11. Housing Asset and Investment Programme 2024-25 Update
Renfrewshire Council · 13 May 2025
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 13 May 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 13 May 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing Asset and Investment Programme 2024/25 Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Investment Plan is approved each year by the Council and sets out a range of investment programmes for our housing assets. 1.2 Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Asset and Investment Team is responsible for the implementation and management of the Housing Asset Management Strategy and the delivery of housing capital investment projects throughout Renfrewshire. 1.3 In April 2024 a Housing Asset and Investment Programme Board was established to provide strategic oversight, governance and scrutiny, ensuring programme objectives align with corporate initiatives and housing investment works comply with the relevant legislative and regulatory standards for social housing. 1.4 The policy board are provided with regular updates on the capital investment programme in the service update reports throughout the course of the year. This report is the first annual report which provides an overview of the projects delivered within the housing asset and investment programme in 2024/25 and also provides information around the governance structure in place with regards to officer membership and reporting methods for the Programme Board. 1.5 The report also outlines the plans for the 2025/26 investment programme. 1.6 Appendix A provides some photos of completed works.
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___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the progress made in the housing asset and investment programme 2024/2025. 2.2 Notes the establishment of the Housing Asset and Investment Programme Board and the associated governance structure that has been put in place. 2.3 Notes the proposed plans for the 2025/26 housing asset and investment programme. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background Programme Governance 3.1 The HRA Capital Investment Plan is approved by the Council each year as part of the annual budget and rent level setting process. Significant amounts of expenditure are set out within the capital plan, both for new build housing and investment in existing housing stock. 3.2 Financial monitoring of the capital plan is reported to the policy board throughout the year and the board also receives an annual update on the Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme, as well as regular updates within the service update report throughout the year. 3.3 It was recognised that the significant level of investment in our existing housing stock, which has increased in recent years, and which will continue at similar high levels in the future, required a governance and reporting structure similar to that which was already in place for the Regeneration and Renewal programme. 4. Housing Asset and Investment Programme Governance 4.1 Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Asset and Investment Programme Board was established in April 2024 to oversee the performance and delivery of the Housing Asset Management Strategy and investment projects within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital investment portfolio. Although still in its early stages, the board provides a central governance structure to guide investment decisions and monitor programme delivery. As it matures, the programme board will take on an expanded remit to incorporate other aspects of the Housing Capital Programme. 4.2 A structured framework has been established that defines decision making authority, accountability and oversight of the Housing Asset and Investment Programme chaired by the Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure and comprising of Chief Officers and Senior Officers. Clear roles and responsibilities are assigned across the project team and regular governance reviews, risk management and performance monitoring are embedded within each project.
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It should be recognised that the Housing Asset and Investment Team are also responsible for the delivery of regeneration projects in existing housing stock within the designated regeneration areas, and these are governed by the Regeneration and Renewal Programme Board. 4.3 The governance structure incorporates thematic groups, bringing together representatives from various council departments, serving as a collaborative forum designed to facilitate and promote discussion. The housing asset management thematic group’s primary role is to ensure that all relevant perspectives, expertise, and resources are considered in the planning and implementation of improvements A mixed tenure block thematic group was established by the Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme Board and due to the shared interest in this area, it is now a joint thematic group. 4.4 There are currently three key housing investment programme workstreams which are reviewed by the programme board: External Housing Investment Internal Housing Investment Investment in High-Rise Blocks 4.5 This annual report presents an overview of the progress and performance of the Housing Asset and Investment Programme for 2024/25 and an outline of the plans for the 2025/26.
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The programme continues to focus on enhancing the external fabric of properties, improving energy efficiency and extending the lifespan of Renfrewshire Council’s homes, in addition to ensuring internal components are modernised and continue to meet regulatory standards. Appendix 1 of this report contains photographs of some examples of works which have been completed over the course of the last year. 5. 2024/25 Housing Investment Programme Progress Summary: 5.1 The HRA Budget and Rent Level paper approved by the Council on 29th Feb 2024 set out the following targets for housing investment in 2024/25. External Fabric Upgrade 700 properties Kitchen, bathroom & rewiring replacement 220 properties Heating Renewals 300 properties 5.2 External Housing Investment The external housing investment programme continues to focus on improving energy efficiency across Renfrewshire homes with the installation of External Wall Insulation (EWI) that reduces heat loss and lower carbon emissions, contributing to the national Net-Zero ambitions set out by the Scottish Government. Properties within Renfrewshire have received EWI that aligns with the Scottish Governments Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) . This programme also involves essential works that may include all or some of the following’ roof and gutter replacement, replacement rendering, solar PV, loft insulation and common windows and doors. ECD Architects were appointed in May 2022 as a multi-disciplinary design team responsible for the design and specification of retrofit and regeneration works for the Housing Asset and Investment Programme. They have responsibility for submitting building warrant applications to ensure that work specifications and drawings meet required building standards. From April 2024 to March 2025, the external investment, retrofit works programme has successfully delivered the work elements in the below number of properties across Renfrewshire.
