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Performance of the WHQS Capital Programme Report

Published: 05/03/2021

A report on the Councils Welsh Housing Quality Standard will be submitted to the Council's Community Housing and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The committee will be asked to support the Capital Investment Programme in its final year of major investment, when it meets on Wednesday 10 March.

The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) is a national standard for public sector homes in Wales, as set out by the Welsh Government, to ensure that all tenants in Wales live in good quality homes which meet the requirements of each household. 

The programme was due to end by December 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Welsh Government extended the deadline to December 2021. This extension is to be reviewed again based on the impacts of ongoing COVID-19 situation.

To date, from our 7,300 Housing Stock, we are currently reporting:

• WHQS Compliant Kitchens: 100%

• WHQS Compliant Bathrooms: 100%

• WHQS Compliant Roofing & Associated Components: 87%

• WHQS Compliant Windows / Doors: 92%

• WHQS Customer Satisfaction Average: 96%

The report will also set out the Councils journey in delivering this extensive programme of refurbishment over the life of the WHQS, which has not only delivered home improvements but through the contractors created employment opportunities within local communities and provided training and employment for 57 apprentices 

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dave Hughes, said:

“All kitchens and bathrooms have now been completed – except for the “acceptable fails”.  These are either tenant refusals or no access which, according to Welsh Government, are classed as compliant in terms of achieving WHQS.  These properties will be addressed in the future.

“During the work we have ensured that measures are in place so that our tenants, officers and contractors are safe.  Welsh Government has indicated that they are reassured with the plans we currently have in place and the works we are currently delivering.”