Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to introduce a new Resident Engagement Strategy 2024-2027.

The Cabinet was presented with a report including a pre-consultation draft Resident Engagement Strategy along with the supporting Resident Engagement Framework and Scrutiny Implementation Plan.   It was noted that the Strategy and supporting documents had been developed to ensure that the Council could meet the duties placed upon it by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), to deliver effective engagement and be able to demonstrate that residents had a range of meaningful opportunities to scrutinise, influence and shape the services that they received.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing thanked the previous Portfolio Holder for Housing for her work in progressing this matter.

Officers agreed to follow up the suggestion of an additional KPI focussing on Member Engagement with discussions with the relevant Portfolio Holders. 

It was RESOLVED:

1             That it be noted that the duty placed on the Council to provide a broad range of resident engagement and influencing opportunities that ‘give genuine consideration of tenants’ views and providing equitable opportunity to be involved in influencing and scrutinising strategies, policies and services and to foster a strong organisational culture of fairness, courtesy and respect where tenants are listened to and that they trust their landlord.

2             That the previous resident engagement delivered through the Council’s Co-operative Neighbourhood Model be acknowledged.

3             That the draft Resident Engagement Strategy 2024-2027, as seen at Appendix A be approved and adopted.

4             That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (RP) after consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve the Resident Framework of Engagement and the Scrutiny Implementation Plan after further consultation with residents. 

The Cabinet was presented with a report including a pre-consultation draft Resident Engagement Strategy along with the supporting Resident Engagement Framework and Scrutiny Implementation Plan.   It was noted that the Strategy and supporting documents had been developed to ensure that the Council could meet the duties placed upon it by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), to deliver effective engagement and be able to demonstrate that residents had a range of meaningful opportunities to scrutinise, influence and shape the services that they received.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that given the new regulatory requirements, the Strategy proposed that the Council committed greater focus and resources to evolve and strengthen specific engagement with social housing residents and leaseholders to ensure their influence was demonstrated and measured, whilst working in synergy within the Co-operative Neighbourhood model to bring communities and neighbourhoods together.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing also thanked the previous Portfolio Holder for Housing for her work in progressing this matter.

Officers agreed to follow up the suggestion of an additional KPI focussing on Member Engagement with discussions with the relevant Portfolio Holders. 

It was RESOLVED:

1             That it be noted that the duty placed on the Council to provide a broad range of resident engagement and influencing opportunities that ‘give genuine consideration of tenants’ views and providing equitable opportunity to be involved in influencing and scrutinising strategies, policies and services and to foster a strong organisational culture of fairness, courtesy and respect where tenants are listened to and that they trust their landlord.

2             That the previous resident engagement delivered through the Council’s Co-operative Neighbourhood Model be acknowledged.

3             That the draft Resident Engagement Strategy 2024-2027, as seen at Appendix A be approved and adopted.

4             That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (RP) after consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve the Resident Framework of Engagement and the Scrutiny Implementation Plan after further consultation with residents. 

Reason for Decision: As contained in the report.

Other Options considered:As contained in the report.