Decision Details

East Suffolk Council is required to have an Asset Management Strategy for our housing portfolio. This new strategy covers the period 2026-2030 and ensures increased capital investment, to reach full compliance with the Decent Homes Standard.

The strategy has five key objectives, being:

1. Ensuring Long-Term Value – through the development of a ‘Homes for 2050’ Standard and an asset appraisal model to guide development, investment, redevelopment, and disposal decisions.

2. Improving Operational Efficiency – by streamlining service delivery, enhancing procurement, and maximising rental income through reduced voids.

3. Delivering Investment and Safety for Residents – ensuring compliance, robust stock condition data, and a person-centred approach to health and safety.

4. Providing for the Future through Sustainability – improving EPC ratings, tackling fuel poverty, and embedding environmental impact into development decisions.

5. Governance and Risk Management – ensuring transparent delivery through resident engagement, performance scrutiny, and proactive risk mitigation. The full strategy is attached to this report in Appendix A.

Option 1, which is recommended is for Cabinet to approve the Asset Management Strategy 2026-2030. This will ensure homes are invested in and meet the required standards.

Option 2, which is not recommended would be to not adopt the strategy, but this would prevent a planned investment programme and could lead to further regulatory issues.

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the Housing Asset Management Strategy (Draft version), attached as Appendix A.

2. Gave delegated authority to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing to make any presentational or clarificatory improvements or minor non-material amendments as necessary prior to its publication, including updating any data where this becomes available in the intervening period.

3. Gave delegated authority to Head of Housing to conduct an annual review of progress against the strategy and action plan, which should be reported to Cabinet and ensure the quarterly key performance indicators are reported as part of ESC’s Corporate Performance Framework.