Resident Participation and Consultation€¦ · The Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy has been through a comprehensive consultation process to ensure that residents’

ResidentParticipation andConsultationStrategy

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2 Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy

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Contentspage

Introduction 2

Resident Involvement Service Standard 5

Context 6

National Context 6

Regional Context 8

Local Context 9

Review of Participation Structures 11

Communications 13

Role of the Resident Participation Officers 14

Overall participation structures 14

Formal Participation 16

Informal Participation 20

Engaging the Wider Community 23

Consultations Arrangements 29

Appendix 1 - Resident Participation and 31Consultation Strategy Action Plan

Appendix 2 - Statutory Powers and Responsibilities 33

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Wandsworth Council 3

IntroductionResidents are central to the work of the Housing and RegenerationDepartment and are best placed to tell us what works well and whatcould work better.

Resident participation enables the needs, prioritiesand aspirations of residents to form the basis ofservice development and help drive improvements.The Council is committed to ensuring that allresidents can get involved to the level of theirchoosing by providing a range of participationopportunities.

Regular reviews of the housing participationstructures mean that the Council can be confidentthat the range of opportunities available remainappropriate and that residents feel empowered toinfluence decisions about their housing and getinvolved with their local community. Residentinvolvement is a key theme of the Government’sSocial Housing Green Paper (SHGP) whichemphasised the importance of engaging withresidents and listening to their views.

The SGHP identifies the need for landlords to consultresidents on the involvement mechanisms availableto them to scrutinise their housing managementservice. In response, the Council completed a full-scale review of its participation structures, theoutcomes of which were key to developing thisResident Participation and Consultation Strategy.This was led by a Residents’ Working Group (RWG) ina series of workshops which considered howparticipation could be enhanced across the board.This Strategy would not have been possiblewithout the input of the RWG, and the Council wouldlike to take this opportunity to thank all the membersfor their hard work and commitment throughoutthe process.Draft...


The minimum requirements for tenant involvementand empowerment are set out in the RegulatoryFramework for Social Housing’s Tenant Involvementand Empowerment Standard 201711. This stipulatesthat social landlords must give tenants a wide rangeof opportunities to influence and be involved inmatters including housing-related policies andstrategic priorities, decision-making about servicedelivery, scrutiny of their landlord’s performance andthe management of their homes. Support must begiven to tenants to facilitate their participation,including providing timely and relevant performanceinformation and by ensuring that implications ofchanges to services are clearly explained.

The Resident Participation and Consultation Strategyhas been through a comprehensive consultationprocess to ensure that residents’ and otherstakeholders’ views have been central to itsdevelopment.

As well as the RWG, views of the wider residentpopulation were sought through an onlinequestionnaire available to the public throughout theperiod of the review. The draft Strategy will bepresented at the Area Housing Panels in Autumn2019 and will be subject to a six week publicconsultation, the results of which will inform the finalStrategy which will be launched at a Residents’Association Conference in early 2020.

1 www.gov.uk/guidance/regulatory-standardsDraft...


Resident InvolvementService StandardThe Council’s service standard in relation to residentinvolvement builds on those set out by the Regulatorof Social Housing which state how Councils shouldinvolve their tenants.

The Council also recognises the role leaseholdersplay in their community and in helping to shapeservices. As such, the Council’s service standardapplies to all residents of Council-managed housing,regardless of tenure, and sets out some specifictargets for the Council to meet every year. Thisstandard has been reviewed to align with therecommendations of the RWG to ensure they reflectcurrent priorities around resident engagement andare set out below:

• Support the development of accreditedResidents’ Associations (RA) and seek to increasethe number of residents with access to an RA.

• Publish and deliver Homelife to all Councilproperties four times a year and promotethe online version.

• Provide a variety of ways for you to tell us whatyou think about our services, including formaland informal methods of engagement.

• Hold two focus groups a year, one of which willlook at the Annual Report to Residents.

• Publish a sheltered housing news section in eachissue of Homelife and hold sheltered RA focusgroup meetings three times a year.

