The Housing, Economy and Business Committee of Sutton Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026, noting a biannual performance report and discussing an update on the Sutton Housing Partnership Delivery Plan. The committee also received an update on the restoration of Beddington Farmlands, which included a revised restoration plan that has been approved by the planning committee.

Biannual Performance Monitoring Report

The committee noted the biannual performance monitoring report for the period January to June 2026. Spencer Palmer, Strategic Director for Environment and Housing Neighbours at the London Borough of Sutton, presented the report, highlighting successes such as 100% statutory safety compliance across all assets, a significant improvement in tenant satisfaction at Sutton Housing Partnership to 74.6%, a 16.57% reduction in aged debt by the revenue and benefits team, and 96% of food premises being rated as generally compliant or above. The report also identified areas requiring continued attention, including national non-domestic rates collection shortfalls, rising rent arrears, property re-letting delays, and improving complaint response times.

Sutton Housing Partnership Delivery Plan Update

An update on the Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) Delivery Plan for 2026-2027 was presented by Lynne Mora Blair, Director of Housing, and Steve Tucker from SHP. Colin Hawkins, Chair of the Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations, also provided commentary. The plan, which is the final year of a three-year programme, outlines SHP's approach to managing homes, improving services, meeting regulatory requirements, and delivering value for money, aligning with the Council's ambitions for quality and affordable housing. Key actions include completing stock condition surveys, delivering on the repair and improvement plan, preparing for the Building Safety Act's phase two, and developing a roadmap for achieving EPC targets by 2030. The performance plan includes new KPIs related to the Building Safety Act, income management, and safety remedial actions, with adjustments to targets for tenant satisfaction and void turnaround times. The procurement plan details major activities for the year, and the financial plan focuses on budget pressures and savings, with SHP expected to deliver a savings plan to return the fee to a certain level by 2031-2032.

Councillor Long raised a question regarding a £2.6 million increase in SHP's budget, asking what residents could expect to see as outcomes. Steve Tucker explained that a portion of this increase is due to inflation, with the remainder being invested in preparing the repair service for the Building Safety Act, addressing disrepair claims, and digital transformation to enable tenants to do more online. He also noted that new consumer standards require housing staff to have professional qualifications within three years.

Councillor Barton inquired about mitigating extreme heat in buildings, specifically mentioning Baleham House. Lynne Mora Blair acknowledged the discomfort experienced by tenants during heatwaves and outlined ongoing work to build trust, including drop-in sessions and a planned community action day. Sensors have been installed to confirm high internal temperatures, and expert proposals will be commissioned to identify strategies for reducing internal ambient temperatures and improving building resilience. A detailed review of tenant-raised issues, including repair history and capital investment, is also underway.

Councillor Choi asked about the measures and resources in place to ensure SHP meets the high requirements of the Building Safety Act, phase two, which was due to commence in November. Steve Tucker confirmed the appointment of a senior manager to lead on this and the introduction of a new case management system. He detailed the strict timescales for responding to hazards, including emergency situations within 24 hours and a 10-working-day deadline for investigations, with written summaries provided to tenants. He also mentioned the potential application of sensors to monitor humidity and temperature levels.

Councillor Phelan requested an update on the contract to replace the temporary boiler house at the Collingwood estate. Steve Tucker stated that following contract approval, an application to the Building Safety Regulator was being progressed, as the works affect Baleham House and the wider estate. Works are unlikely to commence until the new year, pending the regulator's approval. Regarding the environmental credentials of the project, it was confirmed that the costs of alternative zero-carbon heating systems currently outweigh the benefits.

Councillor Elgoff raised concerns about the high void turnaround time. Steve Tucker explained that while SHP has improved turnaround times significantly, with standard voids at 23.6 days and major works voids at 56.9 days (both outperforming London's top quartile figures), the aim is to further reduce these times. Improvements include better communication between teams and a pre-termination visit for departing tenants to ensure properties are returned in good condition, potentially making them liable for costs if not.

Councillor Barkham noted an amber rating for the residents' voice panel due to a shortfall in resident representation. Steve Tucker stated that the current number of subscribers is 113, moving in the right direction, and that the panel is being developed into a useful forum for gathering information to benefit residents and services. A community engagement officer has been appointed to support the panel's work. Colin Hawkins added that the effectiveness of the panel needs time to be established and that it should help councillors improve communication with SHP.

Councillor Long asked how the C1 rating awarded by the regulator of social housing was achieved. Steve Tucker explained that it was the result of a rigorous two-day on-site assessment against consumer standards by a panel of experts, involving interviews with officers and residents. He emphasised that the work leading to this rating began some time ago and that the partnership with residents was crucial. He also acknowledged that despite the positive rating, 25% of tenants remain dissatisfied, and efforts are ongoing to improve their trust. Colin Hawkins highlighted the comprehensiveness of the assessment process, which included reviewing historical reports and observing committee meetings.

