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Midlands council self-refers to RSH after audit concludes ‘no assurance’ over safety
A council in the East Midlands has referred itself to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) after an audit raised serious concerns about widespread safety issues in its service.
South Kesteven Council, which owns around 6,000 homes, was deemed “not to have adequate controls for housing compliance” on gas, electrical, legionella, asbestos and fire safety in a recent report by RSM Risk Assurance Services.
Issuing a conclusion of “no assurance”, auditors warned that “action needs to be taken to ensure risks relating to housing compliance safety checks are effectively managed”.
South Kevesten covers the area east of Nottingham and includes the town of Grantham.
Among seven findings attached to high-priority actions, the report said that spreadsheets holding data on fire safety, solid fuel and legionella does not include “key information” such as “the last safety check, next safety checks and any notes relating to remedial actions or access to the property”.
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Fire risk assessments for the council have not been reviewed in 2020, while an electrical testing programme for 2020 has not been implemented, it added.
Councillors and senior management are also not provided with regular reports and core data on housing compliance performance, the audit found.
In a statement, the council said it is implementing a comprehensive action plan to resolve the issues while the regulator is also investigating.
It has written to all tenants about the findings of the audit and set up a dedicated helpline.
A further stock condition survey has been commissioned and the local authority has promised to increase the resources available for improving its homes.
Karen Bradford, chief executive of South Kesteven Council, and Kelham Cooke, leader of the council, said: “As a local authority and social housing landlord, our immediate priority is and always will be our tenants.
“Therefore, we commissioned an independent audit and are taking direct action to address the areas highlighted in the report.
“I am sorry that in some areas, we have fallen below the standards expected of us and I would like to reassure our tenants that we are working hard to put things right.
“Throughout this process, we will continue working closely with the Regulator of Social Housing.”
The RSH declined to comment.
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