Issue - meetings

To update members on the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Housing Consumer Standard and seek endorsement for the Charter for Tenants and the housing service’s communication strategy.

Members were provided with service updates in relation to the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Housing Consumer Standard, as required by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

Members welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work on tenant engagement.

In response to a question around member involvement in the Tenant Involvement and Scrutiny panel, officers confirmed that the panel had made the decision to continue without member involvement initially which would be reviewed in future, however the panel would produce an annual report to members.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                        RESOLVED -

(i)            The work underway to meet the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Consumer Standard be noted;

(ii)          The Charter for Tenants be endorsed;

(iii)         The Housing Service Communication Strategy be endorsed.

To provide members with service updates in relation to requirements of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, present the Charter for Tenants and the Housing service’s communication strategy.

The Scrutiny Commission was provided with updates in relation to the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Housing Customer Standard, as required by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. During the discussion, members praised the council’s positive position nationally with regard to housing and the variety of channels available for tenants to contact the council.

In response to a question from a member about encouraging tenants to get involved, for example in tenants’ associations, it was explained that this had been particularly difficult over recent years but a lot of work was being undertaken to engage and empower tenants, including engaging with groups already in existence in some communities.

It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The ongoing work to meet the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Consumer Standard be noted;

(ii)          The Charter for Tenants be endorsed;

(iii)         The Housing Service Communication Strategy be endorsed.