Content

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.