Issue - items at meetings - Update on annual report to council tenants and leaseholders 2011 and plan for resident involvement in the annual report for 2012

Report of Strategic Director Place (copy attached).

80.1    The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Place which updated members on progress in implementing the improvement plans set out in the annual report to all council tenants and leaseholders for the year ended 31 March 2011. It reported the proposed revised requirements for registered providers of social housing to produce an annual report to their tenants set out in the Tenant Services Authority’s consultation on a revised regulatory framework for social housing in England from April 2012.  The report also proposed an outline plan and timetable for involving residents in producing and scrutinising the council’s annual report to tenants and leaseholders in the year ending 31 March 2012.   

80.2    The Housing Stock Review Manager reported that Appendix 1 to the report highlighted some examples of how the Council was meeting the commitments which it had made in the annual report and the progress already made.

82.3    The Housing Stock Review Manager reported that it was proposed to seek the views of the Tenant Editorial Board of Homing In on the 2012 Annual Report.  Residents would be asked to contribute quotes and pictures for inclusion in the report which would be published in September.   Next year’s Annual Report would be discussed by the City Assembly. 

82.4    Councillor Randall considered the Annual Report to be exceptionally good.  There had been better feedback than ever at this year’s City Assembly. Meanwhile, it was proposed to continue with the Tenants’ Scrutiny Panel.    Councillor Randall suggested that there should be a training session for tenants to help them write contributions for the Annual Report. 

82.5    Ted Harman and Barry Kent mentioned that they were dyslexic and would find the training helpful.  

82.6    Tom Whiting stressed the need to contact people at the grass routes.  He thought that surveys and questionnaires were often not helpful or representative and asked “loaded” questions.  Meanwhile mystery shopping always seemed to have good results.

82.7    John Melson drew attention to the small numbers of tenants involved in the tenant’s movement.  He was concerned that an editorial board was being consulted and felt more should be done to achieve better representation.  

82.8    RESOLVED - (1)      That the progress in implementing improvement plans included in the annual report to council tenants and leaseholders for the year ending 31 March 2010 highlighted in Appendix 1 to this report be noted.

(2)       That the proposed reduced regulatory requirements for producing annual reports to tenants with effect from April 2012, be noted.

(3)       That the proposed plan and timetable set out in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.7 of the report for involving residents in producing the annual report to tenants and leaseholders for the year ending 31 March 2012, be noted.