Message from the Housing Portfolio Holder

We have made good progress this year towards our Stronger, Fairer, Greener plan for Powys and I would like to thank you for all you do to look after your home and your community.

We have launched a new Stock Condition Survey (SCS) to ensure our homes meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023. This initiative helps us assess the condition of our housing stock and plan improvements that matter most to tenants.

The SCS supports better planning for repairs and upgrades and helps us improve energy efficiency. It also contributes to our decarbonisation goals by creating Target Energy Pathways (TEPs) for each home — helping reduce bills and improve comfort.

The survey is key to meeting WHQS. We're using a new digital system to collect data more efficiently and improve quality. This means better planning and more confidence that our homes meet the standards tenants deserve.

We're listening. Feedback from trial surveys has already shaped the project, and we're working with the Tenant Scrutiny Panel to gather more insights. If you've had a survey or have thoughts about the process, we want to hear from you.

The end of this year will bring significant change for the Housing Service as we say goodbye to our Head of Service Andy Thompson.  Andy is retiring and I would like to wish him a long and happy retirement.

I pay tribute to Andy and his dedication to Council housing. The Council Housing Service he leaves behind is much stronger thanks to his care, attention to detail and his expertise.

The Council is currently undertaking a process to recruit to Andy's successor, and I am pleased that tenants are playing a key role in the recruitment process. We will let you know who our new Head of Housing is in the next edition.

With best wishes,

Cllr Matthew Dorrance
Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys