Statement on Housing
Cllr Rob Lillis, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Housing provided additional detail to Castle Point Borough Council’s Cabinet on Thursday 20 November.
The Council has a statutory responsibility for ensuring that its properties meet the relevant health and safety requirements in relation to the ‘Big 6’ (Gas, Asbestos, Fire, Electrical, Water Hygiene, and Lifts) as well as Damp and Mould.
Updating on the Housing Improvement Programme in regard to health and safety requirements, Cllr Lillis said: “Compliance is non-negotiable. The deficiencies in our data mean that the Council cannot say with 100% certainty that all those requirements have been and continue to be met.
“This is not to say that homes are inherently unsafe, as in some areas the level of compliance is on target, but the Council recognises that it needs to do a lot more to ensure robustness of data, including the recording of remedial or periodic works in order to give that full assurance.”
“Work has already started on addressing the data issue so that the Council can gauge the true level of compliance. All contractors’ work must meet the relevant regulatory standards and certificates that show this must be produced.”
The report further outlined that additional resource has already been brought in to provide oversight of compliance with the ‘Big 6’ and reconcile data, and further resource is being recruited to ensure this work is completed at pace. In addition, a programme of testing compliance through Norse Group is to be completed in early 2025.
This work will inform the way that the Council rolls out the Stock Condition Survey and will bring up to date the Council’s full understanding of compliance and set out a short to long-term programme of works.
As part of this, the most critical works will be prioritised where there is a significant risk. However, the Stock Condition Survey will also provide the Council with a clear programme of periodic and planned maintenance, which will provide an early warning system where there is an increased risk of non-compliance.
Cllr Lillis also updated on the importance of keeping residents informed and engaged, saying: “We are presently designing a communications strategy to ensure tenants are kept updated and involved in the improvement programme.”
In closing, Cllr Lillis invited any tenant to contact him directly with their issues and concerns.
Following the meeting, Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader, said: “We are completely committed to delivering this improvement programme, and the whole Council is absolutely behind these plans.
“Tenants are at the heart of this service re-set, and their voices will be heard. They will shape, influence and drive our next steps and we will show them the respect that they so deserve.”
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader, added: “We are determined that this Council will turn this service around – fix the problems of the past and rebuild trust with our tenants.”
More information about the Housing Improvement Programme can be found here
Residents can raise any concerns about their properties here
Tenants can contact Cllr Lillis here
The full Cabinet meeting can be viewed here