The Housing and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to discuss the council's approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, progress on the Rethinking Tenancy programme, and resident engagement in high-rise buildings. The meeting also included a review of future reports to be presented to the panel.

Response to Anti-Social Behaviour

The panel was scheduled to consider a report detailing the council's current strategy for addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the borough. This report was intended to provide an overview of ASB trends and hotspots, the council's ASB policy and enforcement powers, and the role of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and partner agencies. It was also set to examine the use of tools such as Community Protection Notices and injunctions, as well as support services for victims and community reassurance measures. The report highlighted that ASB is defined as behaviours that cause or are likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, encompassing a wide range of issues from littering and dog fouling to noise nuisance and neighbour disputes. The report indicated that in 2024/25, the police recorded 6,414 ASB incidents, with rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour being the most common. Estate Services recorded 3,601 ASB and drug litter waste incidents, with Woolwich Dockyard ward reporting the highest number. The Community Protection Team saw a decline in case volumes, with 2,091 noise complaints and 84 ASB cases in 2024-25. The report also detailed the council's use of various enforcement powers, including Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, Fixed Penalty Notices, Community Protection Warnings and Notices, Abatement Notices, Premises Closures, Seizures, and Criminal Behaviour Orders. Partnership working with Safer Neighbourhood Teams and other agencies was identified as crucial, with a focus on intelligence sharing, supporting operations, and joint action days. The report also outlined support services for victims and community reassurance measures, such as patrols, community engagement events, and pilot projects in schools and businesses.

Phase One of Rethinking Tenancy and Action Plan

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of Phase One of the council's Rethinking Tenancy programme. This programme, a collaboration between Housing & Safer Communities and Digital, aims to improve how the council supports tenants in having safe and happy homes through resident-centred Tenancy and Income services. The programme recommenced in December 2024, following a pause due to a financial crisis in Temporary Accommodation. The report indicated that the programme aims to improve tenants' experience, enhance job quality for staff, and increase income collected for the Housing Revenue Account. Engagement with tenants and stakeholders had included surveys and discussions with ward councillors and other social landlords. Early outcomes from Phase One highlighted areas for improvement, such as staff capacity to resolve complex issues, tenant awareness of service functions, inconsistent service delivery, and long response times. The report also outlined four key areas for change: a new operating model and restructure, a policy and procedure review, modernisation of technology and data, and better end-to-end tenant communication. Phase Two plans included designing and testing a future operating model, reviewing policies such as the ASB policy, modernising technology, and redrafting letter templates for clearer communication.

Resident Engagement in Meeting New Requirements for the Safety of High-Rise Buildings

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on how the council is ensuring residents of high-rise buildings are informed about their buildings and how to stay safe. This is in response to new legal duties introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc.) (England) Regulations 2023. The council, as the Principal Accountable Person for 71 Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), has a legal duty to engage with residents. The report detailed communication and engagement strategies, including a pre-resident consultation supported by a booklet and an independent phone survey. Tools and resources provided to residents included a 10-question survey and a building safety phone survey conducted between March and May 2025. General communications include annual fire safety letters and updates on the council's webpages. The Fire and Building Safety Team oversees building inspections and safety updates, while new Resident Liaison Safety Officer (RLSO) posts are being recruited to strengthen face-to-face engagement. Feedback from residents indicated that most feel safe and know what to do in a fire, but many desire more information on fire, electrical, gas, water, and asbestos safety. The report also highlighted that only 49% of residents who reported a safety issue found the process easy, and 37% were satisfied with the council's response. Residents prioritised fixes to visible safety issues, requested more direct and interactive communication, and called for a simple, trackable, and transparent complaints process.

Commissioning of Future Reports

The panel was scheduled to note the work items planned for future meetings, specifically for the meeting on 04 February 2026. The reports to be presented include an annual meeting with registered providers of social housing to discuss anti-social behaviour, hate crime, lettings, shared ownership, engagement with ward members, and the management of repairs. The panel was asked to consider the scope of these forthcoming reports and specify any detailed requirements to ensure the scrutiny practice is well-directed and effective.