The City Management and Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to consider updates from the Cabinet Members for City Management and Housing and Regeneration. A key item on the agenda was an overview of the operation, maintenance, and billing of the council's housing heating systems, focusing on how the council was preparing to meet new regulatory, financial, and resident service requirements. The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme.

Update from the Cabinet Member for City Management

Councillor Tim Mitchell, the Cabinet Member for City Management, was scheduled to provide an update on his portfolio. This update was expected to cover several key areas. Public realm schemes, including major projects like Carnaby Street and Berkeley Square South, were to be discussed, with further details provided on schemes in scope, review criteria, and emerging findings. The council's approach to cycling schemes was also on the agenda, with an update on recently delivered, in-progress, and pipeline cycle routes. The new highways contract awarded to FM Conway, which commenced on 1 October 2026, was also scheduled for discussion. The report pack indicated that the council had met with dockless bike providers to discuss better management of bikes across Westminster and had significantly increased enforcement against poorly parked bikes. Additionally, the council's proactive approach to flood management through Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) was to be detailed, including completed projects and future plans for Maida Vale. An update on the council's progress towards its net zero targets was also anticipated, alongside information on the council's zero-tolerance approach to graffiti and efforts to improve air quality through its Air Quality Action Plan 2025-30. Emerging issues such as water management in response to drought conditions and the council's stance on electric vehicle charging from domestic power supplies were also scheduled for consideration.

Update from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration

Councillor David Harvey, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, was scheduled to present an update on his portfolio. A significant focus was to be placed on the procurement of new contracts for repairs, maintenance, and housing services, alongside a new Housing Management System. A review of proposed Strategic Alliance arrangements, involving residents, officers, and councillors, was intended to shape these changes, aiming for better communication, contractor accountability, and value for money. The ongoing pressure on temporary accommodation was also to be addressed, with proposals for changes to the Allocations Scheme and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, including the potential to make Private Rented Sector Offers (PRSOs). The council's commitment to supporting key workers was to be outlined through a dedicated housing delivery plan. Current and emerging issues were also scheduled for discussion, including ward walkabouts undertaken over the summer to address resident concerns, and the development of a programme to address overheating in homes. An update on the Asset Strategy and Major Works restructure was planned, alongside information on social housing and heat networks regulatory updates, including the Competence and Conduct Standard and Awaab's Law. The Housing Ombudsman's notification regarding the council's complaint handling was also to be discussed. Decisions scheduled to be taken included the publication of projected social housing lettings for 2026-27, the approach to supporting residents experiencing domestic abuse, the procurement strategy for Rough Sleeping Supported Accommodation, arrangements for temporary accommodation leasing, and revisions to the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Housing Allocation Scheme.

Overview of the Operation, Maintenance and Billing of Housing Heating Systems

The committee was scheduled to scrutinise the operation, maintenance, and billing of Housing's heat networks. This item was intended to provide an overview of the council's 67 heat networks, which serve over 7,000 homes. The report pack indicated that the majority of these networks are gas-fuelled and many have equipment beyond its expected lifespan. The discussion was scheduled to cover how essential services are delivered, including maintenance and repair, asset management, resident services, and billing. A significant focus was to be placed on the implications of incoming heat network regulations, including the Energy Act 2023 and the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), and how the council was preparing to meet these requirements. The report pack highlighted the need for significant investment to bring existing systems up to the required performance levels and the role of heat networks in the council's net zero targets. The financial implications of these changes, including estimated additional costs, were also to be discussed, alongside legal and governance implications and the carbon impact of decarbonising these systems. The report pack detailed the current billing arrangements for tenants and leaseholders, both metered and non-metered, and outlined the planned transformation of IT systems to support regulatory compliance. Resident engagement strategies and the development of a customer charter were also to be covered.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and approve its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This included discussing any new topics for scrutiny and considering potential Task Groups or single Member studies. The report pack indicated that the committee would review its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year, with scheduled meetings on 2 December 2026 and 8 March 2027. The work programme for 2026/27 was to include scrutiny of the Waste and Cleansing Contract and oversight of the Council's efforts to become a net zero organisation by 2030. For March 2027, the mobilisation of new repairs contracts was scheduled for pre-decision scrutiny. Unallocated items for future consideration included Housing Repairs, Pimlico District Heading Undertaking (PDHU), tenure changes, and the acquisition process for major works and regeneration projects.