Warwick District Council's Cabinet has recommended a report to Full Council setting out a plan of action to improve the quality, safety and sustainability of its housing stock.

The report, which was revealed at a meeting, held on Thursday 5 February, also included plans to invest in building new council homes.

The new Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan includes the creation of new staff resources and the continued roll out of the 'low cost, low carbon programme to upgrade its existing housing stock to an EPC rating C or above.

There's also a commitment to invest further in essential works to high-risk buildings. Plans are in place to increase the number of affordable, energy efficient homes with more than 400 new council homes being developed over the next five years.

The Council is also continuing its improvement journey following a C3 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing in 2024; with plans to create around 40 new posts across Housing Services in 2026/27.

These new posts will help strengthen support for residents, including a dedicated team to tackle antisocial behaviour and more housing officers to improve tenant engagement and support independent living.

Additional specialists will focus on complaints and consumer standards, while new roles in building safety, compliance, asset data and tenant liaison will help ensure homes are safe and well-managed.

Cllr Jess Melrose, Portfolio Holder for Housing commented: "Underpinned by financial sustainability, these plans give us the resources we need to improve the service we offer our residents, from building safety and repairs to tackling antisocial behaviour, whilst also increasing the provision of council homes across the district.

advertisement

"By increasing our capacity to handle complaints, particularly around repairs, we can resolve issues more quickly and ease pressure on our wider teams.

"Overall, this investment strengthens accountability, improves responsiveness and helps us deliver safer homes and better services for our tenants."

The Housing Revenue Account, Budget and Rent report is available on the Warwick District Council website. Ends Notes to editors The Regulator of Social Housing sets the rules that all social landlords, including councils, must follow.

These rules were updated in February 2024 and came into force on 1 April 2024. Landlords now have to carry out a condition survey for every home and keep better information about residents, so services can be tailored to individual needs.

Recent fire and building safety laws have also increased the responsibilities placed on landlords.

More information can be found about how the Regulator checks and grades landlords on the gov.uk website.