COUNCILLORS will be considering a report at outlining an action plan to reform housing services in the borough if it is passed at a meeting next week.

The report, which comes as a result of identified difficulties in the housing services, will be considered at an executive meeting tonight Tuesday, September 11 before going to council on Monday, September 17.

Cllr Craig Warhurst, who took over the housing services portfolio in May, said: “Since taking over the housing portfolio in May and after change in control of council, it became clear that the whole process has been extremely complicated, difficult, lengthy and with elements of uncertainty – as reflected in the huge report.

"However, we are now in a position to move onwards and upwards to deliver the best service for our tenants and communities. Having worked hard with the team in recent months, there are already great initiatives being implemented and ongoing improvements in place.

“I believe we need to hit the floor running in reforming housing services in the borough. It's all about safety, service improvements, review of resources, policies and budgets. With a little more time and lots of hard work, we will deliver stepped change and we will all be in a much better position with a motivated and forward looking team, to benefit our tenants both now and in the future.”

Deputy chief executive, Sue Hanley, said: “Whilst there have been a multitude of issues to consider and deal with over the last 12 months, the service and teams now have an unprecedented opportunity to shape and deliver future services in a way that we’ve never been able to achieve before.

"We now have the opportunity to develop and provide the services our tenants rightly deserve."