The Housing and Communities Select Committee met to discuss improvements to the housing repairs service, the progress of Grenfell rehousing policies, and the effectiveness of the council's consultation processes.

Responding to Resident-Led Review of the Housing Repairs Service

The committee discussed the council's response to a resident-led review of the housing repairs service. The review identified several areas for improvement, including digital access, communication, and contractor performance. The council has accepted most of the recommendations and is implementing changes such as developing an online repairs portal, improving technical triage, and enhancing communication with residents. Concerns were raised about the impact of a recent cyber attack on the progress of these improvements, particularly regarding the online portal. The council acknowledged that while a significant number of repairs are completed successfully, there are still residents experiencing difficulties, and ongoing work is focused on addressing these issues. The committee also discussed the challenges of contractor performance and the council's efforts to improve oversight and accountability, including implementing a no pictures, no payment policy for contractors.

Grenfell Rehousing Policies: Performance Update

The committee received an update on rehousing performance under various Grenfell-related policies, including the Grenfell Rehousing Policy, the Grenfell Settled Homes Policy, the Wider Grenfell Rehousing Policy, and the Local Lettings Plan for the Lancaster West Estate and Bramley House. It was noted that the majority of eligible households have been rehoused under the Grenfell Rehousing Policy. The Grenfell Settled Homes Policy allows for a second move for those who have not settled in their initial rehousing. A significant discussion focused on legacy cases of residents from the Walkways and Bramley House who were evacuated or left behind during the Grenfell Tower fire but were excluded from specific rehousing policies due to their housing status at the time. The committee recommended that the Director of Housing Needs exercise discretionary powers to review these cases and incorporate them into Grenfell-related rehousing routes within 90 days. The council acknowledged the impact of the cyber attack on data availability for these policies. The committee also discussed the wider housing needs in the borough, highlighting unprecedented levels of homelessness and a significant gap between demand and the supply of social housing.

Consultation Working Group Report

The committee reviewed the report of the Consultation Working Group, which focused on improving consultation and engagement within the council. The report highlighted the success of a recent budget consultation, which saw a significant increase in responses due to a more structured and multi-channel communication approach. Recommendations were made to proactively circulate consultation information to councillors, ensure ward councillors receive feedback on ward-specific consultations, and to consider a dedicated budget for consultation efforts. The report also addressed low response rates in Housing Management consultations, attributing them to the technical nature of policies, high volume of consultations, and potential consultation fatigue. Housing Management is implementing changes to focus on fewer, higher-quality consultations, use delegated authority for minor policy changes, and consolidate policies. The committee recommended that the council involve residents' associations more in promoting consultations and explore a wider range of engagement methods beyond formal consultations. The importance of addressing digital exclusion was also highlighted as a topic warranting further review.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year. Suggestions for future topics included digital exclusion, the voluntary sector's role in preparation for council contracts, and disabled access provision. The committee also noted the ongoing importance of addressing Grenfell recovery and the need to monitor the voluntary sector's funding situation. The work programme will continue to be reviewed and adjusted as new priorities emerge.