Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services, Councillor Flo Clucas

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Tenant Voice Plan is adopted.       

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services said the council aims to put tenants and leaseholders at the very heart of all it does, which has not always been the case in the past.  Their voice is pertinent to what we do, and inviting them to speak out gives the council the opportunity to act on their behalf, help wherever possible, and explain the reasons why in some cases it cannot. She recommended the report to Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, Parks, Gardens and Green Open Space welcomed the excellent report, and asked what is being done to encourage tenants to participate and engage, which is key to its success.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services confirmed that:

-       a group of tenants is already at the heart of what we do, and their important feedback helps the council to build and change;

-       community walks have already started and will continue;

-       tenants will have a single person with whom to communicate, responsible for linking aspects of the council’s housing provision;  this will encourage them to bring issues or problems to the council;

-       the Tenants’ Voice is posted to all tenants, giving them the opportunity to say what they want and to engage with the council.  Officers are championing this and working together with tenants to make it happen.

The Leader recalled that some years ago, CBH carried out monthly walkabouts in different parts of the town, and said that if this is to be revived, it would be helpful to make Members aware, allowing them to participate and then provide officers with feedback on what they have found in their wards.  Directing issues to the right person at an early stage will help get solve problems quickly as well as reducing the individual caseload for Members.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities complimented the clear plan, which sets out its goals and how they will be achieved.  She particularly liked the clear foreword in the Action Plan, and the detail about different types of engagement activity, a lot of which is already happening. She welcomed the new forum for younger people and older people, and said she would like to this to complement the actions in the Year of Youth Voice Action if possible. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services said she would be pleased to work together to help make life better for people.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Tenant and Leaseholder Voice Plan is adopted.