Southwark Council Introduces Comprehensive Better Repairs Plan
A South London council has rolled out an ambitious new repairs programme designed to enhance its social housing maintenance services. Southwark Council's Better Repairs Plan incorporates innovative technology and establishes dedicated neighbourhood teams to tackle persistent issues such as damp and mould more effectively.
Addressing Serious Failings in Social Housing
The initiative comes in response to a damning report from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in November 2024, which identified serious failings in the council's role as a social housing landlord. The RSH assigned Southwark a grading of C3, the second worst rating for consumer standards, mandating significant improvements.
The plan was formally presented during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, February 2, where council tenants shared their distressing experiences with the existing repairs service. Residents from estates like Kingswood in West Dulwich recounted instances of incorrect engineers being dispatched, leading to prolonged delays in fixing critical issues such as heating and water systems.
Neighbourhood Teams and Enhanced Accountability
Councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, outlined the core components of the Better Repairs Plan. The council will create Neighbourhood Repairs Teams in the North, Central, and South areas of Southwark. These teams aim to foster clear ownership and build stronger relationships with residents, ensuring operatives are familiar with the buildings and the people they serve.
Mwangangye emphasised the council's commitment to delivering a repairs service that residents deserve, promising necessary changes to improve standards. The plan also includes measures to increase accountability, addressing concerns raised by tenants about the lack of oversight and prioritisation in repair work.
Innovative Technology for Early Detection
A key feature of the new programme is the adoption of advanced technology, including sensors and data heat maps, to detect damp and mould issues at an earlier stage. This proactive approach is expected to prevent minor problems from escalating into major repairs, improving living conditions for tenants.
The council aims to reduce its reliance on subcontractors by ensuring that up to 90 percent of repairs are handled by in-house staff. Additionally, self-service options will be enhanced, allowing residents to track repairs online for greater transparency and convenience.
Financial Savings and Reinvestment
Southwark Council projects that the Better Repairs Plan will yield substantial financial benefits, with savings of £1.3 million anticipated in the 2026/27 financial year, rising to £2.2 million annually thereafter. These savings are earmarked for reinvestment into council homes, potentially funding further improvements and maintenance.
Political Criticism and Resident Distrust
Despite the council's optimistic outlook, the plan has faced criticism from opposition groups. Councillor Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, described the new repairs service as too little, too late. He argued that the Labour-run council has failed to learn from previous housing scandals and the RSH's findings, citing ongoing reports of delayed or neglected repairs and untreated damp and mould from residents.
Chamberlain highlighted a pervasive loss of trust among tenants, suggesting that piecemeal changes are insufficient to restore confidence in the council's ability to manage social housing effectively.
The Better Repairs Plan represents Southwark Council's latest effort to overhaul its repairs service, but its success will ultimately depend on implementation and sustained engagement with residents to address long-standing grievances.
