Issue - items at meetings - Innovation Group on Resident Involvement

Report of the Strategic Director, Place

36.1 The Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director, Place which provided the final report for the Innovation Group.

36.2    Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.6 and asked how many staff there would be. Officers confirmed there would be 9 staff.

36.3    Councillor Mears asked why the true cost of Area Panels was not known. Officers said it would be necessary to look at attendance for both panel members and staff. The cost of staff was inbuilt, but if looking at cost would need to apportion the amount of time spent. Other costs such as hire of the venue, paper, printing, taxis, childcare for tenants and the cost of other council employees such as Cityclean who might attend a meeting would need to be considered.

36.4    Councillor Farrow was pleased to note how dedicated the officers were in looking after tenants, and asked that when arranging training sessions that some be held out of work hours to enable as many people to attend as possible.

36.5    Mr Kent asked if it were possible to have a breakdown of money spent such as taxis together with a sample cost of having officers attend etc. The Chair agreed.

36.6    Mr Crowhurst questioned the use of ‘neighbourhoods’. Officers advised that neighbourhood was used to include a whole area rather than just one tower block or development. Mr Crowhurst asked if tenants would be able to vote on the Action Plan as he felt there were some points his Area Panel would agree to and some they wouldn’t. Officers advised that agreement to the Action Plan was sought at this meeting.

36.7    Ms Paynter was concerned that Area Panels had not voted on the Plan, and suggested that an Extraordinary meeting of the Area Panels be held.

36.8    Councillor Robins said that the last time the HMCSC considered the report, it had been discussed line by line and so had been fully reviewed, and recommended that the report now be endorsed.

36.9    Councillor Mears asked what would happen if Area Panels did not like the Action Plan. Officers said the issue could be looked at. Councillor Mears asked when tenants would have any involvement with the Action Plan. Officers advised that the proposed Action Plan had already been discussed with tenant reps and with Area Panels.

36.10  Mr Worsfold suggested that the word ‘proposed’ be removed from the Action Plan, and officers be allowed to implement the proposals now.

36.11  Mr Crowhurst said the matter had been considered by Area Panels, but they had not seen the report and Action Plan which was before the HMCSC today.

36.12  Ms Paynter said she had concerns over the word ‘endorse’ and that if the HMCSC endorsed the Action Plan, tenants would think that all tenant reps agreed with it.

36.13  Councillor Farrow said he wanted tenants to be able to represent themselves, and although there had been different views on the matter it was important that the matter move forward. If anyone didn’t agree with it they should put forward alternative suggestions.

36.14  Councillor Mears said that she couldn’t endorse the report unless it was seen by Area Panels.

36.15  Mr Murtagh said that the Area Panels had seen the document, and the only changes made had been those suggested by councillors. Mr Crowhurst said that the Area Panels had discussed the issues, but they had not seen the final Action Plan. Officers said that Area Panels had seen the document before it was considered at the HMCSC meeting in September 2012 and their thoughts had been incorporated. Officers reminded everyone that staff had worked with residents, different tenant groups, City Assembly etc and the matter had been fully consulted on and people’s view taken into account. Ms Paynter said that Area Panels should see the report.

36.16  Councillor Robins said the Action Plan had been fully discussed and it was time to move the matter on. Ms King agreed.

36.17 Councillor Farrow noted the comments made and proposed that as a way of moving the matter on, the following recommendation be considered:

(i)         That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee endorse the final report of the Innovation Group.

(ii)        That the suggested action plan for broadening the reach and outcomes of resident involvement be passed to Area Panels for consideration.

The proposal was seconded by the Chair. All councillors agreed.

36.18  An indicative vote was taken from the tenant reps, and they agreed with both recommendations.

36.19 RESOLVED:

(i)           That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee endorse the final report of the Innovation Group.

(ii)           That the suggested action plan for broadening the reach and outcomes of resident involvement be passed to Area Panels for consideration.