The Housing and Inclusive Economy Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the strategy for re-procuring the council's housing repairs service contracts and to review the committee's forward plan for the upcoming municipal year. The meeting also included an update on the council's five-year housing land supply.

Housing Repairs Service Procurement Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to focus on the council's strategy for re-procuring its housing repairs service contracts, which are currently held by Aston Group and Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS). Both contracts are due to end on 31 March 2027. The report pack outlined proposals for a new procurement strategy, aiming to reduce contractor overheads, increase competition, improve operational resilience, and provide opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Key proposed changes to the contract terms included:

• Adjusting contract durations, with the M&E contract moving to three five-yearly terms and the general repairs contract to three terms of six, five, and five years.
• Introducing new performance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), focusing on tenant satisfaction, damp and mould, aged work in progress, legal disrepair, and customer satisfaction.
• Amending the pricing model for the general repairs contract from the current Price Per Property (PPP) model to a more flexible approach.
• Provisions to commercially incentivise good performance through financial penalties and additional profit, particularly in high-risk areas like damp and mould and legal disrepair.

The strategy proposed retaining a two-partnering contract model but with some services being procured directly from specialist consultants or contractors. This approach was assessed against options including a single external repairs partner contractor and in-house delivery, with the two-partner model being identified as the preferred option due to its alignment with the council's strategic priorities, particularly in risk mitigation and performance management. Resident engagement had been undertaken, with a resident steering group to be established for strategic input.

The report also detailed the procurement process, which would follow the competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, and outlined an indicative timeline for both the M&E and general repairs contracts. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) screening determined that the strategy would have a positive impact on various protected characteristics, particularly on older people, children, and disabled residents, due to anticipated improvements in safety, quality, and energy efficiency of homes.

Five Year Housing Supply

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the borough's five-year housing land supply. This report aimed to inform the committee about the current status of housing sites within the borough, including those under construction and those with planning consent. The discussion was expected to cover concerns regarding sites where consent had lapsed or development had stalled, and the potential impact of the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The report also intended to address the performance of smaller sites and the sharp increase in housing requirements from 2029, with officers expected to provide evidence of how these could be met. Recommendations for future reports included incorporating qualitative assessments of sites and commentary on the longer-term housing delivery trajectory.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee was due to review The Scrutiny Report, which included the Forward Plan for the ongoing municipal year. As this was the final meeting of the municipal year, members were invited to make suggestions for items to be included in the forward plan for the 2026-27 cycle. The report also contained an Action Tracker, detailing actions required of officers from previous meetings, and a Recommendation Tracker, outlining conclusions and suggestions for service changes or improvements. A section on Key Decisions highlighted significant decisions due to be taken by Cabinet, including the Housing Repairs Service Procurement Strategy and the Adoption of Local Plan Part 2. The rationale for items included in the draft Forward Plan for the 2025-26 cycle was also provided, covering areas such as the Housing Ombudsman's determinations, social housing regulation, the Housing Compact, and the Temporary Accommodation Strategy.