Tenants attended local events, got involved in a scrutiny panel, completed an online questionnaire and attended a ‘Question Time’ event to conclude discussions.

Tenant involvement in rent setting discussions is co-ordinated through the Budget Scrutiny Group made up of tenant representatives and South Lanarkshire Council officers. The group met in June 2015 and agreed a programme for engagement. A total of 300 tenants participated in the consultation.

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel, made up of eight tenant representatives, met with relevant council officers in November to consider a range of relevant budgetary information. The panel invited council officers to answer questions on the key priorities, influences and challenges for the housing budget.

Panel chair David Downie said: “Despite the inclement weather, attendance was good at the panel session. We were able to ask a range of questions about the housing budget and the priorities and pressures. All in all a worthwhile session.”

To close the consultation a ‘Question Time’ event, open to all tenants in South Lanarkshire, was held in December and provided a final opportunity for tenants to question council officers about their proposals. Tenants on the scrutiny panel also outlined the key findings from the panel session.

Tenants who participated noted that the council provided a range of opportunities for them to be involved in the rent setting discussions and for them to understand their proposals and give their views.

The council has also been gathering views from tenants through local housing forums and through an online survey.

The feedback and views from all consultation will be collated and included in the report presented to Housing and Technical Resources Committee in February 2016 where approval for the rent increase for 2016-2017 will be sought.

Annette Finnan, head of area services, said: “The consultation was a real success with all involved enjoying the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion on the key priorities, influences and challenges for the housing service and the options for setting the rent level for the year ahead. We are committed to working closely with our tenants and found the approach taken was extremely positive and a good model of tenant involvement in scrutiny.”

For further information please contact the South Lanarkshire Tenants Development Support Project on SLproject@tis.org.uk.

@SouthLanCouncil