The Executive Councillor for Housing and the Local Plan, Councillor Stephen Conway, approved the new Housing Services Asbestos Safety Policy. This policy aims to ensure that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within Wokingham Borough Council's housing stock are identified, monitored, and managed safely and in compliance with regulations.

Housing Services Asbestos Safety Policy

The council's Housing Services Asbestos Safety Policy was approved by Councillor Stephen Conway, the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan. This new policy replaces the previous one, which was last updated in 2019. The development of this policy is a response to strengthened consumer standards introduced by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which came into force in April 2024.

The primary purpose of the policy is to establish a robust framework for managing asbestos safety risks within the council's housing stock. This includes clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and governance structures to ensure the safety of tenants, staff, contractors, and visitors. The policy mandates the identification, monitoring, and maintenance of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in council-owned properties, ensuring they are kept in a safe and compliant condition.

Key legislative and regulatory requirements underpinning the policy include the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Homes (Fit for Human Habitation) Act 2018. The policy outlines a commitment to comply with these by ensuring works are carried out by competent persons, maintaining an asbestos register, conducting necessary surveys (including refurbishment and demolition surveys), and providing essential information to those who might disturb ACMs.

The policy also details the roles and responsibilities of various parties, from the Chief Executive, who is the appointed Duty Holder, to individual tenants. It specifies that tenants are expected to allow reasonable access for surveys and works and to report any concerns regarding potential ACMs.

Governance arrangements are also outlined, including the regular reporting of asbestos safety performance to internal groups and externally to the Regulator of Social Housing. The policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner if legislative changes or service improvements necessitate it. An Equality Impact Assessment has been conducted, 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 14 August 2026.

You can find the full details of the approved policy in the Decisions 06th-Aug-2026 10.00 Executive - Individual Member Decisions document.