The Housing Committee of Stroud District Council convened to address key housing strategies, financial performance, and tenant-related policies. The committee approved an additional £10 million for housing acquisitions, adopted a new Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy, and approved the Strategy for New Council Homes 2025-2030 and associated action plan.

Additional £10 Million for Housing Acquisitions Recommended

The committee recommended to the council that an additional £10 million be included in the council's Capital Programme for the Housing Revenue Account's (HRA) 'Acquisitions of Housing' capital budget for 2025/26. This decision followed a report from the Head of Property Services, who explained that the previously approved £5 million had already been fully committed due to a succession of opportunities to acquire Section 106 properties¹. These properties are offered at a discounted rate by developers. Councillor Lucas Schoemaker, Vice Chair of Housing, queried the level on which rent would be charged. The Chair, Councillor Gary Luff, clarified that if the rent was charged above Local Housing Allowance², tenants would be eligible for housing benefit to meet the rent that was being charged. Councillor Dave Mathews emphasised the benefit of acquiring council homes without the threat of Right to Buy³.

Strategy for New Council Homes 2025-2030 Approved

The committee approved the Strategy for New Council Homes 2025 - 2030 and associated Action Plan. The New Homes and Regeneration Manager introduced the report, highlighting the challenges of rising construction costs, planning reforms, and funding uncertainties. The refreshed strategy aims to deliver affordable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective homes, aligning with the Council Plan. Councillor Natalie Rothwell-Warn asked whether the money from selling garages could go into bicycle parking facilities. The Head of Property Services advised that the garage disposals and small sites programme was coming to an end and the receipts were earmarked for the New Build programme which was under pressure. In response to Mr Richter, Tenant Representative, the Head of Property Services advised that Brimscombe Port wasn't included within the New Build Programme currently however the decision was made by Committee to effectively be classed as a Section 106 purchase. Councillor Luff emphasised the importance of social and affordable housing.

Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy Adopted

The committee resolved to approve the adoption of the Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy, with authority delegated to the Head of Housing Solutions, in consultation with the Chair of Housing Committee to make minor textual changes prior to publication. The Housing Advice Manager explained that the policy aims to provide a structured framework for officers managing the allocation of temporary accommodation, ensuring consistency and fairness. Councillor Carol Kambites raised concerns on point 5.2.3 of the Policy as it said the Council 'may' offer alternative accommodation rather than 'will' when the applicant wasn't at fault for eviction. The Housing Advice Manager advised it was a complicated process when assessing the reasons that lead to eviction as the Council relied on Temporary Accommodation Landlords which were often private. Councillor Rothwell-Warn asked which area of Children's Services at Gloucestershire County Council would the responsibility come under for Temporary Accommodation for children in regard to 6.3.2 of the Policy. The Housing Advice Manager advised a Social Care referral would be completed if the young person approached the Council.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures Report

The committee noted the report on the Tenant Satisfaction Measures results for 2024/25. The Customer Insight Officer gave a presentation on the TSM results. Councillor Mathews queried the number of properties that didn't meet the decent homes standards⁴ and the proportion of these properties that were let. The Customer Insight Officer explained she didn't have the figures and would respond outside of the meeting. Councillor Moore raised concerns on the number of properties not meeting the decent homes standard and asked whether the properties were in the same place and why the properties didn't meet the standards or if there were any patterns. The Customer Insight Officer explained that there were four criteria to meet the decent homes standard: thermal comfort, modern facilities, reasonable state of repair, and freedom from category one hazards. Mr Richter, Tenant Representative raised concerns that Officers weren't calling tenants back when they said they would and that it needed to improve.

Adoption of Empty Homes Strategy 2025-2030

The committee resolved to adopt the Empty Homes Strategy 2025 - 30, and authorised the Head of Environmental Health, in consultation with the Director of One Legal and the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee, to make changes as necessary to comply with changing requirements, and to agree an annual action plan commensurate with available resources. The report noted that the previous Empty Homes Strategy action plan expired in 2023, and the new strategy proposes a revised approach, focusing on long-term empty homes (10 years or more) and prioritising those subject to complaints or anti-social behaviour.

