Council improvement plan is fit for purpose - report

A plan to make improvements at Guildford Borough Council, including within the housing department, is “fit for purpose” and “has made a good start” a report has said.

Concerns were raised in May about unnecessary work being ordered and contract overspends of millions of pounds as part of a review by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace).

The council published an improvement plan to look at more than 70 recommendations and appointed an Independent Assurance Panel to monitor its progress.

Following publication of the report, the chair of the panel, Andrew Flockhart, said: “Significant issues and risks remain, which the council must continue to address.”

The earlier Solace review had showed that a three year contract for testing and inspection of housing stock, which was agreed in October 2021, climbed to £18.9m – a £13.5m overspend.

Meanwhile, in July, the Regulator of Social Housing highlighted problems with electrical reports and certificates, including a failure by the authority to ensure it was meeting electrical safety requirements.

The Independent Assurance Panel report said the challenges facing Guildford council included a housing software system which was considered “unfit for purpose” and managing people's expectations.

It noted: “it will take time before improvements are seen by members and residents. There is a risk the resource may be viewed as not delivering on tangible results. In turn, this may have a demotivating effect on staff.”

Among its conclusions, the panel's report said: “The council’s Corporate Improvement Plan is fit for purpose. The council has made a good start to the delivery of the plans.”

Council leader Julia McShane said she was pleased with the progress, but there was still work to do.

"We won’t rest until we’ve built a resilient, well-managed council that we can all take pride in. One that truly serves our community,” she said.

A spokesperson from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (Serocu) has confirmed to the BBC that an investigation into fraud at Guildford’s housing department remains ongoing.

They also said that a man in his 50s who was arrested in March has since been released under investigation.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.