• Provide two newsletters a year for all those whoreceive the WATCH Lifeline Service.

• Carry out satisfaction surveys and use responsesto monitor and improve serviceand performance.

• Provide support and funding for recognisedHousing Community Champions who work forthe benefit of their local community andpublicise their work.

• Work closely with residents on estates identifiedfor improvement and regeneration to developpreferred options for the future of their homesand wider neighbourhood, with the aim ofincreasing housing options for the Borough’sresidents and workers.

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National ContextSocial Housing Green Paper

In August 2018, the Government released its SocialHousing Green Paper2 (SHGP), which aims torebalance the relationship between residents andlandlords where necessary, tackle stigma associatedwith social housing and ensure that it can be both astable base that supports people when they need itas well as enabling social mobility.

The Paper sets out five core themes: -

• Ensuring homes are safe and decent

• Effective resolution of complaints

• Empowering residents and strengtheningthe regulator

• Tackling stigma and celebratingthriving communities

• Expanding supply and supportinghome ownership

The SHGP has brought a renewed focus on theimportance of empowering and listening to socialhousing residents. Meaningful engagement withresidents drives better services and ensuresresidents are involved in decisions that affecttheir housing.

The effective resolution of complaints is central toresidents being able to take greater ownership oftheir housing situation. The SHGP argues thatresidents should have a stronger voice to influencedecisions and challenge their landlord to improveperformance.

They must also be able to access good complaintsprocesses, as well as swift and effective redresswhere appropriate. The recent consultation,Strengthening Consumer Redress in the HousingMarket1, sought views on how to improve current in-house complaints processes, the results of which aredue to be published late 2019.

The SHGP aims to build on this by considering how toimprove the whole complaints process, from in-houseprocedures to the involvement of the HousingOmbudsman and Regulator for Social Housing.

Landlords’ performance and residents’ ability toeasily assess performance is crucial to them feelingempowered. The SHGP states that landlords shouldbe assessed against standards that matter toresidents with performance data published in a clear,regular and consistent format. To achieve this anagreed set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to beused by all social landlords should be developed.Residents will be central to devising these KPIs.

As set out as a commitment in the Housing andHomelessness Strategy, the Council has reviewed itsconsultation and participation arrangements inresponse to the proposals set out in the SHGP toensure that residents are encouraged to engage inmeaningful involvement and that they can be suretheir voice is heard. The review is discussed in detailon page 11.

1 www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-consumer-redress-in-housing2 www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-new-deal-for-social-housingDraft...


Regulatory FrameworkThe regulatory framework governing social housingis made up of regulatory requirements, codes ofguidance and regulatory guidance. The regulatoryrequirements comprise standards including theTenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard20174. This states that social housing providersshould ensure that tenants are given a wide range ofopportunities to influence and be involved in theformation of their landlord’s housing-relatedstrategic priorities, decision-making about howservices are delivered, performance scrutiny and themanagement of their homes. Landlords are expectedto support their tenants to develop and get involved,including through exercising their Right to Manage,by supporting tenant groups and providingperformance information to help tenants effectivelyscrutinise services.

Housing Act 1985:Section 105 of the Housing Act 1985 requires localauthority landlords to maintain arrangements toinform and consult with secure tenants who are likelyto be substantially affected by changes to matters ofhousing management. The authority is obliged toconsider any representations made before making adecision on such a matter. A housing managementmatter is defined as including the maintenance,improvement or demolition of housing, the provisionof services and amenities in connection to suchhousing and related policies and practices.

Housing Act 1996Section 137 of the Housing Act 1996 extends the dutycontained in section 105 of the Housing Act 1985, asoutlined above, to include introductory tenants.

Full statutory responsibilities in relation to residentconsultation are set out in Appendix 1.

4 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725831/Tenant_Involvement_and_Empowerment_Standard.pdfDraft...


Regional ContextLondon Housing Strategy 2018

The Mayor’s London Housing Strategy 2018emphasises the importance of listening to the viewsof social housing residents and ensuring these are atthe heart of decision-making by social landlords.

