BASILDON Council’s Cabinet has approved a major transformation of its housing repairs and maintenance service, setting out a clear plan to improve quality, accountability, and resident involvement.
At its meeting on 25 March 2026, Cabinet agreed to move forward with plans to establish a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) as the preferred future model for delivering housing repairs and maintenance from 1 July 2027. The new company will be co-created with residents and designed to deliver a modern, tenant-focused service.
The decision reflects the council’s commitment to fundamentally improve services for tenants, following long-standing concerns about performance. Central to the new approach is a hybrid delivery model that will bring together in-house operatives and local tradespeople, ensuring services are both responsive and rooted in the local community.
Cabinet recognised the strong feedback from residents calling for greater involvement in shaping services. The LATCo model will embed tenant voice at its core, with residents playing a key role in co-designing how services are delivered.
To ensure continuity, Cabinet approved a structured 12-month transition from the current contract with Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS), running from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. During this period, existing services, including core repairs, minor voids, and compliance will continue uninterrupted while the new company is established.
This phased approach will enable the council to safely and effectively develop the LATCo, including governance, financial planning, workforce arrangements, and operational systems, while maintaining reliable services for tenants.
Cabinet also approved a series of immediate improvements to enhance service quality during the transition period, including:
- The introduction of a strengthened contract management function to improve oversight and performance
- The creation of a dedicated Resident Liaison service to respond quickly to tenant concerns
- Increased internal surveying capacity to address outstanding repairs and reduce delays
- Continued engagement with residents, including further proposals to embed a formal “resident voice” in future oversight arrangements
Cllr Adele Brown, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Housing and Infrastructure, said:
“There’s no point dressing it up – housing repairs in Basildon haven’t been good enough for too long. Residents have told us, time and again, that things need to improve, and today we’ve taken a decisive step to make that happen.
“We are ending the old model and building something better: a council-owned housing company that brings control back where it belongs and puts residents at the heart of everything we do.
“This is about delivering a service that is quicker, better, and built around the people who rely on it. It means stronger oversight, higher standards, and making sure every repair is done properly the first time.
“Just as importantly, this will be a service shaped with tenants, not done to them. Residents will have a real voice in designing how it works, because the people who use the service should help create it.
“We’re also backing our local economy, working with Basildon tradespeople to deliver high-quality work in our communities.
“This is a significant change, but it’s the right one. We are committed to getting this right and restoring confidence in the service our residents deserve.”
Work will now begin on establishing the LATCo and delivering the approved transition programme. Further updates, including details of resident engagement opportunities, will be shared in the coming months.
