William Eichler 08 August 2023

Councils face £18m bill from new housing standards

Councils face £18m bill from new housing standards image
Image: Clare Louise Jackson / Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities could be stuck with an £18m bill to implement new government housing standards, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

Under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, senior housing management staff will be required to complete qualifications up to a certain level as part of the Government’s drive to improve housing standards.

While voicing support for the move to improve standards, the LGA said that the changes are likely to cost councils £17.9m in the first two years and then £3.7m a year after that.

The association said that these additional costs need to be fully funded by Government to prevent costs falling on over-stretched Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs).

Cllr Linda Taylor, LGA housing spokesperson, said that local authorities were ‘fully committed’ to improving the quality of social housing available, including ensuring housing staff were fully trained. However, she said that the new requirements should be ‘fully funded.’

‘Councils’ Housing Revenue Accounts are already facing unsustainable financial pressures, and this would be an additional burden which risks impacting on councils’ ability to fulfil their roles effectively as housing authorities.’

Cllr Taylor also added that councils need more time to plan and implement the new requirements under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Planning and Coastal Management

East Suffolk Council
£87,358 - £99,018 per annum, plus benefits
Following a restructure which has placed the current postholder in a critically important role East Suffolk
Recuriter: East Suffolk Council

Deputyship Caseworker

Essex County Council
£23344 - £26620 per annum
Deputyship CaseworkerPermanent, Full TimeUp to £24,309 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Engineer

Bristol City Council
£40,221 - £51,515
As part of a friendly and enthusiastic team, you will play an important role in designing innovative urban transport and public realm projects 100 Temple Street Redcliff Bristol BS1 6AN
Recuriter: Bristol City Council

Intelligence Manager - Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Essex County Council
Up to £69262 per annum
Intelligence Manager - Quantitative and Qualitative ResearchFixed Term, Full Timeup to £69,262 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Research Strategy and Governance Manager

Essex County Council
Up to £70364 per annum
Research Strategy and Governance ManagerFixed Term, Full Timeup to £70,364 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.