The Executive Member for Housing and the Local Plan, Councillor Stephen Conway, approved the Housing Landlord Service Legionella Safety Policy. This policy establishes a framework for managing water hygiene and legionella risks within council-managed homes.

Housing Landlord Service Legionella Safety Policy

Councillor Stephen Conway approved the Housing Landlord Service Legionella Safety Policy. This new policy aims to ensure all water systems in homes managed by Wokingham Borough Council are monitored, well-maintained, and safe. It replaces and updates the council's previous policy from 2021, incorporating recommendations from a compliance health check conducted by Pennington Choices. The policy is designed to protect tenants, staff, contractors, and visitors from the risks associated with legionella bacteria, scalding, and other waterborne hazards.

The policy outlines the council's legal and moral obligations under various pieces of legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Housing Act 2004, and the more recent Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. It details specific requirements for managing water systems, such as conducting regular legionella risk assessments, maintaining appropriate water temperatures (cold water below 20°C, hot water above 50°C, and stored hot water at 60°C or above), and addressing issues like redundant pipework and shower heads.

Key roles and responsibilities are defined, with the Chief Executive as the overall Duty Holder, and specific responsibilities assigned to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, the Service Director for Housing Services, the Strategic Asset Manager, the Building Compliance Manager, and Compliance Officers. Contractors are also assigned responsibilities for carrying out works and providing necessary documentation, while tenants are expected to allow access for inspections and report any concerns.

The policy also details governance arrangements, including performance reporting to internal groups and externally to the Regulator of Social Housing. Quality assurance measures, such as internal audits and third-party checks, are in place. The policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner if legislative changes or other significant factors necessitate it. An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed, concluding that a full assessment is not required, as the policy is expected to have a neutral or positive impact across all protected characteristics. The policy will be effective from 17 July 2026.