Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a report of the Challenge for Change Tenant Scrutiny Group on its Community Engagement Project which investigated how people got involved as volunteers with the Council Housing Service, looked at who got involved and considered whether there were any barriers or obstacles that prevented different groups of people from getting involved.  The Committee was also provided with a document setting out the outcomes and recommendations from the Project. 

6.2

The report was supported by a presentation given by Tony Merrygold, who was one of the four main scrutinisers.  Also in attendance for this item were Linda Moxon, Ian Alexander, Michelle Cook, Max Richardson, Tony Watson, who were all involved in the Project, and Gary Westwood, Planning and Performance (Housing).

6.3

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                It was hoped that the Housing+ model would help with community engagement, particularly in areas where there was no Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TARA).

·                Courses were available through the TARAs to support and develop people in getting involved in community engagement. 

·                Young people appeared to be less inclined to get involved than the older generation and it was fair to say that a small group of individuals attended about 90% of meetings.  There was a need for increased use of social media, but it should be noted that younger people were more likely to be working and/or have childcare issues.

·                The appendices to the report had not been included in the circulated papers as these just included the supporting statistics.

·                Catherine Hill, Assistant Manager, Council Housing Service, had been interviewed as part of the Project, as she had responsibility for community engagement.

·                The links with Housing Associations provided an important means of sharing best practice.

·                It was accepted that the Recognition Policy raised contentious issues.

6.4

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks the Challenge for Change Tenant Scrutiny Group and Gary Westwood for the report and their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the report and responses to questions; and

(c)        requests that:-

(i)        the full report, including appendices, be circulated to all Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations; and

(ii)      a further report, focusing on progress made in relation to the twelve issues identified in the report, be presented to the Committee in six months’ time, with the appropriate officers and tenants’ representatives being invited to attend the meeting.