Decision details

Chris Swinn addressed Cabinet in respect of Item 6, “New Tenants Participation Structure”, and stated that he had expected another consultation with tenants to take place given that the previous ones had failed.  He referred to the MORI survey that had been undertaken in February.  Chris Swinn noted that tenant satisfaction had gone up by approximately 1% per survey.  He asked Cabinet to clarify what was meant by “tenant participation”.  He referred to two properly constituted mechanisms that the Council had put in place and then ended.  Chris Swinn commented that lessons needed to be learnt from the past and he queried what guarantee there was that the new proposed mechanism would work.  He commented that there was a need for the Council to go out to tenants rather than tenants to come to the Council.  He stated that estate walkabouts, etc, needed to be advertised.  Chris Swinn concluded by commenting that tenants’ consultation was about partnership working and that problems and solutions should be jointly agreed between tenants and the Council.

Shayley Watson, on behalf of Eastfield Residents Association, addressed Cabinet in respect of Item 6, “New Tenants Participation Structure”, and referred to her address to Cabinet in December 2009 in respect of concerns about the lack of consultation with tenants regarding the proposed PFI project.  She stated that tenants wanted to be involved and the Council needed residents to be on their side.  She referred to HCA advice that the Council must consult all tenants.  Eastfield Residents Association wanted three representatives to put forward tenants’ views.  She stated that tenants should not have to seek out answers to their questions.  In answer to a question, Shayley Watson confirmed that her comments were mainly directed around the PFI project.  She also acknowledged that the newssheet “In My Home” invited residents of Eastfield and Thorplands to get involved.

Tony Mallard, on behalf of Eastfield Residents Association, addressed Cabinet in respect of Item 6, “New Tenants Participation Structure”, and commented upon concerns in respect of the lack of consultation in terms of the proposed PFI project; and that residents had been asked to join steering groups but nothing had been heard since.  He stated that residents had concerns about the future of their homes; Housing Officers wandering around estates without explanation gave rise to unease.  He stated that residents’ views should be taken seriously and that Eastfield and Thorplands residents wanted three representatives each on any steering group.

Beverley Mannell addressed Cabinet in respect of Item 6, “New Tenants Participation Structure”, and stated that the response to the Overview and Scrutiny recommendations was long awaited.  She concurred with the views of the speakers and stated that tenants wanted what they wanted.  She observed that there had been no consultation with tenants on the findings from Overview and Scrutiny.  She asked a question aimed at the Director of Housing, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Chief Executive as to why tenants had had to wait so long for a forum.  She noted that the Audit Commission and the TSA required this.  She also noted that under the TSA the Council now had to meet seven standards and that the Council needed to empower its tenants to make their own decisions.