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Main Works – Retrofit Programme 24/25 Upgrade Element Johnstone & Villages Paisley Renfrew Council Owner Council Owner Council Owner External Wall Standard Render 6 6 3 1 6 2 Cavity Wall InsulaƟon (CWI) & Solar PV 9 External Wall InsulaƟon (EWI) Only 44 12 3 7 EWI full envelope & chimney removal 20 14 EWI full envelope & chimney render 33 31 14 10 8 6 EWI full envelope & chimney render, Including Common Windows and Doors 1 1 4 4 EWI full envelope & chimney render, PV, Including Common Windows and Doors 2 2 EWI Full envelope, PV & chimney removal 17 2 8 1 EWI Full envelope, PV & chimney removal, Including Common Windows and Doors 22 2 8 28 EWI Full Envelope, PV & chimney render 3 1 EWI full envelope, PV & Including Common Windows and Doors 2 2 EWI Full envelope, PV & Comm windows, stair wall removal and rebuild 8 Roof Only 1 3 Total: 146 69 50 25 52 11 Total Council Properties Benefited from Upgrades 248 Total Owner Properties Benefited from Upgrades 105 Total Benefited Properties 353
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A separate programme of investment was also delivered to properties which required a reduced number of external fabric measures including the installation of windows, Solar PV and loft insulation. From April 2024 to March 2025, the external windows, solar PV and loft insulation programme has successfully completed various combinations of the following elements in the properties listed below. Window Replacement/Solar PV/Loft Insulation Programme 24/25 Investment Area Upgrade Element: Windows Upgrade Element: Loft Insulation Upgrade Element: Solar PV Johnstone & Villages 211 120 235 Paisley North 21 1 7 Gallowhill 33 4 18 Paisley South 181 35 86 Renfrew 19 15 21 Total: 465 175 367 Total upgrades complete: 1007 Total No of Properties Benefited from Upgrades 568 5.3 Internal Housing Investment Internal investment in Renfrewshire’s housing stock includes the replacement of kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems and electrical rewiring where required. Kitchen, bathroom, heating replacements and rewires have been carried out by Building Services and external appointed contractors on a reactive basis through the void works programme and other adhoc reactive works including as a result of fire damage, rotworks or heating failures. The numbers carried out in 2024/25 through these work programmes are noted below: Upgrade Element: No of Upgrades: Kitchens 174 Bathrooms 104 Rewires 91 Gas Boiler only 64 Full GCH systems 249 Total upgrades complete: 682 Total Properties Benefited from Upgrades 449
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In addition to this, Bell Group UK were appointed for one year in October 2024 to undertake internal housing investment works with property survey activities commencing in November 2024 and running concurrently with installs which started in January 2025. This project is anticipated to complete in September 2025 consisting of 179 new kitchens; 107 new bathrooms; 80 electrical rewire and 20 boiler replacements. Whilst this contact is in the early stages, there has been positive progress with 76 property surveys carried out and 18 properties completed to date. A small number of pilot projects for air source heat pumps have also been carried out with 3 installed in 2024/25. 5.4 Contractor Performance The Housing Asset and Investment Programme Board recognise the need for effective management of contractors involved in the programme’s delivery. Each contract is managed by the Housing Asset & Investment Team in conjunction with procurement and performance is reported to the Project Board. The inclusion of key performance indicators enables the assessment of contractor performance against clearly defined standards, ensuring works are delivered on time, within budget and to the expected quality. Community benefits are also monitored to ensure social value and support economic growth within Renfrewshire including job creation job opportunities. Contractor performance meetings are held quarterly, attended by senior officers and contractor stakeholders to assess contractor performance. Tenant and resident satisfaction is a key measure in determining the success of the external programme. The project team are committed to a resident focussed approach, collaborating with tenants and owners in identifying potential areas of improvement and encouraging feedback on contractor performance. This is conducted through dedicated Liaison Officer resources within the housing investment team. Regular on-site visits by Clerk of Works and Liaison Officer staff ensure that residents are fully informed, supported and engaged throughout the duration of the improvement works. From April 2024 to March 2025, levels of tenant satisfaction associated with the external improvement works carried out by the MP Group continue to be high with a cumulative 92% overall satisfaction score. 6. 2025/26 Housing Investment Programme 6.1 External Investment Programme MP Group UK Limited were appointed in July 2022 to support the delivery of the external programme and are now entering the final year of their contract. Officers are currently working with procurement colleagues to consider the best method of procuring contractors for future programmes of work to ensure continuity of programme delivery and to take account of the scale of work which is planned for the coming years.
