Councillor Penny Baker

Rent Arrears Recovery Policy Review

From: Housing Policy Committee - Thursday 23 October 2025 2.00 pm - October 23, 2025

...to help ensure rent and arrears are collected, protect the Housing Revenue Account, and provide support to tenants, the Committee approved the revised Rent Arrears Recovery Policy, which includes changes such as extending the policy to cover both secure and introductory council tenancies and clarifying the ethical approach to arrears collection.

Recommendations Approved

Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring Report

From: Housing Policy Committee - Thursday 18 September 2025 10.00 am - September 18, 2025

Recommendations Approved

Procurement of Leasehold Block Insurance

From: Housing Policy Committee - Thursday 18 September 2025 10.00 am - September 18, 2025

...to ensure continued leasehold block insurance for approximately 3000 council-owned properties, the committee approved commissioning a 5-year contract with an external insurance provider, valued at up to £3 million, with the aim of awarding the contract by March 2026.

Recommendations Approved

Quarterly Housing and Repairs Performance Report 2025-26

From: Housing Policy Committee - Thursday 18 September 2025 10.00 am - September 18, 2025

...they agreed to the proposed approach and performance targets for 2025/26, as detailed in the report and appendices, and noted the housing performance update for quarter 1 of 2025/26.

Recommendations Approved

Commissioning of a Psychology Service

From: Housing Policy Committee - Thursday 18 September 2025 10.00 am - September 18, 2025

...the committee approved the recommissioning and re-procurement of a five-year contract for a psychology service, valued at £97,068 per year, to provide reflective practice and case formulation support to staff working with homeless individuals, while also recording concern about the proposed closure of a therapy service for women in supported accommodation.

Recommendations Approved