The reports highlight positive progress across a range of housing priorities, including improved performance against housing standards, delivery of affordable homes, investment in adaptations and damp and mould prevention, and the introduction of a new Pet Policy for council tenants.

Members will consider the refreshed Housing Service Improvement Plan 2025-2028, setting out the priorities for the Housing Service during 2026/27.

The five priorities remain unchanged, but the actions underneath them have been reviewed and sharpened using the latest performance and benchmarking information, tenant feedback, complaints, audit and assurance findings, regulatory requirements and wider changes affecting the service.

The refreshed plan focuses on improvement of activity on the areas where the evidence shows further progress is needed, while building improvements already being seen. It also recognises the wider pressures affecting housing performance and focuses on the council’s response on the areas it can directly control or influence.

The plan is supported by strengthened performance reporting and management arrangements, with further work planned during 2026/27 to improve data quality, quality assurance and oversight of service performance.

A new Pet Policy is also being presented for approval, providing a clearer and more consistent approach to pet ownership in council homes.

The policy will require existing tenants with pets to declare them from January 2027, helping the council maintain accurate records and support responsible pet ownership. Requests for permission will generally be approved where pets are suitable for the property, can be cared for appropriately and are not expected to negatively affect neighbours, property conditions or animal welfare.

The policy will be introduced gradually, with full implementation planned by June 2027.

The Housing Service’s latest Performance and Improvement Update shows a positive direction of travel across a number of areas, while also identifying where further improvement is needed.

Performance has improved across a range of measures, including tenant satisfaction, rent collection and areas of repairs performance. There has also been progress in reducing the use of unsuitable temporary accommodation and breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order.

However, the council recognises that significant challenges remain. Improving the time taken to re-let empty homes remains a key priority, alongside rent arrears, aspects of repairs performance and continuing pressures arising from homelessness and demand for affordable housing.

The performance position needs to be understood within a wider housing environment. Demand for affordable housing and homelessness services remains high, while the supply of suitable homes is constrained. Financial pressures on households and capacity within the contractor market can also affect service performance.

While some of these wider pressures sit outside the council’s direct control, the Housing Service is focusing improvement activity on the areas it can control or influence. This includes improving void management, strengthening rent collection and early intervention, improving repairs and contractor performance, making better use of available housing supply, and continuing to strengthen performance reporting and management.

The council is also continuing work towards full electrical and fire safety compliance, with the small number of outstanding cases largely associated with gaining access to properties. Contractors remain on course to achieve full compliance by 31 October 2026.

A progress report on the Local Housing Strategy 2023 - 2028 highlights significant achievements across Angus.

The council has exceeded its annual affordable housing supply target, continued to improve housing across different tenures and strengthened tenant participation. Work is also continuing to prevent homelessness, reduce reliance on unsuitable temporary accommodation, and respond to the housing emergency declared by Angus Council in 2024.

Members will also consider an Interim Housing Asset Management Strategy covering the period 2026 - 2029.

The strategy will guide how council housing assets are managed, maintained and improved over the next three years while important work continues to strengthen stock condition information and long-term investment planning.

This includes completion of a comprehensive stock condition survey programme and implementation of a new Housing Asset Management System, which will help shape future investment decisions.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Plan has been updated following a review of projects and year-end financial monitoring.

The 2026/27 capital programme has been revised from £18.164 million to £17.213m, reflecting the rephasing of some new-build and internal improvement projects. The funding remains within the programme and has not been lost.

The revised programme includes increased investment in:

• Aids and adaptations to help tenants live independently.
• Essential sheltered housing improvements.
• Damp and mould prevention and remediation measures.
• Priority repairs and maintenance works.

The updated programme ensures investment continues to focus on tenant safety, housing quality, and supporting vulnerable residents.

Housing convener, Cllr Jill Scott, said: “These reports collectively demonstrate our continued commitment to providing safe, warm and well-maintained homes for our tenants while investing in the long-term future of council housing across Angus.

“We’re encouraged to see improvement across a number of important areas, particularly at a time when housing services are dealing with very high demand and significant change. We’re also clear about where further improvement is needed. Reducing the time homes remain empty, tackling arrears, improving aspects of the repairs service and responding to homelessness pressures all remain priorities.

“Some of the pressures affecting performance, such as housing demand and the availability of suitable homes, are wider challenges that the council cannot resolve alone. Our focus is on making sure we do everything we can within our control, while working with partners and continuing to invest in new and existing homes.

“The refreshed Improvement Plan gives us a clear focus for that work, while the investment and asset management plans will help us continue to improve the quality, safety and sustainability of council homes across Angus.”