Agenda item

Following a briefing note received by the Environment Select Committee on 1 September 2015 regarding changes to the council’s approach to resident participation and scrutiny arrangements, the Committee established the Resident Engagement Task Group.

The final report of the Task Group was heard at 12 April meeting and the minute for the item can be accessed under item 5 of this agenda. Following the receipt of the Task Group’s final report, a report is included which presents the response from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure, Libraries and Flooding.

Cllr Seed, Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure, Libraries and Flooding and James Cawley, Associate Director – Adult Care Commissioning and Housing, were in attendance to provide the executive response to the Resident Engagement task group’s final report; which was received at 12 April Committee meeting.

Cllr Seed detailed that the report had highlighted three main recommendations that centred on equality, the housing magazine and collating information. He highlighted that the resident engagement strategy appeared to be progressing well and that it had attracted a reasonable response from residents. It was also noted that the resident engagement strategy had won an award for its engagement with residents.

James Cawley outlined that the Housing Board encompassed nine individuals; three of whom were classed as independent from both the Housing Associations and Wiltshire Council, three of whom were tenants of the relevant housing associations and three of whom were Wiltshire Councillors. Mr Cawley signalled that the issues raised by the task group would be explored and incorporated into the future programme of work of the Housing Board.

It was confirmed that the resident engagement strategy would be considered by the Housing Board in July and from this, the strategy would then be progressed through to the Housing Board. It was also highlighted that establishing how the Council’s current resident engagement strategy could become more focused could be pursued through the Housing Board.

In terms of recommendation 3 of the report, which was provided with the agenda, Cllr Seed stated that the budget for resident engagement would be further considered as time progressed and that until discussions had been had with the main tenant group, the aims and objectives of the budget would remain the same.

For recommendation 4, Cllr Seed clarified that the Council had a statutory duty to ensure that there was an opportunity for tenant participation and that, although some members may have felt that attendance levels at such meetings had been low, since the strategy for resident engagement had been updated, there had been an increase in participation at such meetings. A discussion was then had where the point was raised that resident engagement was entirely possible; however, the best possible form of engagement would demand different strategies be put in place and that a partnership of Wiltshire Police, Housing Associations and their residents, as well as Wiltshire Councillors be formed. Several members noted that they felt that it was important that the task group met with the Housing Board; in order to help ensure that resident engagement could be maximised.

The offer was proposed by the Executive and subsequently accepted by the Chairman of the task group for the organisation of a meeting between the Housing Board and the Task Group. It was agreed that such a meeting would focus on how to achieve the greatest value from the Housing Board meetings themselves; in order to ensure that the resident engagement strategy could be accurately and appropriately focused and provide the best possible service to residents.

In regard to recommendation 5, Cllr Seed commented that it was felt that a publication was needed more than once annually, in order to ensure that all tenants were engaged effectively; as many tenants did not have access to the internet. It was noted that the executive would consider the cost benefit of publishing one annual publication, in light of the task group’s ideas. The chairman of the Task Group commented that obviously an annual publication would be supplemented by more cost-effective newsletters providing any important new information. It was explained that webpages had to be user friendly and updated in line with the Council’s corporate priorities. It was confirmed that the tenants who formed a part of the Housing Board had been recruited through an extensive process that had involved all Housing Associations.

Resolved:

i.        That the Committee note the executive response to the Final Report of the Resident Engagement Task Group;

ii.       That a meeting be arranged between the Task Group and members of the Housing Panel to review the Resident Engagement Strategy and ensure that Housing Panel meetings provided the best possible service to residents;

iii.       That the Resident Engagement Task Group review whether the Council’s Housing webpages are user friendly and in line with the Council’s corporate priorities;

iv.      That the Environment Select Committee receive an update report on the progress of Wiltshire Council’s resident engagement strategy and its outcome in twelve months.