Agenda item

That the revised tenant involvement strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

Decision

That the revised tenant involvement strategy as set out in the report and Appendix1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

Reason for Decision

The purpose of this report is to provide the Cabinet with an overview of the new tenant involvement strategy for 2016 – 2020. This includes a new structure for delivering tenant involvement. 

Financial

There are no additional financial implications. The ‘Get Involved’ strategy will be delivered using the Policy and Participation team budget.

All involvement activities delivered will be assessed to ensure they are for the benefit of our tenants and leaseholder population and those accessing the housing service where appropriate.

Value for Money

It is important that we deliver value for money for our tenants. Robust tenant involvement that uses an outcome focused approach to engagement and scrutiny means we can capture where improvements have been made as a result of tenant involvement and any associated costs or savings.  Shaping our annual service plans using our tenants’ priorities helps us to allocate our resources and deliver what is important within the resources that are available.  We will work with our tenants to identify more efficient ways of working, such as moving to digital channels enabling us to maximise the resources available.  Sharing resources and skills with partner organisations and exploring opportunities for additional funding will also help us to deliver more for less.

Risk Implications

Failure to engage with tenants effectively can risk a breakdown in relationship between the council and tenant population.

The housing operational risk register is presented to the Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on a quarterly basis.

Community Impact Assessment

Community Impact Assessment carried out – see appendix 2

Health & Safety Implications

None

Corporate Objectives

Quality tenant involvement contributes to all of the council’s corporate objectives (see appendix 1 - ‘Get involved’ vision).

·         A clean, safe and enjoyable environment

·         Building strong and vibrant communities

·         Ensuring economic growth and prosperity

·         Providing good quality affordable homes, in particular for those most in need

·         Delivering an efficient and modern council

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

No comments to add to the report

S.151 Officer

There are no direct additional costs associated with this decision. The existing budget for the Policy and Participation team covers the costs of this exercise.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths explained that the tenants and leaseholders and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee have all been involved in creating the new strategy and work was continuing.

E-R Maxwell reported that the strategy went to OSC in July and their recommendations were being worked on. Currently 17 applications had been received for the new Tenant & Leaseholder Committee, which would include tenants, leaseholders, independent members and a non-executive councillor.

In addition there had been great interest from the community, 130 people have already signed up to be involved in the focus groups, a Twitter account has been launched to engage with the tenants. Overall she summarised that the strategy had been very well received.

Councillor Marshall asked if the suggested composition for the committee had been accepted by the Portfolio Holder.

Councillor Griffiths confirmed the suggestion had been accepted however it would result in a Portfolio Holder Decision.

Councillor Marshall was disappointed that there was no reference to the composition included the strategy. She suggested that the strategy should also note that the relevant Portfolio Holder and OSC Chairman have the right to attend the Tenant & Leaseholder committee meetings, with no voting rights.

Councillor Griffiths agreed it was important to have a non-executive member on the committee. She confirmed that the relevant Portfolio Holder and OSC Chairman would have the right to attend the Tenant & Leaseholder committee meetings.

E Brooks added that once the strategy is approved then the terms of reference would follow. The composition would need to be approved by the Portfolio Holder.

Councillor Williams was content that the figures for the composition were not set in stone at this stage as he wouldn’t want the process to be held up.

E Brooks added that they needed to get the right people at this stage rather than just filling the seats.

E-R Maxwell felt that the volunteers already seen were passionate and grateful for the opportunity to have their say with tangible outcomes.

Councillor Sutton asked what skills the independent people would need to have.

E-R Maxwell said they looked at how people would approach making an objective decision; they would need to draw on their professional skills and perhaps previous knowledge/experience of housing issues.

Voting

None.