Since April 2023, Somerset Council, which owns in excess of 10,000 homes, has operated via 2 models of housing management after bringing together the services of the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton Councils, the only 2 district councils which owned housing stock.
The current housing management services are split, with circa 6,000 homes managed in-house by Somerset Council and circa 4,000 homes managed by Homes in Somerset, a not-for-profit Arms-Length Management Organisation (ALMO) wholly owned by Somerset Council.
In May last year, the Council advised that it would be conducting an independent review, carried out by external consultants Savills, to identify how these services could be aligned, ensure consistency and deliver best value for money for all Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset tenants and leaseholders in the future.
External consultants, Savills, were appointed to undertake this review – or Housing Options Appraisal. Stakeholder and customer (tenant and leaseholder) engagement took place in the form of in-person meetings at local venues, online sessions and surveys to gather views and understand what really matters to our tenants and leaseholders. More information, visit the Council’s Housing Options Appraisal page.
At today’s meeting of the Somerset Council Executive, members supported the recommendation by independent consultants, Savills, to place the management of all of Somerset Council’s housing with Homes in Somerset.
The decision is subject to final consultation with Somerset Council tenants and leaseholders.
This final stage of consultation is a statutory requirement in accordance with Section 105 under the Housing Act 1985. The consultation commenced in February and will end on Wednesday 8 April after which any feedback will be collated and considered by Somerset Council.
The final decision has been delegated to Chris Hall, Executive Director for Community, Place and Economy, Somerset Council, and the outcome will be confirmed once all feedback has been considered.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for the Housing Revenue Account commented:
We recognise that the housing options appraisal process has been long. However, we wanted to ensure from the outset that the process undertaken would be comprehensive and thorough, providing us with the best quality information on which to base this important decision. We believe this has been achieved.
Our homes are so important to us and to our tenants and leaseholders – not only as somewhere to live but as key to our sense of belonging and wellbeing. It is vital that housing management services across the county are fit for the future, and I am confident that the combined knowledge, skills and expertise identified through this process, in conjunction with wider learning and best practice will deliver for all our tenants, leaseholders and colleagues.
Whatever the outcome, our tenants and leaseholders’ rights will not be affected, and Somerset Council will remain their landlord. Our tenants and leaseholders will continue to pay their rent to and remain a tenant of Somerset Council; their properties will continue to be repaired, maintained and invested in.
Next steps
The decision will be announced at the end of April.
Please note, nothing will change immediately after the decision has been made. If the recommendation is approved, there will be a transition period of around 4 months.
