Welsh council boss says public have ‘unrealistic expectations’ of housing and GPs

Simon Rose said the public had ‘unrealistic expectations’ of support and services available from local authorities

A senior Welsh council official has suggested that members of the public can have unrealistic expectations about the support and services local authorities are able to provide. Simon Rose, the housing and prevention manager at Torfaen Borough Council, used demands for social housing and the expectation of immediate GP appointments as examples of what he deemed unreasonable assumptions.

The council official was speaking to councillors about an early intervention and prevention strategy the authority has implemented to help manage demand, ease pressure on frontline services and improve signposting to support.

Mr Rose explained that as part of this initiative, the council – which doesn’t directly provide housing but has a statutory obligation to help those presenting as homeless – is visiting schools in an attempt to manage future demand for social housing. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter.

Social housing is delivered through housing associations in Torfaen and throughout much of Gwent.

He said: “We are engaging with young people in education and very much trying to get into the mindset of young people having their own home is not easy, having a parental home with mum and dad and leaving is not easy.”

The council official said efforts are required around “what people can expect and what can they do for themselves.”

He explained the assumption that properties are readily available doesn’t reflect reality: “There is an expectation accommodation is available and there is a plethora of it across the borough, that’s simply not the case.

“Land is scare and affordable housing is limited.”

Mr Rose addressed the council’s adults and community scrutiny committee. He said: “In health we all expect to see a GP when we want to see one on the day, do we? Probably not. All of us probably understand that better than people in the community.

“I’ve sat in many doctor’s waiting rooms and seen examples of that. We’ve got to get better as public bodies to help people’s expectations and they need to be managed in a different way.”

The authority launched its Early Intervention and Prevention model in June 2025. The programme is designed to connect people with support from voluntary organisations and external services alongside the council’s own services.

It accepts referrals from the NHS, other local authority departments and schools, while the council’s customer services team can also direct individuals towards it.