Adoption of Shared Ownership Policies

The committee resolved to adopt the following Shared Ownership Policies: First Come, First Served Policy, Surplus Monthly Income Policy, Adverse Credit Policy, and Eligibility and Allocations Policy, and delegated authority to the Head of Property Services to update the policies to reflect any changes to the Homes England Capital Funding Guide. The report highlighted that the council needs to update its policies for shared ownership homes in line with Homes England's requirements as best practice and to ensure consistency and compliance for any future sites which may benefit from Homes England Funding.

Adoption of Housing Services Passenger Lift Safety Management Policy

The committee resolved to adopt the Passenger Lift Safety Management Policy, and delegated authority to the Strategic Head of Housing to make minor changes to the Policy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee. The report explained that the key objective of this Policy is to describe how the Council manages lift safety so far as is reasonably practicable.

Update on Stroud Council Tenant Complaints

The committee resolved to consider the evidence referred to in the self-assessment and ensure that it is complete and accessible to staff and residents, scrutinise the data and performance information included in complaints performance and service improvement report to ensure it is accurate, reliable and repeatable, challenge any commentary or context to ensure that it is a fair and reasonable assessment, and produce a written statement to the self-assessment to provide assurance that it is a true reflection of the landlord's complaint handling. The report provided Housing Committee with an update on the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code and the council's self-assessment against this code.

Adoption of Updated Decant Policy

The committee resolved to adopt the revised Decant Policy, and delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Housing to make minor changes to the policy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee. The report explained that the Decant Policy sets out the principles and procedures for supporting tenants who are required to move from their homes due to planned development works, major repairs, or emergency situations, and ensures that the decant process is fair, transparent and in line with current legislation and best practice.

Adoption of Revised Income Management Strategy

The committee resolved to adopt the Income Management Strategy, and delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Housing to make minor changes to the Strategy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee. The report explained that the strategy replaces the 2021 document and outlines Stroud District Council's landlord services' approach and responsibilities to dealing with income collection and recovery.

Adoption of Revised Income Collection and Recovery Policy

The committee resolved to adopt the Income Collection & Recovery Policy, and delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Housing to make minor changes to the policy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee. The report explained that the policy replaces the 2021 document and outlines Stroud District Council's landlord services' approach and responsibilities to dealing with income collection and recovery.

Adoption of Revised Housing Services Compensation Policy

The committee resolved to adopt the Compensation Policy, and delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Housing to make minor changes to the policy in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee. The report explained that the purpose of this report is to present a revised Housing Services Compensation Policy.

Appointment to Performance Monitor

A nomination was received from Councillor Stanley who was appointed as a Performance Monitor. A second nomination was also received from Councillor James-Hodges however as performance monitors should be drawn from the opposition political groups an alternative nomination would be sought at September Committee.

Member / Officer Reports

The committee received a number of member/officer reports:

• Tenant Representatives: Mr Richter, Tenant Representative, highlighted the below areas that tenants had been involved with: the bulky waste trial in Lawnside, the tenant census, the scrutiny group, and the Decant Policy. He also gave an update on what would be happening in the future which included: a Housing Revenue Account and Asset Management Strategy consultation, an Income Management Strategy event, another session on the Tenant Satisfaction Measures, and new roles for tenants.
• Landlords Anti-Social Behaviour Policy: Housing Committee sought assurance that the broader community safety framework, and in particular the arrangements to tackle violence against women and girls, is strengthened within the Landlord's ASB policy.
• New Homes and Regeneration Programme: The committee received an update on the current position and progress with the New Homes & Regeneration Programme.
• Performance Monitoring Q1: The committee received the Q1 Performance Monitoring Report.
• Housing Oversight Board Report Q1: The committee received the Housing Oversight Board Report Q1.
• Resident Engagement & Communications Update: The committee received the Resident Engagement & Communications Update.
• Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency of Council Housing: The committee received the Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency of Council Housing report.

Work Programme

Councillor Shyama Ananthan asked whether a targeted action plan on the Tenant Satisfaction Survey could be presented at September Committee. The Strategic Head of Housing advised he would give it some thought however the TSM was only one metric in how performance was measured. In response to Councillor Schoemaker, the Strategic Head of Housing advised the Temporary Accommodation Strategy was initially a three year document however there was a commitment to provide an annual update and therefore it wasn't due to come back to Committee until June 2026. It was agreed that the next update would be brought sooner to the 17 March 2026 Housing Committee. The committee resolved to note the updates to the Work Programme.