Agenda item

8.1

The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report which stated that the current Housing and Neighbourhoods Engagement Strategy was launched in 2021 and was written in close consultation with tenants and leaseholders, and a commitment was made to review it after 3 years. It was explained that the review had happened, again in consultation with tenants and leaseholders, and the Strategy had been updated based on their feedback. The Action Plan which underpins the Strategy and describes the intention of how implement it was also updated as part of the review. Since the introduction of the new Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, the importance of listening to, and acting on, tenant views has become ever more important. It was explained that the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Strategy would help meet those new regulatory requirements.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the outcomes of the consultation undertaken as part of the Engagement Strategy Review, as described in this report.

2.     Approves a) the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, and b) the updated Engagement Strategy Action Plan.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Adopting the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy will enable the Council to further improve how it engages with its tenants and leaseholders.

8.3.2

It will also support the Council in meeting the requirements of the new social housing regulatory framework.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The alternative to updating the strategy as proposed in this paper would be to continue with the current Engagement Strategy that has been in place since 2020. However, this would be contrary to our commitment to reviewing and updating the Strategy after 3 years.

8.1

The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report which stated that the current Housing and Neighbourhoods Engagement Strategy was launched in 2021 and was written in close consultation with tenants and leaseholders, and a commitment was made to review it after 3 years. It was explained that the review had happened, again in consultation with tenants and leaseholders, and the Strategy had been updated based on their feedback. The Action Plan which underpins the Strategy and describes the intention of how implement it was also updated as part of the review. Since the introduction of the new Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, the importance of listening to, and acting on, tenant views has become ever more important. It was explained that the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Strategy would help meet those new regulatory requirements.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the outcomes of the consultation undertaken as part of the Engagement Strategy Review, as described in this report.

2.     Approves a) the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, and b) the updated Engagement Strategy Action Plan.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Adopting the updated Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy will enable the Council to further improve how it engages with its tenants and leaseholders.

8.3.2

It will also support the Council in meeting the requirements of the new social housing regulatory framework.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The alternative to updating the strategy as proposed in this paper would be to continue with the current Engagement Strategy that has been in place since 2020. However, this would be contrary to our commitment to reviewing and updating the Strategy after 3 years.