The Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Cabinet met on 2 September 2025 and approved the appropriation of land for the construction of 40 affordable homes, awarded a contract to KPMG for housing benefit subsidy claims audits, and approved an updated Corporate Enforcement Policy. The Cabinet also noted the Annual Complaints Performance and Improvement Report 2024/25 and delegated authority to update the Council’s Complaints Policy following feedback from the Housing Ombudsman.

Appropriation of Land for Affordable Housing

The Cabinet approved the progression of a scheme to construct 40 homes (18 two-bedroom and 22 one-bedroom apartments) and the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) at £4 million. They also approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for a contractor to develop the site, utilising the Pretium Framework¹. The Cabinet noted that further funding would be allocated as part of the standard budget-setting process.

The direct delivery of affordable housing across the borough remains a key strategic objective for Welwyn Hatfield Council. According to the Affordable Housing Programme: Peartree and YMCA report, the council was ranked 10th for social rented completions in the UK and 1st for councils in England outside of London, having completed 159 homes in 2023/24, 139 of which were added to the council's stock of socially rented properties.

The council had previously entered into a land purchase agreement with the YMCA in June 2021. The YMCA is redeveloping its hostel at Peartree Land, Welwyn Garden City and obtained outline planning consent for private residential development on another part of the site. The council held covenants over the site, allowing it to acquire the residential development site at a discounted price.

Planning permission has been secured for 40 residential apartments, associated car parking, landscaping, and infrastructure. The report stated that a viability assessment indicated the scheme would be viable for the HRA, subject to formal quotations from a competitive tender process.

Appointment of Auditors for Benefits Subsidy Claims

The Cabinet approved the direct award of a contract to KPMG for the completion of the Housing Benefit Subsidy Claim Audit and supplementary works for the period of the PSAA appointment of auditors (2023/24 to 2027/28), and for the outstanding audit from 2022/23. The decision to award the contract annually was delegated to the Executive Director (Finance & Transformation), Richard Baker.

Historically, the council has appointed the nationally appointed auditor for the annual accounts due to the close links between the two audits. The report seeking approval for the direct award of contract to KPMG stated that a single auditor enables better working arrangements and reduces elements being audited more than once.

The report noted that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) expects the council to catch up with audits that have fallen behind schedule since Covid-19. KPMG has the skills, experience and capacity to complete the work and can add additional resources to complete the 2022/23 audit in a timely fashion while starting the 2023/24 audit.

Approval of Corporate Enforcement Policy

The Cabinet approved the updated Welwyn Hatfield Council Enforcement Policy. The previous policy was due for review in line with good governance and recent changes to legislation. The policy provides guidance to officers, businesses, and the general public on the range of options available to achieve compliance with legislation enforced by the council's various regulatory services.

The key changes to the policy document include:

• References to authorised third parties taking a robust approach to dog fouling.
• The addition of new legislation and new enforcement options.
• Minor formatting issues and phrasing changes.

The report stated that the council must have regard to the Regulators' Code when developing policies and operational procedures that guide its regulatory enforcement activities. The code requires the council to publish its Enforcement Policy explaining how it responds to non-compliance.

Ombudsman Annual Reports

The Cabinet noted the contents of the Ombudsman Annual Reports and recommended that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC) review and note the contents of the report. Any recommendations from OSC are to be considered by the Executive Member for Leisure, Community & Cultural Services, Councillor Jane Quinton, and the Executive Member for Housing, Councillor Gemma Moore, in conjunction with the Executive Director (Finance & Transformation) and decisions made through an Executive Member Decision Notice, as appropriate.

The Cabinet also agreed to delegate responsibility to the Executive Director (Finance & Transformation) to make updates to the Council’s Complaints Policy, associated processes, and Complaint Handling Code self-assessment following feedback received from the Housing Ombudsman.

The report summarised the latest complaint cases fully investigated by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and Housing Ombudsman (HO). It also highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with the Ombudsmans' Complaint Handling Codes.

During 2024-25, the LGSCO fully investigated five cases, with 80% being upheld. The council has complied with 100% of orders. During the same period, the HO fully investigated five cases, with a maladministration rate of 90%. There were no cases of severe maladministration, and the council did not receive any Complaint Handling Failure Orders. The council has complied with 100% of orders.