‘C4’-rated Newham Council to shake up procurement in £18m plan to improve existing stock

Newham Council this week agreed an £18m plan to speed up its delivery of Decent Homes works as part of its response to being handed the lowest possible consumer grading by the Regulator of Social Housing.

The council is currently one of only two social landlords -the other being Castle Point Borough Council in Essex- to be handed the ‘C4’ grading since the new regulatory regime came into effect last April. The grading indicates there “very serious failings” and “fundamental changes” are needed.

The Regulator of Social Housing said in October that Newham Council has at least 20% of its homes that are not meeting the Decent Homes Standard.

To address the regulator’s concern, Newham councillors have agreed an £18m strategy to speed up work on more than 3,400 homes.

The local authority will implement a new procurement process, establishing four separate contracts – covering the whole of the borough – which will be subject to an external tender process.

The decent homes works proposed include upgrades to: kitchens and bathrooms, electrical installations, insulation and ventilation and replacement of windows.

>>See also: Why are councils getting low consumer regulation gradings?

>>See also: Newham Council becomes first social landlord to receive lowest ‘C4’ consumer grade

Blossom Young, cabinet member for housing landlord and tenant experience, said: “As part of our response to the Regulator of Social Housing’s judgement, we need to accelerate our planned programme of delivery to bring more properties up to Decent Homes Standard.

“To make this happen we need an efficient and effective route to deliver the programme of outstanding works are bringing in external contractors to assist with this. This approach will not only help to speed up delivery for thousands of residents, but enable the housing service to focus on other aspects of our improvement works”