The Housing, Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday 13 October 2026 to discuss the council's financial position, resident engagement, empty homes, voids management, and key performance indicators. The panel received a detailed update on the council's financial position at Quarter 1 of the 2026/27 financial year, noting a forecast overspend on the General Fund and a deficit in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), largely driven by void properties. The panel also received a report from the Resident Advisory Panel (RAP) detailing their review of resident engagement. RAP presented 20 recommendations aimed at improving resident involvement, accountability, and responsiveness. Housing Services accepted all 20 recommendations in principle, and a cross-service management action plan is being developed to address them. The panel received an overview of empty homes and voids management, including the establishment of the Strategic Voids Improvement Programme to address increasing void numbers and prolonged turnaround times. A comprehensive update on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Housing Services was presented, highlighting areas of concern and prompting a detailed discussion about the presentation of KPI data and the need for contextualisation. The panel also discussed and updated its work programme for the upcoming year, agreeing to prioritise discussions on damp and mould, compliance with Awaab's Law, and the financial implications of these measures. The panel noted the significant financial challenges facing the council, particularly the forecast overspend and the reliance on Exceptional Financial Support. They also acknowledged the extensive work undertaken by the Resident Advisory Panel and accepted their recommendations in principle, with a commitment to developing a management action plan. The ongoing efforts to improve voids management and the challenges in achieving timely re-letting of properties were also highlighted. The discussion on KPIs underscored the need for clearer, more contextualised data to enable effective scrutiny and drive service improvements.