Agenda item

Martin Kerrigan, Fire Safety Assurance Manager:

a.    presented an update to Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee on City of Lincoln Council’s (CoLC’s) position regarding building safety compliance in relation to Housing stock; focussing on three of the ‘Big 7’ areas of building safety compliance including Electrical Safety, Water Supply (Legionella) and Gas Safety, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the officer’s report

b.    reported that the compliance report was distributed to Lincoln Tenants Panel (LTP) on 21 February 2025 and discussed at a resident involvement meeting on 24 February 2025; comments received were responded to and the report was accepted

c.     advised that the Council monitored performance on our landlord responsibilities as a whole in the following areas

·       Fire Safety

·       Electrical Safety

·       Water Safety (Legionella)

·       Asbestos Management

·       Gas Safety

·       Lifts

·       Radon

d.    highlighted that at the meeting of Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 8 August 2025, members requested a six-monthly update on performance related to building safety compliance, focussed on three of the six key areas to give an understanding of performance for all safety measures

e.    reported that overall performance would be monitored and shown by percentage of compliance and Risk Advisory Group (RAG) rated, this would then provide the method for future reporting to enable measurement of improvement and inform the Directorate of highlighted risk to allow for comment, direction and action

f.      explained that to assist the reader the areas of compliance, relevant legislation and landlord responsibilities, had been summarised to add context on each requirement to capture risk, mitigation and performance to complete the context and to allow for clear responses to questions arising

g.    highlighted performance against the indicator were RAG rated, as follows:

·       Green J: At target

·       Amber K: Within 10% of target

·       Red L: below 10% of target

h.    summarised that from the Directorate of Housing and Investment compliance report the key issues identified relating to building safety compliance were:

·       Increased timescales with getting injunctions and gaining access to properties that had an expired Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.

·       Low access rates to complete Domestic Legionella Risk Assessments.

i.      invited members questions and comments.

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail.

Questions and comments received were responded to by officers as follows:

Question: The number of electrical inspections carried out was not at a par with gas inspections. Hopefully improvements could be made to performance figures and tenants informed we would be carrying out electrical testing.

Response: The Building Compliance Team were trying to get the message across to tenants that access to properties was required for electrical testing. Improvements were being made to the website and information sent out with the January rent leaflets regarding electrical safety, fire safety and asbestos awareness.

Question: What happened in the cases of the eleven dwellings that operatives could not access?

Response: Various action was taken including telephone calls, final warning letters, action via the Tenancy Services, and injunctions obtained through the Legal Team.

Question: Could the Council not get access to the rented properties it owned at all times?

Response: Immediate access could only be obtained if there was an imminent risk of danger to life or safety.

The Chair commented that the current performance targets should be supported with a summary by officers of the reasons behind why these targets were not being achieved.

Members referred to historical problems with gaining access to properties in some areas and a great deal of work behind the scenes to try to secure this.

Response: There were multiple problems and reasons why access could not be achieved. For example tenants passed away, or went into prison. It was an exhaustive process engaging with customers regarding compliance safety.

Question: In cases where access was denied was this due to more elective basis reasons?

Response: Yes there were severe mental health issues and complex cases.

Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing highlighted that once a court order was achieved to gain access to a property it remained in place for the lifetime of the tenancy.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The next six-monthly update report be presented to Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee around September 2025, focussing on Asbestos Management, Lifts and Radon. (Fire Safety ‘was reported annually at Performance Scrutiny Committee.)

2.    The content of the Directorate of Housing and Investment Compliance Report to the City of Lincoln Council’s housing stock be noted.

3.    Any additional reports required in the future be requested through the committee process.