Issue - meetings

To adopt the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy 2025-2027 (report of the Director of Communities enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Communities which requested adoption of the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy 2025-2027 (Appendix B).

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing presented the report and explained that the strategy has been shaped through extensive tenant engagement. It began with a first round of consultation in August 2024, where tenants helped the Authority to build the initial recommendations. A second round followed in February 2025, which included an active roadshow across communities to gather even more feedback.

Officers were proud that this strategy reflected the voices of the Authority’s tenants, with over 600 tenants involved. It marked a significant step forward in ensuring tenants were not only heard but were actively shaping the services that mattered to them.

Consideration was given to the report and the following issues were raised:

·       Officer engagement with tenants in more rural areas that did not have their own community centres was highly commendable.

DECISION:

1)    That the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy be adopted; and

2)    That minor operational amendments to the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy be delegated to the Assistant Director – Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – The Council would be unable to evidence that it is meeting the outcomes of the Transparency, Influence and Accountability consumer standard and will not be able to provide a variety of mechanisms to capture and involve tenants voices and insight.  This was not the recommended option;

Reasons for decision:

·       Aa a responsible social landlord, the Council is require to have Tenant Engagement and Influence mechanisms in place to provide tenants with meaningful opportunities to get involved with and scrutinise the Housing Landlord Service.  This is not only essential for meeting legal obligations set out by the Regulator of Social Housing but also crucial for ensuring tenants receive services that suite their needs and aspirations).

To consider the draft Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy 2025-2027 (Appendix B) (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which asked members to consider the draft Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy 2025-2027.

The HRA Transformation Officer introduced the report, and the following main points were highlighted:

• The Policy Development Panel had considered the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy on 11 February 2025 and supported the recommendation to Cabinet for adoption;
• Following the initial presentation to the Policy Development Panel, the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy was circulated to residents for consultation;
• Key findings from the consultation were outlined at point 4 of the report, with further tenant feedback outlined at point 5;
• 130 feedback responses were received from residents which indicated requirements for improved accessibility, enhanced clarity, improved communication and for the availability of the document contents in alternative media;
• Revisions to the strategy were made based on tenant feedback, including the repositioning of the inclusivity statement to the first page of the strategy document; and
• The document presented to the committee at the current meeting included the revisions for consideration by the Panel prior to its onward journey to Cabinet.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members queried whether tenants would be encouraged to join the scrutiny groups and whether information relating to such matters would be given to tenants at the start of a tenancy.
  • The HRA Transformation Officer responded that:
    • A Tenant Forum was to be launched;
    • Details of how to participate in the forum were to be included within new tenant packs; and
    • Interest expressed from tenants would be followed up by the Tenant Engagement Lead with the opportunities available.

• Members requested that where changes were made to a document previously considered by the committee, that these be highlighted or colour-coded for ease of reference when being represented to the committee
  • The HRA Transformation Officer responded that the request was noted. In the current document, the summary of the changes made to the original document was included at Appendix A, from page 14. This detailed the first version of the strategy and the corresponding revised version where changes had been made.

• Members welcomed the access statement being relocated to the front page of Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy (Appendix B) and suggested that this approach be taken on all council documents. 

• Members queried how the location for the scrutiny groups were decided and whether there any stipulations were in place regarding the composition of group members across the district.
  • The HRA Transformation Officer responded that the Tenant Forum would help to determine the location, frequency, Terms of Reference and development of the scrutiny groups. Tenants would be consulted on participation training needs which could range from shadowing opportunities to formal training.

• Members queried how officers planned to engage residents in areas of the district where community centres did not exist.
  • The HRA Transformation Officer responded that Independent Living Officers would engage with tenants in sheltered accommodation. In addition, Housing Officers were to undertake ‘summer walkabouts’ to engage directly with tenants  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

To consider the draft Tenant and Influence Engagement Strategy 2025-2027 (Appendix A) (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which outlined the draft Tenant and Influence Engagement Strategy 2025-2027.

The Housing Transformation Officer (HRA) provided a presentation covering the key points of the strategy.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members thanked the team for their work and were pleased with the number of responses to the consultation.
  • The Housing Transformation Officer (HRA) commented that it was the highest response that the company running the consultation (TPAS) had ever had from a Council and they had written a blog about it.

• Members queried why the tenant engagement session (Meet the Managers) was being held in Sutton Bridge
  • The Housing Transformation Officer (HRA) responded that Sutton Bridge was recognised as an area that needed to be focussed on as part of the Equality Impact Assessment for the service.
  • The sessions would be rolled out to other areas of the district in the future.

• Members wished to see a review of the performance of the policy twelve months after Cabinet approval.

AGREED:

1. That the Panel recommends the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy to Cabinet for adoption.

2. That the Panel supports the recommendation to Cabinet to delegate minor operational amendments to the Assistant Director – Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

3.    That a progress update of the Tenant Engagement and Influence Strategy 2025-2027 be presented to the Policy Development Panel one year from adoption at Cabinet.