The Tenant and Resident Participation (TRP) Strategy for 2024-27 has been produced in partnership with council tenants and Housing staff and aims to make it as easy as possible for tenants to get involved in shaping the decisions that affect them, at a level they are comfortable with.

The council has a legal duty to manage Housing Services so that tenants and other customers find it easy to participate in decision-making. The involvement of tenants is also vital to ensure we continue to provide the type of high-quality services that people want and need.

Four key strategic priorities for participation have been agreed with tenants, which are:

• Creating a culture of tenant participation across staff and tenants.
• Improving communication and keeping tenants informed of the decisions which affect them.
• Ensuring everyone has a say in the housing decisions that matter to them.
• Ensuring tenants and communities lead the way in improving neighbourhoods and places.

To support these priorities, a menu of opportunities has been drawn up to encourage tenants to participate in a range of different ways. These include taking part in online consultations, attending events either in-person or online, joining groups set up to scrutinise services, or even just communicating with staff through our dedicated social media channels for tenants.

The Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee will be asked to approve the updated TRP Strategy on Wednesday 2nd October.

Committee vice convener, Councillor Sheila McCole, said: “It is vitally important that we work in close partnership with tenants and remove barriers so everyone can have a say in what kind of services we provide for them and so they can tell us where we need to improve.

“This new Strategy will see a participation built into every piece of work the Housing Service does, so that tenants’ voices are heard loud and clear.

“The approach set out will provide tenants with a wide range of participation opportunities, from small scall involvement like filling out a survey on their phone at home, to getting involved in meetings that examine the workings of our Housing Revenue Account. The strategy allows tenants to get involved and influence their services at a level that suits them.

“I would encourage all of our tenants to get involved in any way that they can, to make sure they have a say in important decisions that affect them.”