Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved the Council Housing Service Plan for 2026/2027, a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing homes and services for tenants. The plan builds on the service's high C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, signifying that the service meets all consumer standards and demonstrates a commitment to involving residents and improving housing services. This grading was awarded in July 2025.
The plan focuses on key areas including tenant involvement, safety and quality, tenancy standards, neighbourhood improvements, and capacity building. Tenant feedback, particularly from the Enfield 500 scrutiny group, highlighted communication as a crucial area for development. The Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2025/26 showed an overall satisfaction rate of 60%, with communication remaining a key focus for further development. The new plan aims to improve communication and involvement with tenants through specific actions such as developing a comprehensive communications strategy to enhance the relationship with tenants and ensure feedback mechanisms are inclusive of diverse communities. Residents will also see performance data embedded and scrutinised by tenants and the Enfield 500 group.
Key actions for 2026/27 include the development of a Vulnerability and Diversity Strategy, with oversight from the Cabinet Member, Scrutiny Committee, and the Enfield 500 group, targeting completion by Q1. This strategy aims to ensure the service responds to the diverse needs of the resident base.
The plan emphasizes the delivery of the 26-29 asset management strategy, with a focus on ensuring all properties are safe, well-maintained, and free from hazards. An updated Asset Management Strategy was completed in September 2025. The Council aims to achieve 100% of the housing stock surveyed within the last five years, subject to access. Further improvements to the Asset Management IT System (APEX) are set for 2026-27 to log compliance, damp, and mould information. The use of data and technology will be central to managing building safety and compliance, alongside targeted investment in housing stock.
Fair allocation of homes, annual tenancy audits, and policy reviews are central to the Tenancy Standard. The Neighbourhood and Community section outlines plans for cleaner, safer, and more inclusive estates, with improved partnerships and investment in communal spaces. Estate improvements have seen a 65% satisfaction rate, increasing over the past four years. Specific improvements include the Jeremys Green bin upgrade in October 2025, the installation of new play equipment at St Marys Road, and a pilot security gate at Osward Place in December 2025. The plan includes a key action to 'Modernise and improve communal areas creating safer, greener, and cleaner estates which support community cohesion, environmental goals, and local pride.'
Capacity and Enabling focuses on optimizing digital systems like CivicaCX and AI applications to improve efficiency. The advancement of AI usage across the service is expected to support rent and repairs findings, learn from historical data, and introduce a damp & mould module, leading to improved accuracy and targeted solutions for tenants. Workforce development and professionalization are also priorities, with a comprehensive program of training modules for core areas. This includes new mandatory training for staff in key safety areas such as Asbestos awareness, and support for colleagues pursuing Build Safety qualifications. The plan emphasizes ensuring the competency (skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours) of all officers involved in critical building safety-related service delivery.
Overall, the Council Housing Service Plan 2026/2027 aims to deliver improved outcomes for tenants and leaseholders, contributing to the Council's priorities for strong, healthy, and safe communities, and more and better homes. The full plan can be reviewed in the Council Housing Service Plan 202627.pdf.
