The Tenant Participation Strategy has been produced in line with requirements under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and an accompanying Action Plan will evolve over its three-year span, in response to continuing engagement with council tenants.

Cabinet spokesperson for Housing and Property Maintenance, Councillor Andy Forrest, said: “East Lothian Council takes its responsibility to involve tenants in shaping the services they receive very seriously. This new strategy will continue the good work already taking place in ensuring that tenants’ needs, wants and opinions are at the heart of what we do. This important piece of work also underpins other plans including the Local Housing Strategy.

“The strategy’s vision is to maximise the participation of all our tenants by forming good working relationships, building trust and respect, whilst sharing information and ideas. We will provide resources for tenant participation, give tenants time to consider proposals, involve them and give them the opportunity to influence our decision-making.”

Prior to the development of the 2024-2027 strategy, council officers worked with the East Lothian Tenants and Residents’ Panel (ELTRP), to review the previous strategy which covered 2020-23, looking at its successes and challenges. The new draft strategy then went out to public consultation at the beginning of this year and included letters and emails to tenants and groups, an online consultation and an in-person event hosted by ELTRP.

Following this week’s approval by Cabinet, arrangements will be made to formally launch the strategy at a joint event with ELTRP.