The Redditch Borough Council's Executive Committee convened to discuss a range of issues, including housing, finance, and community services. Key decisions included noting the Fly Tipping and Bulky Waste Task Group's final report, approving funding for the Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme, and addressing findings from the Housing Ombudsman. The committee also reviewed financial and performance monitoring reports and set the stage for the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Regulator of Social Housing Inspection Report and Housing Improvement Plan

The Executive Committee approved the Housing Improvement Plan and noted the Regulatory Judgement published by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) on 30 July 2025, following an inspection of Redditch Borough Council's Housing Service. The council received a C3 grading, indicating serious failings in delivering housing services.

The inspection highlighted several areas needing improvement:

• A lack of effective and efficient repair and maintenance services, with approximately 3,000 overdue repairs.
• Concerns regarding fire remediation actions, with nearly 3,000 overdue actions from Fire Risk Assessments.
• A limited stock condition survey conducted in the preceding five-year period.
• A lack of tenant engagement mechanisms.

The Housing Improvement Plan includes actions to address these areas, such as:

• Appointing a Senior Tenant Engagement & Participation Officer.
• Establishing, training, and managing the development of participation opportunities for council housing tenants and leaseholders.
• Revising the Housing Improvement Plan following consultation with the RSH.

To support these actions, the committee recommended a supplementary estimate of £60,000 be added to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2025/26 and £75,000 to the base budget in 2026/27.

The committee also approved the proposed structure for governance of the Housing Improvement Plan¹.

Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme 2026/27 to 2029/30

The Executive Committee agreed to fund the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Grants Scheme for a further three years, with a total grant pot of £175,000 per annum. The VCS Grants Scheme will be delivered in accordance with Option 2, which includes:

• Up to £75,000 for a Financial Advice Grant.
• A Grants Panel, comprising elected members, to consider and make recommendations on higher grants (valued at £2,000 up to £10,000).
• Delegated authority being granted to the Assistant Director of Community and Housing Services to consider and agree decisions on lower grants (valued at £500 up to £2,000).

The committee also approved the VCS Grants Policy and the proposed terms of reference for the Grants Panel and agreed that five members be appointed to the Grants Panel. Distributions will be passported to bereavement charities following an application process and funded by receipts from the Recycling of Metal Recovered from Cremation Scheme.

Fly Tipping and Bulky Waste Task Group - Final Report

The Executive Committee noted the Fly Tipping and Bulky Waste Task Group's final report and the response of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to this report. The Task Group concluded that the council provides a competitive and reasonably priced bulky waste collection service, and that further promotion of the service should be undertaken to raise awareness. The Task Group's recommendation was for Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) to provide a bi-annual update report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which reviews fly tipping data and enforcement work undertaken in the Borough.

Adoption of Fixed Penalty Charge for Breach of Community Protection Notice

The Executive Committee recommended that the council adopt a Fixed Penalty Notice Charge of £100 for failure to comply with a Community Protection Notice² (CPN).

Housing Ombudsman Findings Reports

The Executive Committee addressed findings from the Housing Ombudsman regarding complaints from local residents.

Housing Ombudsman Findings Report 1 Ref 202417927

The committee noted the findings, orders, and recommendation from the Housing Ombudsman regarding case 202417927, which identified maladministration in the council's handling of a resident's reports of damp and mould, the installation and maintenance of aids and adaptations, structural problems with a balcony wall, and a leak to a communal entrance. The committee also noted compliance with those matters by the council and the wider learning points.

Housing Ombudsman Findings Report 2 Ref 202331009

The committee noted the findings, orders, and recommendation from the Housing Ombudsman regarding case 202331009, which highlighted maladministration in the council's response to reports of damp and mould and in complaint handling. The committee also noted compliance with those matters by the council and the wider learning points.

Quarter 1 Housing Consumer Standards Report

The Executive Committee noted the council's 2025/26 performance against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (Landlord).

Quarter 1 2025/26 Finance and Performance Monitoring Report

The Executive Committee noted the current revenue position of £0.020 million unfavourable variance, the current capital spending of £3.429 million against a budget of £8.082 million, the current savings delivery of £0.545 million against an annual target of £2.342 million for 2025/26, and earmarked reserves of £27.117 million. The committee also noted the ward budget allocation position to date, the updated procurements position, the position on council tax and business rates, the position on benefits processing, and the performance data for the period April to June 2025 (Quarter 1). The Balance Sheet Monitoring Position for Quarter 1 was also noted.

Medium Term Financial Plan Scene Setting Report 2026/2027

The Executive Committee resolved that the proposed budget process be followed for the 2026/27 annual budget and for the Medium Term Financial Plan up to 2028/29.

Disposal of Housing Revenue Account Assets

The Executive Committee approved the disposal of housing revenue account assets at Ashorne Close, Matchborough, Redditch, declaring eight garages surplus to requirements and approving their demolition on the grounds of structural safety. Subject to planning permission, the garages will be replaced with ten parking spaces.

The Executive Committee also approved the disposal of Housing Revenue Account assets at 53 Parsons Road, Southcrest, Redditch and 53 Crabbs Cross Lane, Crabbs Cross, Redditch, declaring the properties surplus to council requirements and delegating authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer and to the Assistant Director of Legal, Democratic and Procurement Services to dispose of the sites at market value. Any HRA capital receipt received from the sale of the properties will be allocated to the HRA Capital Programme.