The Scrutiny Review Panel met to consider a draft final report concerning the accountability of social housing providers to the council and residents of Stockport. The panel was scheduled to review and potentially endorse this report before its onward submission to other council committees.

Draft Final Report on Social Housing Accountability

The main item scheduled for discussion was the draft final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel, titled The Accountability of Social Housing Providers to the Council and Residents of Stockport. This report, compiled over several meetings between September 2023 and January 2025, aimed to examine how social housing providers in Stockport are held accountable to both the local authority and its residents.

The report was presented for consideration, with the panel being asked to comment on its content and endorse it for submission to the Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change Scrutiny Committee and subsequently to Cabinet. The review's scope included understanding the current accountability mechanisms, identifying any gaps, assessing the risks associated with a lack of sufficient accountability, and examining models from other local authorities.

The draft report highlighted the historical context of social housing in Stockport, including the establishment of the Stockport Housing Partnership (SHP) and the role of Stockport Homes, the council's Arms-Length Management Organisation (ALMO). It noted that Registered Providers (RPs) are regulated by Homes England and the National Regulator of Social Housing, and that councils have limited enforcement powers.

Key findings from the review, as detailed in the report, suggested that social housing stock in Stockport generally outperforms private and owner-occupied housing in terms of condition and energy efficiency, and that social tenants experience quicker resolutions to issues compared to private renters. However, the report also indicated that council tenants may lack direct access to the Housing Standards team for complaints, suggesting a need for better oversight of Stockport Homes Group (SHG).

The review also included a comparative study of accountability mechanisms in other local authorities, such as Blackpool Coastal Homes and Barnet Homes. Positive models identified included resident boards, resident satisfaction surveys, newsletters, and resident procurement groups. The report acknowledged challenges in determining the success of resident engagement initiatives, noting that some local authorities contacted had not provided information.

The draft report included recommendations for Cabinet consideration, such as retaining and strengthening the housing association partnership model, increasing oversight of SHG's integration with council policies, and conducting in-depth reviews into SHG's handling of repairs, complaints, and neighbourhood services. It also recommended approaching SHG to develop a good-practice guide for tenant engagement and to explore further initiatives for improving engagement and accountability, potentially including a Resident Procurement Group. Furthermore, the report suggested considering the reinstatement of unpaid councillor membership to the Board of Stockport Homes Group, with appropriate training and defined responsibilities.

The panel was scheduled to consider and comment on this draft report, and to endorse it for onward submission, subject to any amendments. The final report and recommendations were expected to be considered by the Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change Scrutiny Committee on 6 March 2025, and by Cabinet on 18 March 2025.