Council to take back control of Cheltenham Borough Homes

They've had to take action after rising costs and regulation changes

Author: Carmelo Garcia Published 9th Oct 2023

Cheltenham Borough Council is looking to take back control of its housing stock by closing down its wholly-owned arms-length management firm Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH).

The recommendation will be considered by cabinet members at their meeting at the Municipal Offices next week.

Civic chiefs are considering the move due to rising financial pressures and a changing regulatory framework.

The Borough Council says all current CBH tenants, leaseholders and customers will not be adversely affected by the changes and, as part of a full consultation process, will be given the opportunity to state their priorities in shaping future housing services.

Councillors say the proposed changes come after a successful 20 year partnership with CBH.

CBH has established itself within the town as a well-respected organisation which achieves high levels of satisfaction for its customers.

It was originally set to manage homes on behalf of the council.

A key reason at the time was so that the council could access central government funding to help bring its homes up to the ‘Decent Homes’ standard.

In 2016, government funding for bringing social homes up to this standard came to an end, meaning that any investment in its homes since then is met from council budgets.

The new Social Housing (Regulation) Act means that the council, along with all other local housing authorities and social housing providers, will be subject to increased scrutiny and regulation.

If things go wrong, accountability rests with the council, rather than with CBH as the organisation managing homes on the council’s behalf.

The move to revert housing management back in-house, means that the council can be closer to tenants and leaseholders, hear their views directly and work together with them to shape future housing services.

Letters, containing a full bank of questions and answers, are going out to all tenants and leaseholders by email and through the post over the coming days. These can also be found on the CBH website and CBC website, from October 9.

Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) said: “Cheltenham Borough Homes has been at the heart of Cheltenham communities for 20 years.

“I would like to thank them for all that they have done in that time. With new regulations and challenging financial times, we have to change and evolve as organisations.

“By bringing services together into the council, we have the opportunity to work directly with tenants and leaseholders to further develop best practice, shape future housing needs and grow communities so they continue to thrive.

“It’s so important to us that customers continue to influence housing priorities now and into the future.

“We will consult with them on what the future of our housing services will look like beyond the transitionary period.

“Ultimately, we are answerable to our customers, so their voice is critical in how we shape the future delivery of our housing services.”

Cllr Hay said the cost of living crisis has also placed significant financial pressures on the provision of services.

“This crisis has come at a time when we have set out ambitious plans to deliver more affordable homes, and to be carbon net zero by 2030,” she added.

“In order to help meet these aims, and to ensure that we continue to provide even more quality homes and invest in our communities long into the future, we have to change the way we do things.’’

During the transitionary period, customers can continue to report issues including repairs, neighbourhood concerns and complaints in exactly the same way as before; that is directly to CBH.

Over time, the council says customers will benefit from a direct link into the authority, a more streamlined customer service as housing, waste, recycling, council tax, benefits, will all be managed through one organisation.

The move also has the potential for the council to combine teams so that they work more efficiently within neighbourhoods, so that knowledge is shared, duplication is avoided and services are efficient and more resilient.

Cabinet will consider the proposals at their meeting on October 17.

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