Agenda item

The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement presented the report to the Board.

The Council was one of the first to be inspected under the new inspection regime and had received a C2 Grading (C1 the highest achievable, C4 the lowest).

A comprehensive Improvement Plan (attached at Appendix 1) had been devised to show how the Council would drive improvement and demonstrate to the Regulator weaknesses that had been addressed.

The Council had met with the Regulator on 6 occasions since inspection, most recently 7^th October 2025.

The Council had reviewed Savills’ Stock Condition Survey data and successfully uploaded this to the Open Housing Management System (OHMS) ‘Train’ system.

The Council was reviewing the required work as specified by Savills for years 1-5 (to enable a clear capital programme for the next 5 years).

The Council had to ensure it knew its housing stock and the preferred approach was an inhouse rolling programme of stock condition (with approx. 1,000 properties inspected per annum).  The Council was in the process of internal approvals to enable commencement of this rolling programme from April 2026.

Existing Asset Management Officers on Housing Health and Safety Rating Systems (HHSRS) were being training with a view to undertake the outstanding 296 surveys between November 2025 and the end of March 2026.

A survey, which could be completed on electronic device tablets at an inspection, would also directly link into the OHMS.

It was imperative the Council knew its tenant base to deliver tailored services, but the uptake and completion of the Tenant Census had been slow – the Council was looking at how to capture information at all tenant touch points.

It was noted the Regulator had approved of efforts by the Council to undertake additional work such as the “You Say, We Did / We Didn’t” publications (completed with the assistance of Customer Services).

To a question on the HHSRS training and completion of the Stock Condition Survey, the Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement confirmed it would be cost effective to complete training and surveys in future inhouse and provide additional flexibility throughout the entire process (it would allow the Council to focus on the properties most difficult to access first).

To a question on the installation of external insulation (following negative media reports nationally), the Senior Repairs Coordinator informed the Council would investigate if internal cavity wall insulation was possible first, and only if this was not an option would external insulation be explored.

To a question on the publication of damp and mould prevention (e.g. to dissuade tenants from drying clothes inside, not opening windows when using the shower, etc.), the Housing Performance Manager informed information was presented online (e.g. comparing a house in the 1970s to one in 2025, opening the window when cooking meals in the kitchen, etc.).

The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement added the November 2025 edition of the Bolsover Homes newsletter would also include this material.

Moved by Councillor Ashley Taylor and seconded by Mrs. Angela Sharpe

RESOLVED that the Board note comments of the Improvement Plan.