Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services and a recommendation from the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group, the PDG had recommended that the revised policy be approved.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services and a recommendation from the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group, the PDG had recommended that the revised policy be adopted.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that he acknowledged that not all of our tenants would want to get involved.  All tenants were consulted on their views in relation to tenant involvement.  The results demonstrated a high level of apathy.  Over 3000 households were sent a questionnaire survey but only 122 responses were received either by post or online.  29 tenants were invited to attend a focus group to give us their views, but, unfortunately, this was not very well attended, with only 3 attending.

Consideration was given to the lack of involvement by tenants and that this was seen in a positive light in that tenants were happy with the support they were receiving.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Chairman)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Housing Services Manager. The existing tenant involvement policy was approved in January 2012 and is now due for review. (This item was deferred from the March 2015 meeting).

The Group had before it a report * from the Housing Services Manager regarding the need to review the existing Tenant Involvement Policy. It was explained that tenant involvement was a regulatory requirement. Tenants were actively encouraged to be involved in improving the service. They were at the heart of everything the Housing Service did, however, the biggest problem was apathy amongst the tenant population; often this reflected the fact that people were generally happy with the service. A survey had been conducted in the previous year which had produced a low response. Most tenants wanted to communicate electronically and there was now a very active Facebook page with daily debate.

It was further explained that the Council used a menu of involvement techniques including the ability to get involved in scrutiny activity, editing, a regular newsletter and becoming an estate representative. The Council would also cover the cost of sending some tenants on training courses and for printing expenses and travel costs.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the revised Tenant Involvement policy be adopted.

(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr R J Dolley)

Note: * report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.