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Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee - Tuesday, 8 September 2026 - 7.00 pm
September 8, 2026 at 7:00 pm Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee met on Tuesday 8 September 2026, noting the Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report 2025-26 and approving the commencement of a consultation on amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme, alongside a revenue budget growth of £150,000. The committee also noted the projected revenue budget overspend of £0.514m for Quarter 1 of 2026-27, assuming the delivery of £3.361m in mitigation actions, and received an update on the capital programme.
Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report 2025-26
The committee noted the Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report for 2025-26. The report indicated an increase in completed complaints to 50, up from 32 the previous year, with 72% being responded to within the council's 25-day target. Key themes emerging from complaints included the need for clearer and more timely communication, stronger processes and case coordination, and a continued focus on person-centred practice. The most frequently raised issue was the quality of social care assessment, accounting for 14 complaints. The report also highlighted that 23 complaints were partly upheld, 14 were not upheld, and 13 were fully upheld.
Commence Consultation on Amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme
The committee resolved to note the proposed amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme prior to consultation commencing and approved a revenue budget growth of £150,000 in 2027/28, funded from the Invest to Save Reserve, to facilitate this consultation. The proposed amendments aim to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and provide more cost-effective solutions. Key changes include retaining a reasonable preference
for homeless households who secure private rented accommodation, altering residency criteria to five out of the last seven years with allowances for breaks, and introducing partial Choice Based Lettings for certain groups. The consultation will also address provisions for households fleeing domestic abuse, care leavers, single homeless households, and those in temporary accommodation for over five years.
Revenue and Capital Forecast Quarter 1 2026-27
The committee noted that the current revenue budget projected overspend is £0.514m, assuming the delivery of £3.361m of mitigation actions. The primary drivers for this overspend are demand-led pressures, particularly within housing services due to high demand for homelessness and temporary accommodation, and within adult social care due to the cost and complexity of care packages, especially for learning disability services and transitions from children's services. The capital programme remains on track with a committed budget of £20.4 million forecast to be delivered within budget.
Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report
The committee noted and received the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2025/26, acknowledging the positive assurance regarding safeguarding arrangements and partnership effectiveness in Richmond. The report highlighted that safeguarding arrangements remain strong and effective, supported by committed partnership working across adult social care, health, police, housing, fire service, and the voluntary and community sector. Key achievements included convening a Voluntary and Community Sector Safeguarding Forum, strengthening engagement with faith communities, and delivering vulnerability training to housing staff. The report also noted that self-neglect is the most commonly recorded type of abuse in Richmond, followed by neglect and acts of omission, and financial or material abuse.
Annual Social Housing Improvement Plan Review - Paragon Asra Housing
The committee noted the Annual Social Housing Improvement Plan Review presented by Paragon Asra Housing. The presentation detailed PA Housing's focus on improving repair services, providing safer and more sustainable homes, strengthening resident involvement, and enhancing transparency. Key performance updates included strong emergency repair completion rates (over 96%) and routine repairs at 88.9%. Resident satisfaction with completed repairs remained high at 95%. Investment in homes and sustainability saw £59 million invested across PA Housing's stock, with £1.1 million specifically in Richmond for upgrades in 209 homes and blocks. Looking ahead, PA Housing plans to double expenditure in Richmond in 2026/27, improving 359 homes and blocks.
Committee Work Programme
The committee noted the Committee Work Programme.
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on 16 June 2026 and 30 July 2026 were agreed, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.
Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Apologies were received from Councillor MacDonald, substituted by Councillor Chard, and from Councillor Vassileva. There were no declarations of interest.
Petitions and Ward Concerns
There were no petitions or ward concerns raised at the meeting.
Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees Update
This item was for information only.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedAdult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee decided to approve recommendations on 08/09/2026. There were no Declarations of Interest.
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Apologies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council received apologies from Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Vassileva, and noted Councillor Chard’s substitution for Councillor MacDonald. This was approved on 08 September 2026.
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Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees Update
Recommendations ApprovedAdult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee approved recommendations on 08/09/2026. This item was for information only.
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Ward Concerns
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided that there were no Ward Concerns. This was recorded on 08/09/2026.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee approved the Private Rented Sector Offer Policy on 30 July 2026. The policy provides a framework for using private rented accommodation to discharge the main housing duty. The committee will receive an update on the policy's implementation in mid-2027.
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Annual Social Housing Improvement Plan Review - Paragon Asra Housing
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved recommendations on 08 September 2026. The committee received an annual presentation on the Social Housing Improvement Plan from PA Housing.
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Revenue and Capital Forecast Quarter 1 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee noted the projected revenue budget overspend of £0.514m, assuming £3.361m of mitigation actions, and the latest position on the capital programme on 08 September 2026. The committee approved recommendations to note the revenue budget projected overspend and the capital programme position.
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Commence Consultation on Amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee approved recommendations on 08 September 2026. The committee noted proposed amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme prior to consultation and approved revenue budget growth of £150,000 in 2027/28. This budget will be funded from the Invest to Save Reserve.
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Committee Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee noted the Committee Work Programme on 08 September 2026. The Committee Work Programme includes proposed changes for the Richmond 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing contract, proposals for Richmond Corporate Plan actions and KPIs for 2026/27, endorsement of the Richmond Co-production Charter, an update on the Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Strategy, and adoption of the Ten Year Plus One Leasing Model for Temporary Accommodation.
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Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee noted and received the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2025/26 on 08 September 2026. The committee also noted positive assurance regarding safeguarding arrangements and partnership effectiveness in Richmond. The report detailed achievements including convening a Voluntary and Community Sector Safeguarding Forum, strengthening engagement with faith communities, and delivering vulnerability training to housing staff.
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Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee noted the Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report 2025-26 on 08 September 2026. The report was approved. Learning from complaints focused on improving communication, ensuring advocacy, refresher training, and developing a new policy on access to records of deceased service users.
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