Wiltshire Council housing services show readiness for enhanced national standards

Wiltshire Council’s housing services have delivered improved performance for tenants over the past year, while strengthening safety, compliance and governance ahead of enhanced national regulation.

A new annual report to Cabinet highlights progress made across council-owned homes between December 2024 and November 2025, including higher tenant satisfaction, improved safety compliance and continued investment in existing homes and new council housing.

Tenant satisfaction has risen by five per cent compared with the previous year and now sits above the national benchmark. Arrears remain low at just over two per cent of rent due, outperforming targets, while the council’s digital housing portal continues to grow, with more than 60 per cent of tenants now signed up.

The report shows the council has taken a proactive approach to preparing for strengthened regulation of social housing, including the new consumer standards and the introduction of new legislation regarding damp and mould in its homes.  A single consolidated Housing Revenue Account action plan is now in place to track improvement activity, alongside refreshed performance scorecards, independent audits and a mock inspection against the new regulatory standards.

Investment in existing homes continues to be significant in scale and pace. Over the past year, hundreds of improvements have been delivered, including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, insulation, heating upgrades and solar panels – helping to improve comfort, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.

The council’s housebuilding programme also continues, more than 440 homes have now been completed across the first three phases of the programme, with a further pipeline of homes identified through a mix of new developments, purchases and partnerships with developer-led sites.

Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: “Good council housing is about safety, security and trust. This report shows that we are delivering real improvements for tenants, while also putting the right system in place to meet higher national standards.

“We’re seeing rising satisfaction, low rent arrears and continued investment in homes and communities. Just as importantly, we’re strengthening our governance and data so we can respond quickly, transparently and effectively to issues when they arise.”

The Housing Board, which oversees council housing services, brings together councillors, tenants and independent members to provide scrutiny and assurance. The annual report was considered for noting by Cabinet on 20 January, and was also presented to Environment Select Committee on 15 January.

The Housing Board Annual Report 2024/45 can be found at https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/s244451/Annual%20Hsg%20Report%20for%20Cabinet%20ESC%20-%20Final%20-%20Publish%20version%20-%20Jan%2026.pdf