Council reports progress on housing failings

A council has reported making progress with its housing services following a highly critical report last year.

Southampton City Council had been criticised by the social housing regulator after finding about half of the authority's 18,000 properties did not meet government standards.

At its first ever housing scrutiny meeting, held last week, council officers said new windows were now being installed in 25 homes per week as part of a wider effort to improve conditions.

Other improvements cited included a fall in the number of empty council properties, as well as more repairs being completed on the first visit.

The council has a new draft housing strategy, which covers the period from 2026 to 2031.

As part of the draft plan, council officers said properties would now be inspected every five years.

They told the meeting that until now, the rate of inspections meant each home would only be visited on average "once every 97 years".

There are currently about 8,000 people on the council housing waiting list.

Labour councillor Andy Frampton, cabinet member for housing, criticised the previous housing strategy.

"We knew that we were in a bad place," he said. "Our stock is not in good condition.

"There are people in our city have waited too long for those repairs, and I'm sure there are people who are still waiting - but we'll get to them."

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.