Cheltenham Borough Council moves to reclaim housing stock

Cheltenham Borough Homes have managed the councils homes for 20 years

Cheltenham Borough Council wants to take back control of its housing stock by closing down its management firm.

Civic chiefs want to bring housing management back in-house following a 20-year partnership with Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH).

The move is due to "increasing financial pressures" and a change in funding from central Government.

The council said current tenants, leaseholders and customers would not be affected by the changes.

When CBH was formed 20 years ago, councils could access central government funding to help bring homes up to the Decent Homes Standard - a minimum standard that social homes are required to meet.

In 2016, Government funding for bring social homes up to this standard came to an end.

On top of that, new Social Housing (Regulation) Act - which improves standards of social housing - means the council will be subject to increase scrutiny and regulation.

Ms Hay says bringing services together into the council will give them the opportunity to work directly with tenants

Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said the cost of living crisis has also placed significant financial pressures on the provision of services.

The council has also set out plans to deliver more homes and be net carbon zero by 2030.

Ms Hay added: "By bringing services together into the council, we have the opportunity to work directly with tenants and leaseholders to further develop best practise."

During the transition, tenants can report issues and complaints in the same way as they did before.

Cheltenham Borough Council wants to take back control of its housing stock by closing down its management firm.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the proposal at a meeting on 17 October.

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