Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Health providing some context around a proposal to recruit 3 tenants of Mid Devon Housing (MDH) to the Homes Policy Development Group.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing and Health providing some context around a proposal to recruit three suitable independent tenant members to the PDG. The purpose was to enable a more formalised mechanism for an established tenant voice and greater tenant scrutiny during the development of MDH polices and the consideration of housing service performance given the inherent impact matters have on the Council’s residents.

The relevant details regarding the proposal were discussed and consideration was given to:

·       The views of the local housing officers needed to be factored into part of the procedure for selecting prospective candidates.

·       Whether the needs of tenants in towns and rural areas were the same or different?

·       MDH needed a much stronger tenant ‘voice’ going forwards. It was important to reflect the independent views of tenants on policy matters.

·       The aim was to have representative voices from the tenant community that were reflective of all ages, genders, backgrounds and family connections. It would also be important for representatives to have an ability to see issues from all angles not just their own.

·       It was recognised that appointments may be difficult to manage and that it may take some time to get the right balance.

·       Housing officers would be managing the appointments.

·       Representatives would need to be adults who had signed a Tenancy Agreement with MDH, however, it was hoped that they would be able to bring the views and concerns of their wider families, including the younger generation.

·       The Chair hoped that it might be possible to consider Care Leavers as potential candidates for the Co-Opted member role going forwards.

RECOMMENDED to Full Council that:

a)    The appointment of three Co-Opted Tenant Members to sit on the Homes Policy Development Group until April 2027 be approved;

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing and Health in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing Assets and Property for the appointment of each Co-Opted Tenant Member.

c)     Delegated authority be given to the Director of Legal, People & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make the necessary amendments to the constitution, including the amendment to the scheme of Members Allowances to include a special responsibility allowance for this position(s).

(Proposed by the Chair)

Reason for the decision

As set out in the report.

Note: * Report previously circulated.