The Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council met on Thursday, 25 June 2026, to discuss the progress of the local plan and the implications of new social housing regulations. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Local Plan Update

Edward West, Planning Policy and Strategy Manager at Shropshire Council, provided an update on the new local plan process. He explained that Shropshire Council had commenced plan-making following a Cabinet decision on 6 May 2026. The new system is designed to be quicker, with built-in gateway checks and public engagement points. The current phase involves a scoping exercise, which is open for public feedback until early autumn. This will be followed by a self-assessment gateway check, with the main plan development scheduled to take place between autumn 2026 and August 2028. A key feature of the new system is a second gateway assessment by a planning inspector in mid-2027, and a final gateway assessment before submission for examination.

Public engagement is a crucial part of the process, with a further consultation planned for May 2027, when an early draft of the plan, including settlement numbers and preferred growth locations, will be presented. Mr. West highlighted that the current engagement is focused on broad questions about the vision for Shropshire, measurable outcomes, and how to deliver housing, employment, and other requirements, rather than specific sites or growth options.

Councillors expressed a desire for the committee to be involved at each gateway stage to ensure oversight. Rosemary Dartnall, Vice-Chairman of the committee, specifically requested that the committee be briefed before each gateway to provide comments and questions. Councillor Jon Tandy raised concerns about the potential for companies to profit from a lack of a local plan and stressed the importance of clear communication with residents about its implications. Vivienne Parry highlighted concerns from Ludlow residents regarding transport and the need for housing for young people and the elderly, expressing frustration that planning decisions sometimes deviate from initial intentions. Councillor Teri Trickett noted the comprehensive nature of the scoping paper and the initial panic caused by a map showing potential development areas, emphasizing the need for clear communication.

Mr. West confirmed that the local plan encompasses more than just housing, including economic development and employment. He also addressed concerns about the alignment with the Local Transport Plan (LTP), stating that the LTP was undergoing early consultation and was expected to be formally consulted on later in the year, with a view to approval in early 2027. The integration of agricultural considerations and the impact on agricultural land were also discussed.

The committee was assured that the call for sites map was for contextual information and that no decisions had been made on any of the sites shown. Public comments on these sites would be considered, but specific consultation on preferred sites would occur in May 2027.

Social Housing Regulator Update

Paula Mawson, Service Director for Communities and Customer, and Laura Fisher, Head of Housing, presented an update on the Social Housing Regulations Act 2023 and the inspection framework for social housing providers. Ms. Mawson explained that regulations have significantly strengthened, with councils owning housing stock, such as Shropshire Council, now being inspected alongside housing associations. Shropshire Council, which owns approximately 4,300 homes managed by STAR Housing, is subject to this inspection regime.

Laura Fisher elaborated on the Regulator of Social Housing's two core objectives: ensuring tenants live in safe, decent homes and receive quality services, and ensuring providers are financially viable, well-governed, and deliver value for money. Landlords with over 1,000 dwellings are inspected every four years. The Regulator has several standards, including safety and quality, transparency, influence and accountability (tenant voice), neighbourhood and communities, and tenancies. Providers are rated on a C1 to C4 scale, with C1 being the target for compliance.

A key point of clarification was that Shropshire Council, not STAR Housing, is the registered provider being inspected. The council is responsible for its oversight and governance of STAR Housing's delivery. Inspectors will focus on the council's management of its ALMO (Arm's Length Management Organisation).

Councillors raised questions about how the council monitors STAR Housing's performance, particularly regarding neighbourhood management and complex cases. Ms. Mawson and Ms. Fisher explained that this is achieved through tenancy satisfaction measures, a new post within the council to monitor complex case management, and audits of performance and complaints.

The committee was informed that the council has not yet been formally inspected but was part of a pilot inspection in December 2024. They also conduct a self-assessment every 12 months, which is submitted to the regulator. The importance of proactive self-referral to the regulator in case of identified issues was stressed.

Councillor James Owen suggested that committee members could participate in STAR Housing's annual door-knocking exercise to gain direct insight into residents' experiences. The presenters confirmed that the council aims for this to be business as usual rather than solely inspection ready, embedding changes across the organisation. They acknowledged potential evidence gaps nationally, such as incomplete stock condition surveys and repairs backlogs, and highlighted the significant weight placed on tenant experience.

Work Programme

Claire Braddock, Overview and Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's draft work programme for 2026-2027, developed from a workshop held on 9 June 2026. The programme includes a regular scrutiny of the local plan gateways, a post-decision scrutiny of Cornovii Developments Limited (CDL), and a review of the housing strategy. Other planned items include scrutiny of the allocations policy, statutory duties related to housing, CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) and Section 106 agreements, STAR Housing's performance, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and business plan, registered social landlords, Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) and affordable warmth initiatives, the National Affordable Housing Programme, and the Renters' Rights Act.

The committee agreed to allow the Vice-Chair, Rosemary Dartnall, and the Chair, Andy Davis, to establish working groups and task and finish groups as needed, with regular updates to the committee.

Councillor Vivienne Parry raised concerns about individual cases of private landlords seeking to evict long-term tenants, and Laura Fisher offered to discuss these cases further.

The committee also agreed to a motion to exclude the press and public from consideration of an item related to exempt minutes of the Housing Supervisory Board, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.