Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1)    Note the delivery of the 2025/26 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Works to Stock Programme set out in the report, which has continued to provide essential upgrades to the Council’s housing stock, along with higher energy efficiency standards and improvements to the quality of life of tenants, set out in Appendix 1.

2)    Agrees the HRA Works to Stock Programme for the ensuing 2026/27 financial year; and approves the release of the HRA WTS Capital Programme budget, as set out in this report.

3)    To deliver this Programme, delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property to:

a)    Utilise existing internal or external framework agreements or develop new LBH framework agreements for Cabinet approval, to enable the effective delivery of appropriate works, tenders, and contracts. 

b)   Approve the procurement of individual projects and works set out, including using any approved LBH framework or term contract by Cabinet.  

c)    Release project specific capital funds for the specific works, as set out in the programme, and strictly within approved budgets and subject to any internal spend control requirements. 

d)   Agree minor variations to specific projects within the programme, subject to agreement from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property. 

e)    Make any other operational decisions required to implement the programme and works agreed by the Cabinet.  

4)    Agree that relevant portfolio Cabinet Members receive regular updates on progress delivering the programme and spend.  

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property introduced a report on the Council’s housing investment programme, highlighting the Council’s continued commitment to improving its social housing stock. It was reported that £45 million would be invested in the coming year, including just under £31 million in direct capital works, over £10 million through the Green Homes Initiative, and more than £4 million for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) adaptations to support residents with disability and mobility needs.

The programme included extensive roofing works, replacement of windows in around 500 homes to improve thermal efficiency and reduce heating costs, and the renewal of approximately 1,000 kitchens and 800 bathrooms. Investment under the Green Homes Initiative would focus on homes with an EPC rating below C, supporting the Council’s aim to meet government standards by 2030 through measures such as insulation, heat recovery systems and window upgrades. Further works included boiler replacements, lift upgrades, door entry and access control systems, emergency lighting and fire safety improvements. The Cabinet Member remarked that the programme would improve living conditions and help the Council meet its decency standards.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the comprehensive programme, noting that it would significantly improve the condition of the housing stock and that reinvesting rental income back into homes was essential to ensuring residents lived in decent, well?maintained properties.

Cabinet, therefore agreed the forward investment programme and delegated authority to carry out the works efficiently.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have chosen to amend the works programme or not delegate its delivery as such to officers.