Last November (https://brian-riley.blog/2023/11/03/meanwhile-on-planet-babergh-3/) I reported on a meeting of Babergh and Mid-Suffolk Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee
One of the key areas looked at was the Annual Review of the Joint Homes and Housing Annual Strategy. Lurking at the back of the paper was the delivery plan which included the following new task: 
“Ensure we deliver a quality repairs and planned works service by holding our contractors to account. Making sure they respond to works orders in a timely manner as set out in their contract KPIs and our tenancy agreements.” 
I was told that we were not checking on contractors’ repairs and the problem was one of resources. In which case we needed a reallocation of resources from writing about work to doing it. I was given to understand that inspectoins would commence in April 2024.
So it was with a sense of some anticipation that I attended this October’s Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. One of the key areas looked at was the Annual Review of the Joint Homes and Housing Annual Strategy and so at an appropriate time I raised the matter of the inspecting contractors’ work. To my surprise I was told that no inspections were taking place. This was due to a misapplication (my word) of resources. It appears that the Housing Department is focussing on Policies, Protocols & Procedures ignoring the obvious that it’s sharp end performance that counts.
The inspection regime should commence in January or February and that this timescale was realistic.
There was no sense of embarrassment that their focus was inwards and not towards their relationships with contractors.  Nor was there any appreciation of the moral hazards of not checking on contractors.
The meeting can be viewed on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fhaNOul8wo) and my questions are featured just before the two hour milestone. I confess I had trouble keeping a civil tongue in my head.

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It has not been approved nor is it endorsed by Babergh District Council or South Suffolk Conservative Association
The copyright on the housing image is owned by Oast House Archive