West Dunbartonshire Council has received an award in recognition of its commitment to involving tenants in its housing decisions.

The council is the first local authority in Scotland to achieve the silver accreditation from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Scotland.

The award recognises the council’s commitment to involving tenants in decision making processes and ensuring they can influence decisions about housing policies, conditions and services.

It follows a rigorous assessment process during which TPAS looked at how council housing services engage with tenants.

Among the strengths highlighted were the involvement of tenants in decision making, the tenant participation strategy and the resources and support available to enable tenant participation.

Assessors also hailed the wide range of good quality information provided for tenants and residents and commended the council’s desire to involve tenants in assessing services and scrutinising performance and service delivery.

The accreditation report cited the many positive examples of where the council and tenants have a good working relationship including West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation, and of working together to set standards that tenants want.

The council has already agreed an action plan to build on its success with proposals to involve more younger tenants and homeless people in its activities and work with WDTRO to produce an action plan setting out their priorities for the year ahead.

Councillor David McBride, convener of housing and communities, said: “Tenant Participation is very much a core housing function and we strive to put our tenants at the heart of everything we do. We have embarked in a multi-million pound investment in our housing in West Dunbartonshire at a level never before seen in the area.

“We are building new homes and improving our existing stock, and it’s really important to us that tenants are involved in that process at every step including the scrutiny of service delivery. It’s fantastic to see our efforts recognised.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, vice-convener of housing and communities, added: “This award is given to organisations that involve their tenants in their activities and decision making process. We’re proud to achieve it but are not complacent and already have firm plans to ensure our tenants are fully involved in shaping and informing the decisions we make about their homes and communities. By working together we will continue to regenerate and improve our estates.”

TPAS Scotland is a national tenant and landlord participation advisory service promoting good practice in tenant participation.

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