Issue - items at meetings - Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy

RESOLVED: That the Housing Committee notes and approves:

2.1      The delivery of more ‘pro-active’ styles of engagement with tenants and leaseholders to consult and engage with a wider and more diverse group of residents.

2.2      The proposed changes to the current engagement’s structures for tenants and leaseholders as set out in Appendix One.

2.3      The maximisation of Estate Development Budget by agreeing a change of scope to include tenant and leaseholder led community projects as well as physical items and works. This will sit alongside the funds from the environmental improvements budget to give tenants a greater say over funding.

2.4      To develop a policy for extending participatory budgeting, co-designed with tenants and leaseholders for approval by Housing Committee Winter 2021.

2.5      The development of a co-produced Implementation Plan to support the delivery of the Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy.

145.1  The Head of Communities & Equality and the Community Engagement Manager introduced the report.

145.2  Councillor Appich was informed that the council were working with 29 out of the 38 tenant, residents and neighbourhood groups, as some groups were active than others. It was also noted that no resident officers were working during the lockdown.

145.3  Councillor Mears noted a previous report had covered the same ground in 2012. The councillor looked forward to seeing how tenants will benefit and engage with the strategy.

145.4  Councillor Atkinson considered that the Neighbourhood Action Plans were not always the best way forward, and residents were often confused by different funding from Estate Development Budget (EDB) and Environmental Improvement Budget (EIB). The councillor noted that resident groups often need advice on a wide variety of issues and that there was a backlog of repairs due to the recent lockdown. The councillor was informed that the neighbourhood officers are attending housing area panels and they were working closely with groups through the engagement team. Issues arising can be referred to the officers.

145.5  Councillor Williams noted that a walk around with officers was of benefit for the councillors and the residents and would welcome the development of this practice. The councillor considered the Estates Development Budget could be simplified for tenants to understand.

145.6  Councillor Gibson was informed that the associations focusing on wider issues were more active at the moment. It was noted that there was a need to address resident needs and for more engagement to understand issues and help more. Progress will be monitored.

145.7  Councillor Fowler considered it was important for councillors to go on ward rounds with officers. The councillor was informed that the area panels have been meeting and have not changed, however the service area groups have altered by adding more people.

145.8  The Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities Relevant informed the committee that the strategy was a platform to work from and improve. It was also noted that walk abouts were a very positive step and there were all sorts of ways to engage not just through area panels.

145.9 The chair put the recommendations to the vote, and they were agreed by 8 votes with 2 abstentions.

145.10         

RESOLVED: That the Housing Committee notes and approves:

2.1      The delivery of more ‘pro-active’ styles of engagement with tenants and leaseholders to consult and engage with a wider and more diverse group of residents.

2.2      The proposed changes to the current engagement’s structures for tenants and leaseholders as set out in Appendix One.

2.3      The maximisation of Estate Development Budget by agreeing a change of scope to include tenant and leaseholder led community projects as well as physical items and works. This will sit alongside the funds from the environmental improvements budget to give tenants a greater say over funding.

2.4      To develop a policy for extending participatory budgeting, co-designed with tenants and leaseholders for approval by Housing Committee Winter 2021.

2.5      The development of a co-produced Implementation Plan to support the delivery of the Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy.