Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is set to consider a £121.8m investment programme to improve and modernise council homes across Bournemouth and Poole over the next five years, enhancing housing quality and living standards for residents. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
The Housing Ombudsman Service has published its latest report on severe maladministration, highlighting ongoing issues with housing hazards ahead of Phase 2 of Awaab’s Law. Drawing on cases involving landlords such as Clarion Housing Group, Hyde Group, London Borough of Lambeth, L&Q, Notting Hill Genesis and Southern Housing, the report stresses the need to better manage multiple hazards and address risks during void periods to improve resident safety. Housing Ombudsman Service
The housing secretary and mayor of London have announced emergency measures to accelerate housebuilding in London, including faster planning decisions, stronger mayoral intervention to unlock stalled sites, and support for higher-density schemes to boost delivery of new homes. GOV.UK
Anchor Hanover Group has had its long-term issuer credit rating lowered to ‘A’ from ‘A+’ by S&P Global Ratings due to higher investment needs. The outlook remains stable. S&P Global
Tenant satisfaction with council housing services is rising, with Brighton & Hove City Council reporting improvements following efforts to reduce repair backlogs and enhance home quality and safety. Similarly, Kirklees Council highlighted progress in repairs, neighbourhood services, tenant communication, and home safety, while ongoing improvement plans aim to further strengthen services. In broader local government news, the UK government has approved a plan to replace Essex’s 15 councils with five new authorities, and a report found that Warrington Council lost £100m through its controversial commercial investment strategy, contributing to a £1.8bn debt accumulated over 15 years. Brighton & Hove City Council, Kirklees Together, BBC, and BBC
Mears Group has delivered a £2m energy efficiency retrofit project in Westminster, upgrading 122 homes with improvements to make them warmer and more energy efficient, partly funded through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Mears Group
Ledbury Estate regeneration has reached a key milestone, led by Southwark Council and Higgins Partnerships, with plans to deliver 199 new homes. In Sandymoor, work has started on almost 200 new homes, including 40 affordable units through a development partnership. Meanwhile, a £26m scheme in Rugby delivered by MORRO Partnerships and Orbit Group will provide 108 affordable homes as part of wider regeneration efforts. Housing Digital, Housing Executive, and Housing Executive
Fire safety data for social housing (Q3 2025/26) shows 1,924 of 17,010 buildings have life-critical external wall defects, while over 99.5% have received a fire risk assessment. GOV.UK
Plans across England continue to show strong housing development activity, with proposals including up to 1,300 new homes on Green Belt land in Salfords, Surrey, and a separate plan for 500 homes on Highworth golf course. In London, London Borough of Lambeth Council has approved a 288-home scheme in Brixton with 40% social rent, while in Norfolk, plans for 141 new homes in Reepham have received final approval. Surrey Live, Swindon Advertiser, Housing Today (register), and Fakenham and Wells Times