Councillor O'Rourke asked about the disparity between targets and performance in emergency repairs and plans for improving anti-social behaviour processes. Steve Tucker attributed the disparity in emergency repairs to data collection issues with subcontractors not being on the IT system, which is being addressed. He stated that anti-social behaviour performance has exceeded targets and outlined plans for a range of sanctions, mediation, and collaboration with the Safer Sutton Partnership and the Metropolitan Police.

Beddington Farmlands Restoration Update

An update was provided on the restoration of Beddington Farmlands, with Simon Shellcraft, Planning Enforcement Manager, and David Warburton, Senior Biodiversity Officer, presenting the revised restoration plan. The planning committee had resolved to grant planning permission for this revised plan on 2 September, subject to a new Section 106 agreement. This new permission is considered a significant improvement on the previously consented but undelivered scheme.

The site, an 88.4-hectare former landfill, has a history of mineral extraction and landfill use. The objective is to transition it into a publicly accessible nature reserve. The previous restoration plan, approved in 1995 and updated in 2014, included acid grasslands, which proved to be ecologically unviable and environmentally risky. The new plan replaces this with species-rich lowland meadow, a sustainable water supply for lakes, and mandates phased delivery by 2029, with long-term monitoring and a biodiversity net gain uplift of over 30%. The scheme also includes an upgraded access strategy for safe vehicle and pedestrian access, balancing public enjoyment with wildlife protection, and a new 900-square-meter agricultural building for conservation grazing and equipment storage.

Councillor Foster, also Chair of the Conservation Access Management Committee (CMC), expressed a desire to scrutinise the process and ensure the restoration is completed. He sought reassurance on the next steps regarding the conditions and the Section 106 agreement. Officers explained that the conditions have been agreed by the Planning Committee, and the Section 106 agreement is being progressed. The details of the conditions will be determined by planning officers in conjunction with the CMC and other stakeholders, providing an enforceable framework.

Councillor Long inquired about the ecological worth of the new lowland meadow compared to the unviable acid grasslands. David Warburton explained that while acid grasslands were initially lauded, they proved unworkable. The new lowland meadow is rated highly in biodiversity metrics and will attract ground-nesting birds like skylarks. The new planning application provides greater powers to enforce delivery and monitor progress, with regular monitoring reports from a qualified ecologist.

Councillor Foster asked about the measures put in place following the site's use as a landfill to prevent contamination of the new ecology. Simon Shellcraft explained the landfill process involved impermeable materials and a clay cap, with leachate and methane wells to manage decomposition.

Councillor Long, in his role as ward councillor and Chair of the CMC, expressed his commitment to holding the applicant accountable. He asked for expansion on the conditions and reassurance about future actions. Officers confirmed that the conditions have been agreed and the Section 106 agreement is being progressed. The CMC will play a key role in reviewing the details of the conditions, including access arrangements and habitat creation, and will be involved in discharging these conditions.

Councillor Long also raised concerns about balancing public access with the site's primary function as a nature reserve, particularly regarding the east-west path. David Warburton explained that the access strategy is an outline plan, and detailed proposals will be developed to ensure a staged approach to habituating wildlife to human presence, with strict controls on activities like barbecues.

Councillor Bob asked about the long-term ownership and management of the site once the restoration is complete. It was noted that the liability currently sits with Valencia Waste Management, and the Section 106 agreement will be crucial in determining future arrangements, potentially involving a fund for the council or conservation organisations to manage the site in perpetuity. The biodiversity net gain aspect has a minimum of 30 years of monitoring.

Councillor O'Rourke asked about mitigating the risk of wildfires. Simon Shellcraft and David Warburton explained that the site already contains flammable elements, such as gas wells, and that the access strategy will be key to managing these risks. They also highlighted the importance of managing grasslands to prevent thatch build-up, which can act as a fuel source. Condition 25 of the hydrological survey and condition 11 for an additional fire hydrant have been included, as recommended by the fire brigade.

The role of the Conservation Access Management Committee (CMC) was clarified. It was established as part of the original planning application and includes councillors, landowners, and local conservation groups. The CMC meets quarterly to review site progress and is advised by council officers. Its powers, built into the Section 106 agreement, will not be lessened, and its remit may be refreshed to focus on holding the applicant accountable for meeting milestones and conditions.

Councillor Bob inquired about ensuring consequences for missed milestones. Officers confirmed that the Section 106 agreement will include financial consequences, such as a cash collateral trust, to incentivise the applicant to meet milestones. This trust, with a minimum sum of £2.34 million, can be drawn down to carry out works in default if milestones are not met.

The meeting concluded with the Chair thanking the team for their perseverance in reaching this stage and expressing confidence that the Beddington Farmlands nature reserve will be a significant asset for the borough.