Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Operations.

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Group Director of Operations requesting that consideration be given to the Housing Services Domestic Gas and Heating Safety Policy 2024/29 and the Housing Services Domestic Electrical Safety Policy 2024/29 (both also previously circulated).

The submitted report outlined the background to the proposal to develop the Housing Services Domestic Gas and Heating Safety Policy 2024/29 and the Housing Services Domestic Electrical Safety Policy 2024/29, in order to ensure the safety of the Council’s tenants, staff, partners and the wider community who may be affected by gas and electrical installations and appliances, associated flues and pipework in properties that are owned by the Council, or have a responsibility for managing them.

It was reported that the Housing Services Domestic Gas and Heating Safety Policy 2024/29 and the Housing Services Domestic Electrical Safety Policy 2024/29 set out the Council’s legal obligations in relation to gas and electrical safety, together with the responsibilities for its staff, contractors and tenants, to ensure they are not put at risk from the effects of gas and electricity.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That the Housing Services Domestic Gas and Heating Safety Policy 2024/29, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, and the Housing Services Domestic Electrical Safety Policy 2024/29, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS – (a)  The Housing Services Domestic Gas and Heating, and Electrical Safety Policies ensure the Council has a clear approach to the safety of its tenants, staff, partners and the wider community, who may be affected by gas and electricity in Council homes.

(b)  The Regulator of Social Housing’s new Consumer Standards from April 2024 places a duty on social housing landlords to take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of its tenants in their homes and associated communal areas.

(c)  The adoption of formal gas and electrical safety policies is one of the ways to demonstrate how we will achieve this.?????