To consider the following draft policies prepared in relation to the maintenance and operation of the Council’s retained housing stock:

•     Gas Safety Policy;

•     Electrical Safety Policy;

•     Fencing and Paving Policy; and

•     Empty Council Homes Management Policy.

RESOLVED that -

a)  the Gas Safety Policy, Electrical Safety Policy, Fencing & Paving Policy and Empty Council Homes Management Policy be adopted;

b)  their direct and immediate implementation be authorised, subject to the call in procedures under the Council’s Constitution; and

c)   authorises the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing, to make future updates or amendments to the Policies.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (A.9), which enabled it to consider the following draft policies prepared in relation to the maintenance and operation of the Council’s retained housing stock:

·      Gas Safety Policy;

·      Electrical Safety Policy;

·      Fencing and Paving Policy; and

·      Empty Council Homes Management Policy.

It was reported that, in response to the Regulator for Social Housing having its powers enhanced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, new Consumer Standards and Tenant Satisfaction Measures had been introduced and which took effect on 1 April 2024. 

Although the adoption of those policies was not of itself mandatory, there were legal and regulatory standards for performance which those policies aspired to formalise compliance with.

Members were informed that the Gas Safety Policy set out Tendring District Council’s (TDC) aim to ensure that all gas systems within the housing stock were properly managed and operated safely. All new installations, maintenance and safety checks were carried out in accordance with TDC’s duties as a landlord as required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018.

It was recognised that the Electrical Safety Policy set out Tendring District Council’s approach to its responsibilities to comply with relevant legislative and associated guidance on the installation, inspection, repairs, testing and certification of electrical systems in dwellings and associated communal areas which it owned and managed.

Cabinet was made aware that the Fencing and Paving Policy outlined Tendring District Council’s aim to ensure that its properties benefited from an appropriate standard of security and appearance through the provision and effective maintenance and replacement of fencing and paving.

It was noted that the Empty Council Homes Management Policy would not only ensure that procedures were in place that reduced the length of time that a property was empty but also ensured that a forward looking and strategic approach was in place.

In order to set in place clear policies to inform future maintenance and management activities and also a policy framework to evidence compliance with regulatory standards:-

It was moved by Councillor Baker, seconded by Councillor Placey and:-

RESOLVED that -

a)  the Gas Safety Policy, Electrical Safety Policy, Fencing & Paving Policy and Empty Council Homes Management Policy be adopted;

b)  their direct and immediate implementation be authorised, subject to the call in procedures under the Council’s Constitution; and

c)   authorises the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing, to make future updates or amendments to the Policies.