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The external investment programme will continue in 2025/26 with a target of 500 properties for improvements. Some of these improvements will be in the housing-led regeneration areas. The Housing Asset and Investment Team are responsible for the delivery of housing investment works across the entire housing estate including within the £100m ten-year housing-led regeneration and renewal programme. Within the eight regeneration areas across Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone, improvement works to council and owner occupier homes are in various stages of progress. Design works have been completed for the majority of projects and works have commenced in Auchentorlie and Seedhill areas. A more detailed report of progress will be included in the housing-led regeneration and renewal annual report due in August this year. A programme of window replacement to council housing will also commence in the regeneration areas during 2025/26. 6.2 Internal Investment Programme The internal investment programme will continue in 2025/26 with the following targets: Kitchen, bathroom and rewiring – 600 properties Heating Renewals – 750 properties Delivery of the internal housing investment programme will be a combination of in-house and contractor support, with Building Services delivering 720 boiler replacements and 360 kitchen installations annually. This work is due to commence in quarter 2 of 2025. Additional tenders are in preparation, one to appoint a contractor to deliver a further 3000 kitchens, bathroom, rewire installations and the other to deliver a further 3400 full heating installs and 1200 boiler installs by 2030. 6.3 Installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps Funding has been confirmed from Scotland's Heat Network Fund (SHNF) in April 2024 to support the removal of gas from the blocks at Gallowhill and Glencairn Court and replace this with a ground source heating system. This project will commence in 2025 and is expected to take 12 months to complete. It is anticipated that engagement with tenants in this block will commence in May 2025. 6.4 Multi-storey Retrofit Project Renfrewshire Council has fourteen high rise blocks. A review of the repairs/maintenance and improvements required at these blocks is currently underway.
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The asset management thematic group is established and is currently focussed on agreeing the specification of works required to these blocks both internally and externally. Elements to be considered for maintenance or replacement are windows, external cladding, roofing, electrical installations and fire compliance elements as well as communal area improvements. The approved HRA budget includes an allowance of £28.5m for investment in high rise properties and the thematic group will review the investment requirements for each of the blocks. Work is underway with procurement colleagues to seek to appoint an experienced contractor to progress works at these multi storey blocks during 2026. 7. Housing Asset Management Strategy 7.1 The Housing Asset Management Strategy is currently being reviewed and will be brought to a future meeting of this board in due course. 7.2 This will set out an effective strategy for managing housing assets, the strategy will ensure that decisions relating to management and investment in the housing stock are based on sound principles which take account of stock condition, sustainability and value for money. 7.3 The Housing Asset Management Strategy will have an associated action plan which will be monitored, and updates reported within future annual Housing and Asset Investment reports to Board. __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Costs are met from HRA capital budget. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – Our Renfrewshire is safe – ensuring tenants have a safe place to live. To manage risk to for staff, contractors or members of the public within council housing properties. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets – Ensuring assets are modernised and meet legislative and regulatory standards. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights.
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No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – None. 10. Risk - Risk is monitored at project and programme board level. 11. Privacy Impact – None. 12. COSLA Policy Position – None. 13. Climate Risk – None. 14. Children’s Rights – None. ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers None. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Karen Sillars, Housing Asset & Investment Manager Email: karen.sillars@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Housing Asset and Investment Programme : External & Internal Completions Gallery Sample 2025
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Before and after of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) and Solar PV -House Upgrade. Before Before After After
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Before and after of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) Solar PV and Chimney Removal –Block Upgrade. Before After Before After
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Before and after of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) and Chimney Render Block Upgrade. Finished example of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) Solar PV, and Chimney -Block Upgrade.Before After Before and after of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) Solar PV, and Chimney -Block Upgrade. Before After
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Before and after of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) Solar PV and Chimney Removal –Block Upgrade. Before After Before After
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Finished example of External Wall Insulation (Full envelope) Solar PV, Chimney Removal and Windows replaced –House Upgrade.
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Finished example of Internal Kitchen, Rewire and heating upgrades.