Cabinet members note progress on Housing Improvement Programme
Cabinet Members at Castle Point Borough Council have received an update on the progress made to date in the Housing Improvement Programme. The Programme is a wide-ranging project to transform housing services and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
It follows a Regulatory Judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing in September 2024 (C3) and a subsequent downgrade in December 2024 (C4), meaning very serious failings. The Council has responded decisively with a plan to address all elements of the Regulator’s concerns and improve housing safety, management and tenant engagement.
The Housing Improvement Board has been established to oversee improvements with a clear focus on transparency and accountability. At a Cabinet meeting on 18 June 2025 Cabinet Members were given an update on key milestones so far including:
- Bringing services back in-house: The repairs and maintenance service has been brought back in-house, ensuring the Council has better control and oversight of the service.
- The Council’s main repair contractor has increased the number of staff to carry out repairs by 50%, reduced overdue works in progress by 68% and brought in new subcontractors for pest control, technical drainage surveys and tree works.
- Tenant involvement: The Council has partnered with the Tenant Participation and Advisory Service (Tpas) to enhance tenant engagement, ensuring that tenants have a voice in shaping housing policies and service improvements.
- Safety and compliance: Progress has been made to strengthen safety measures, with improvements in fire safety, gas and electrical compliance, and asbestos management. Inspections for gas safety, electrical safety, fire risk, water hygiene and lift services are either completed or in progress.
- A new damp and mould policy has been introduced.
- Infrastructure upgrades: Essential housing maintenance reviews have begun, alongside plans for a fire door replacement programme, improved fire alarm systems.
- A full stock condition survey is underway with a target completion date of end of October 2025.
Other activity underway includes:
- The procurement of a compliance and project management system.
- A review of current warden call systems in sheltered accommodation schemes, including fire alarms and door entry systems.
- Review of sheltered housing facilities.
Cllr Rob Lillis, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Housing said: “I thank officers for this detailed report and note the work that has taken place at pace to address the concerns identified by the Regulator. While there is still much more to be done, we are on track with the Programme and we are reporting progress regularly to the Regulator. We remain firmly committed to ensuring lasting improvements in housing services.”