Council's low staffing level is a ‘critical’ risk

Low staffing levels at Dudley Council are causing delays and putting services at risk in vital areas like housing and environmental health.

The stark message was delivered in a report to councillors on the Housing and Assets Scrutiny Committee at a meeting on July 23.

The report highlighted problems in the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Team which ensures properties not owned by the authority meet legal standards.

The report says in the last 12 to 18 months a vacant senior post and reduced hours have resulted in extra pressures and reduced enforcement capacity.

The report said: “This reduction has placed additional strain on the team’s ability to meet demand, particularly in responding to complaints, undertaking housing condition inspections, processing HMO licence applications and investigating unlicensed properties.

“The current staffing level is considered insufficient to manage the increasing workload.

“Particular increased demand has arisen in high-risk cases such as severe disrepair, tenant harassment and illegal evictions.”

The report also says there is a rising number of complaints and service requests from private tenants relating to damp and mould, overcrowding, bad landlords and structural issues.

Dr David Pitches, Dudley head of public health, said: “This is referring to officers on the ground delivering services. They are highly-skilled professionals and recruitment and retention is always a challenge.

“There are some gaps in services resulting from staff vacancies, staff are working beyond the call of duty and should be applauded.”

Kathy Jones, Dudley group director of housing and assets, added: “The risks are very high on the corporate register, there are not enough people with the right qualifications to go around in the recruitment market.”

The corporate risk register is a document at the council which identifies areas where the authority’s ability to deliver services is at risk.

Ms Jones added: “We don’t have the resources to do anything other than our statutory duties relating to empty homes, ensuring they are safe and not accessible to the public.”

The report for the committee also revealed some services in environmental health are at the highest risk level due to ‘critical staffing levels’.