The Director of Housing submitted a report to request that Cabinet recommend to Council to approve the following policies: electrical safety, and legionella policies to ensure the maintenance of the housing stock. 

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Electrical Safety Policy.

2.    Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Legionella Policy.

Cabinet resolved to:

1. Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Electrical Safety Policy.
2. Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Legionella Policy.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to request that Cabinet recommend to Council to approve the following policies: electrical safety, and legionella policies to ensure the maintenance of the housing stock. 

Councillor Linda Smith presented the report. She said that it was two policies for them to recommend to Council for approval. She said that the policies set out the high standards that they have for their Council properties. She said that these were not just operational guidance, but are published policies that will be there for residents to refer to and hold them to account.

James Watkins, the Housing Policy and Projects Officer, thanked the residents who participated in the residents’ policy review group. He thanked them for their work and commitment and noted that their views had shaped and changed the policies that they had submitted for consideration. Regarding the policies, he said that the electrical safety policy reflects the needs for EICRs, which is a legal requirement. He said that if there was an immediate issue, there would be an immediate response. He said that the policy shows their commitment to the safety of residents.

The Housing Policy and Projects Officer presented the legionella policy. He said that there was a need for this policy on a systematic basis, as well as a regulatory one. He said that this policy states what needs to be put in place to protect individuals who are particularly vulnerable to legionella. Th policy states that for vulnerable residents, there would be weekly checks. He outlined the mechanisms that would be introduced to address the risks of legionella and approaches to mitigating the bacteria that leads to legionella. He added that the robustness of the policies and their measures were in the best interest to keep their residents safe.

Cabinet resolved to:

1. Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Electrical Safety Policy.
2. Recommend to full Council to approve and adopt the Legionella Policy.