Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)      approve an additional £100k be added to this year’s budget funding from the HRA Newark and Sherwood Homes Merger Transfer reserves; and

b)      note that any additional funding will be included in 2023/24 budget setting process.

The Portfolio Holder for Homes & Health presented a report detailing information on the current number of Responsive and Programmed repairs works in the system and set out recommendations to complete these, and the future management of works going forward. The report advised that through the pandemic, the Council had restricted repairs service to cover emergencies and some external planned works until restrictions and risk assessments allowed a return to normal arrangements. This resulted in around 800 repairs in the system which had been caught up within existing resources.  However, combined with an increase in demand and a reduced resource to service them due to challenges with recruitment, there was now a further high number of newer repairs outstanding.

It was estimated that no more than £300k was required to clear the repairs on the system in full.  In order to commence works, an additional £100k was required within the current financial year. The works would be distributed to several contractors currently working for the Council.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)      approve an additional £100k be added to this year’s budget funding from the HRA Newark and Sherwood Homes Merger Transfer reserves; and

b)      note that any additional funding will be included in 2023/24 budget setting process.

Reasons for Decision

To support the Repairs Team to ensure tenants homes are well maintained whilst we make improvements to our service delivery.

Options Considered

To continue to use existing resources to gradually reduce repairs workload.