decent Homes compliance and stock condition surveys, alongside updates on the Quality Homes, Family Friendly, and acquisition programmes. The strategy aims to meet regulatory requirements, generate resources for investment, identify optimal solutions for underperforming homes, and increase the number of better-quality homes. The report indicated that £204 million had been invested by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, with further projects commissioned. The strategy also includes plans for significant investment in district heating systems across various estates.

Work Programme and Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme and forward plan for the upcoming year. This report suggested a possible work programme for the scrutiny committee, inviting members to propose any additional items for inclusion. The terms of reference for the committee were noted, which include scrutinising the Council's policies and the provision, planning, financing, management, and performance of housing services. The report also outlined the possibility of establishing time-limited, task-focused panels and reminded members of the arrangements for co-opted members.

Appointment of Co-opted Members

A report was presented regarding the process of co-opting members to the Housing Scrutiny Committee for the 2026/27 municipal year. The Council's Constitution allows for non-voting co-optees to be appointed to scrutiny committees, contributing to broader discussions and bringing external expertise and lived experience. The committee was asked to approve candidates for these positions.