The Cabinet of Wandsworth Council met on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the independent report into the Fox House fire, a review of social housing improvement, the housing revenue account budget, and the public mental health action plan. The meeting's agenda focused on ensuring the safety and quality of council housing, addressing financial matters, and promoting the wellbeing of residents.

Fox House Fire - Independent Report

An independent report by Barry Quirk CBE was scheduled for discussion, reviewing Wandsworth Council's response to the fire at Fox House in Battersea on 10 September 2025. The fire displaced over 100 residents, and the report aimed to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement in the Council's emergency response protocols. The report commended the Council's response but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in the initial hours of the incident. Recommendations included strengthening and formalising the Gold, Silver, and Bronze emergency arrangements, ensuring senior director presence on-site within two hours of an incident, and making protocols for decision-making explicit and routinely briefed. The report also recommended reviewing grab bag arrangements for essential materials for on-site staff and ensuring robust control of key contractors. Furthermore, it suggested embedding a consistently corporate and humanitarian approach in all incidents, providing dedicated training for councillors, and seeking expert advice on the cause of the fire and potential remedial works. The Council's actions to address these recommendations were also to be discussed.

A Review into Social Housing Improvement

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report from the Social Housing Improvement Task and Finish Group. This review was initiated in response to a C3 grading by the Regulator of Social Housing following an inspection in late 2024. The report detailed the Group's work, including the terms of reference, scope of the review, and a summary of meetings. Key matters considered included the Improvement Tracker, stock condition surveys, the performance of the electrical safety check programme, and fire remedial actions. The report also addressed repairs, resident engagement, customer care, complaints, and the Housing Ombudsman and Building Safety Regulator. The Task and Finish Group made several recommendations, including the consideration of additional resources for analysing stock condition data, improving the resident repair journey with digital tracking, co-designing repairs and maintenance contract specifications with residents, and using resident feedback for contract monitoring. They also recommended revising the Borough Residents' Forum constitution, including tenant and leaseholder representation in governance, and commissioning external consultants for the engagement strategy.

Housing Improvement Plan

A report by the Executive Director of Resident Services was scheduled to outline the Housing Improvement and Transformation Plan (HIT Plan). This plan was developed in response to the Regulator of Social Housing's inspection and addresses immediate areas for improvement, as well as the longer-term transformation of housing services. The report noted progress made since the Regulatory Judgement in February 2025, including the commencement of stock condition surveys, progress on electrical safety tests, a reduction in overdue fire remedial actions, and a decrease in overdue repairs. The plan also highlighted the creation of a dedicated Resident Services directorate to increase collaboration and efficiencies. The HIT Plan aims to transform services to be leading edge, tenant-focused, and address underinvestment in key services such as health and safety, ensuring the Council meets present and future regulatory requirements. The report recommended agreeing the HIT Plan and supporting the creation of a Housing Improvement and Transformation Board chaired by an independent expert.

Housing Revenue Account Budget (including Rents & Other Charges for Council Dwellings)

The Executive Director of Finance was scheduled to present the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget, which covers income and expenditure related to the management and maintenance of Wandsworth's housing stock. The report reviewed council housing rents and charges, the housing capital programme, and the overall HRA budget framework for 2025/26 to 2028/29. It was recommended that council housing rents be increased by a maximum of 4.8% from April 2026, with general increases in non-residential charges of 3.8%, and an overall reduction in heating and hot water charges. The report detailed proposed additions to the HRA capital programme, totalling £241.907m, bringing the overall capital programme to £758.227m over the framework period. The Cabinet Member for Housing commented on the ongoing housing crisis in London, the Homes for Wandsworth programme, and the significant costs associated with maintaining existing stock and meeting new regulatory burdens. The report also outlined the financial implications of these proposals, including revenue budget growth of £1.5m for a new Housing Compliance Team.

Public Mental Health Action Plan

The Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health was scheduled to present the final version of the 'Healthy Minds' Public Mental Health Action Plan. This five-year plan, informed by the 2022 Mental Health Needs Assessment, outlines Council-led programmes to improve population mental health and prevent mental ill-health. It promotes collaborative working across council departments, NHS partners, and the voluntary sector, focusing on social and environmental factors influencing mental health. The plan is organised around four thematic areas: Growth and Success, Healthy Living, Community and Environment, and Foundations for Wellbeing. It was noted that the plan aligns with the Council's Prevention Framework and the Health in All Policies approach. The report highlighted that an Equality Impact Needs Analysis (EINA) had been undertaken, identifying increased prevalence and complexity of mental health conditions, particularly for vulnerable groups. The plan aims to provide person-led community support, strengthen social care pathways, and improve integrated support for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs. The Cabinet was recommended to approve the five-year cross-council Public Mental Health Action Plan for Wandsworth.