Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

1.    Adopt the H&F Council Housing Retrofit Strategy (Appendix 1) and action plan (Appendix 2).

2.    Note the housing retrofit projects already delivered and underway.

Councillor Frances Umeh (Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness) introduced the report that recommended Cabinet adopted a retrofit strategy and action plan for the Council’s homes that would be delivered through the updated Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Plan.

Councillor Umeh said the Council wanted residents to live in decent, safe and warm homes and the strategy would improve the energy efficiency of council housing stock, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce fuel poverty.

Councillor Adronie Alford noted that leaseholders were worried about additional costs, and she asked the Council to ensure costs were carefully monitored and there were no excessive charges for leaseholders. Careful monitoring of the costs. Councillor Umeh said the Council had carried out extensive consultation and were looking at ways to be as cost effective as possible, including using Government funding. In response to a question about extended payment plans, Councillor Umeh said the Council would consider all viable options.

Councillor Stephen Cowan (Leader of the Council) said the issue of leaseholder charges was important and assured that, though there had been high costs in previous eras, there had been a cultural shift to tackle those costs and get value for money. He said retrofitting was about reducing overall costs, and cost was at the centre of the Council thinking for both leaseholders and tenants.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.    Adopt the H&F Council Housing Retrofit Strategy (Appendix 1) and action plan (Appendix 2).

2.    Note the housing retrofit projects already delivered and underway.