Agenda item

This report provides Cabinet with a final draft of the i4B Holdings Ltd (i4B) 2026-27 Business Plan and revised Service Level Agreement with the Council.

Cabinet is asked to approve the Business Plan and Service Level Agreement on behalf of the Council as Shareholder of i4B Holdings.

Cabinet noted the introductory comments made by Andrew Hudson (as Chair of the i4B and First Wave Housing (FWH) Ltd Boards) in presenting the i4B and FWH Business Plans and strategic priorities for both companies.

In focussing on key areas of activity moving forward he highlighted the work being undertaken to improve operational performance in relation to voids and rent collection as well as to monitor and improve results relating to tenant satisfaction alongside work to address concerns around the tenant experience in some areas linked to issues such as anti-social behaviour.

In terms of strategic priorities, he advised members on the more streamlined approach being adopted in relation to the focus on key objectives relating to Tenant Satisfaction and operational performance in relation to voids and rent collection alongside work in seeking to maximise the Boards contribution to the Council’s wider priorities, with a specific focus in supporting the work being undertaken to tackle the demand for housing.  This included work being undertaken to identify workstreams over the coming year aiming to increase level of stock involving a wider range of options such as utilisation of commercial property (supported through grant provision available to Register Providers) alongside support for the delivery of Supported Exempt Accommodation through FWH Ltd.

In recognising the challenges outlined alongside current performance and welcoming the approach adopted in relation to the strategic priorities identified by i4B, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the 2026-27 i4B Holdings Ltd Business Plan and financial model as Shareholder of the Company.

(2)    To approve the 2026-27 Service Level Agreement between i4B Holdings Ltd and the Council.

(3)    To delegate authority for the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to approve the terms for the enforcement of key performance indicators in relevant SLAs to allow the i4B Board to implement.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 16 March 2026