The Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Northumberland Council met on Thursday, 17 September 2026, to discuss housing performance, safety, and compliance. Key discussions included the progress of stock condition surveys, electrical safety inspections, and the action plan in response to a regulatory judgment. The committee received updates on these matters, with a focus on improving safety and quality across the council's housing stock.

Housing Safety, Quality and Asset Management Performance

The committee received an update on housing safety, quality, and asset management performance for Quarter 1 of the financial year 2026/27. Overall compliance remained strong, with 100% adherence in areas such as fire safety, water safety, asbestos, lifts, and communal gas and electrical safety. Domestic gas safety was reported at 99.96%, and there were positive improvements in damp and mould performance, with open cases reducing by 42% and overdue cases by 35%.

However, domestic electrical safety compliance remained a challenge, standing at 87.9%. This was primarily attributed to difficulties in gaining access to a small number of properties rather than a lack of inspection capacity or unresolved safety hazards. A new No Access Policy and supporting procedures have been developed to address this. The committee was assured that no Category 1 electrical defects remained outstanding.

The Stock Condition Survey Programme was progressing well, with 41% of the housing stock surveyed by 31 July 2026. This programme is identifying hazards, including damp and mould, fire safety issues, and falls between levels, which are being addressed. The committee noted that the increased identification of hazards is leading to higher demand on housing services.

Progress with Stock Condition Surveys

By 31 August 2026, the Stock Condition Survey Programme had achieved 60% coverage of the housing stock, with 4,929 dwellings surveyed. This has significantly improved the council's understanding of its housing stock's condition. The surveys have identified 2,372 hazards, with damp and mould, falls between levels, and fire safety being the most common. While remediation activity is ongoing, the rate of hazard identification is currently exceeding the capacity to progress remediation works, leading to a growing backlog. Access constraints remain a significant challenge, with 146 Category 1 hazards and 249 Category 2 hazards awaiting access.

Electrical Inspection Programme

Domestic electrical safety compliance improved from 87.9% in July 2026 to 90% by 31 August 2026, reflecting the early impact of the EICR Compliance Recovery and Access Improvement Plan. The primary challenge remains securing access to properties, with 782 outstanding inspections related to historic no-access cases. No outstanding Category 1 electrical defects were reported, and eight Category 2 remedial actions were under active management. The council has implemented several actions to improve access, including a new No Access Policy, increased inspection capacity, and enhanced tenant engagement.

Regulator of Social Housing: Action Plan Update

An update was provided on the Regulatory Compliance Improvement Plan (RCIP), developed in response to the council's C4 Regulatory Judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). An independent assessment has been commissioned to identify the root causes of the identified failings. A revised draft of the RCIP is being developed and is expected to be agreed internally in October, with a final version to be presented to the committee in November. The committee will monitor the delivery of this plan to ensure improvements are made ahead of a future RSH re-inspection.

Forward Plan

The committee noted the decisions taken by Cabinet since the last meeting, including approvals for bus reform consultation, the Council Tax Support Scheme review, financial performance reports, and capital expenditure for solar PV installations, Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre improvements, and a new vehicle depot in Hexham. The forward plan also outlined upcoming Cabinet key decisions, including those related to active travel routes, theatre projects, waste management, housing enforcement policies, and the North Pennines National Landscape Management Plan.

The next meeting of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for 19 November 2026.