Agenda item

To receive a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing. Under the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) requires all registered providers to publish a policy setting out, how in consultation with their tenants, they will maintain and improve the neighbourhood’s associated with their homes. This has been developed following an in-depth review of the policy in consultation with tenants and partner organisations. 

The Group had before it a report * from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing. Under the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) required all registered providers to publish a policy setting out, how in consultation with their tenants, they would maintain and improve the neighbourhood’s associated with their homes. This has been developed following an in-depth review of the policy in consultation with tenants and partner organisations.

The contents of the report were outlined with the following being highlighted:

·       The requirements of the Regulator.

·       The 22 new Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM’s), TM10 and TM11 being particularly relevant to Neighbourhood Management.

·       Changes in the way the Government wanted some complaints recorded, for example, every day noise should not now be treated as Anti-Social Behaviour.

·       The policy now provided clearer definitions of accountability in areas such as safety checks, risk assessments, pest control etc.

·       Responsibilities in relation to seeking permissions for hanging structures and neighbourhood disputes, for example, had been tightened up.

Discussion took place regarding:

·       The challenges involved in seeking tenant involvement particularly when tenants were ‘happy’ and did not have comments to make.

·       A request that the tenant newsletter be circulated to the Policy Development Group Members.

·       The problems associated with the communal areas of some housing estates where the properties were built decades ago when design standards were different and would not be chosen today.

·       The time delay between an officer’s initial visit and an issue actually being resolved. It was acknowledged that teams were busy but the comments made would be fed back through operational leads.

·       The number of Neighbourhood officers employed by the Council were within industry standards, however, this was kept under constant review.

·       Neighbourhood teams worked in liaison with other services areas across the Council, such as Grounds Maintenance, as such, work needed to be co-ordinated.

·       The key was ‘communication’ keeping everybody informed at each stage.

·       Tenants needed to feel they were being listened to even if they received an acknowledgement but no immediate action.

·       The benefits that the Apprenticeship scheme could bring, however, engaging with tenants was a demanding frontline role requiring a certain amount of ‘resilience’.

·       The benefit of employing officers who have or continue to be Council tenants. The same was true of serving Councillors.

It was suggested that an explanatory paper be brought to the next meeting setting out how Neighbourhood Management worked in reality.  

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the updated Neighbourhood Management Policy and Equality Impact Assessment contained in Annexes A and B respectively be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr F Letch and seconded by Cllr S Robinson)

Reason for the decision

Under the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) required all registered providers to publish a policy setting out, how in consultation with their tenants, they would maintain and improve the neighbourhood’s associated with their homes.

Note: (i)   * Report previously circulated.

(ii)  Cllr A Glover declared a personal interest in that she was a Council tenant.