Individual residents must have effective recoursefor their complaints and broader issues withspecific landlords or estates must be dealt withquickly. Residents’ views, concerns and interestsneed a stronger voice at a national level to informpolicy-making.

The Strategy also highlights the importance ofmeaningful consultation with residents, both inrelation to existing housing and in the planning anddelivery of new housing.

The draft Good Practice Guide to EstateRegeneration5 sets out the Mayor's expectations fornew estate regeneration schemes.

Draft London Plan 2018The revised London Plan 20186 includes a policycommitment to driving inclusive growth, deliveringstrong and inclusive communities. To achieve this,planners and developers must provide access togood quality community spaces, services andamenities and infrastructure that accommodate,encourage and strengthen communities, increasingactive participation and social integration, andaddressing social isolation. Streets and public spacesmust be consistently planned for people to movearound and spend time in comfort and safety,creating spaces where everyone is welcome whichfoster a sense of belonging and where communitiescan develop and thrive.

6 www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2018_lhs_london_housing_strategy.pdf5 https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/09.draftgoodpracticeestateregenerationguidedec16.pdf

6 https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/new-london-plan/download-draft-london-plan-0Draft...


A Housing Offer for WandsworthPeople: Housing and HomelessnessStrategy 2019 – 2022The Council’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy2019-2022, A Housing Offer for Wandsworth People,sets out its commitment to continue to workproactively with residents to inform policy andimprove services. The Council will support residentsto get involved with their local community andfacilitate a range of ways residents can participatewith the Council to ensure that everyone has thechance to be involved in decisions affecting theirhousing, either through formal or less formalapproaches.

The Strategy set out the Council’s commitment toreview resident consultation arrangements byworking with a RWG by September 2019. Thecommitment to implement a new IT system bySummer 2019 will also have positive implications forengagement; the new Customer Portal will improvecommunication with residents by allowing them toreport issues, track progress and give feedback onthe housing services they receive in a moreaccessible way.

Wandsworth Local Plan 2016The Council’s Local Plan comprises severaldocuments, the most important being the CoreStrategy. This highlights the importance of continuedpublic consultation with local residents and otherstakeholders when devising the development plan forthe Borough.

Evidence of the Council’s commitment to meaningfulconsultation in regards to planning is demonstratedthroughout the Core Strategy which, forexample, outlines consultation arrangements inrespect of the Winstanley/York Road and Altonregeneration schemes.

The Local Plan also highlights the importance offactoring in community spaces when makingplanning decisions; these spaces can be used by avariety of community groups and the Councilrecognises the central role they play in meeting thehealth and wellbeing, social, educational, spiritual,recreational, leisure and cultural needs of thecommunity. One of the policy objectives is thereforeto resist the loss of social and community facilitiesand to seek to secure the provision of new suchfacilities. An updated Local Plan is due to be adoptedin 2021.

Statement of CommunityInvolvement

Statements of Community Involvement (SCI) providea framework for consultation and communityengagement in planning, to offer both transparencyin planning communications and a flexible approachto all future consultations within this overallframework. It enables the Planning Service tocontinue to meaningfully involve local communitiesand stakeholders.

SCIs are a legal requirement and form part of theevidence to support the productions of a Local Plan.The Council’s SCI was refreshed in 20197 and seeks toaddress and expand upon minimum requirementswhere possible to improve the effectiveness ofcommunity involvement in all aspects ofWandsworth’s Planning Service. The framework isguided by the National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) which emphasises the importance of early,proportional and effective engagement andcollaboration with communities, local organisations,businesses, infrastructure providers and operators,and statutory consultees in plan preparation.

7 https://wandsworth.gov.uk/media/3507/statement_of_community_involvement_2019.pdf

Local ContextDraft...


Let’s TalkA programme of Let’s Talk events was relaunched inOctober 2018 and since then several ward meetingshave been held across the Borough.

These have been well-attended by local residentswho have the opportunity to ask councillors andofficers from across the Council about any issues ofconcern. These meetings provide an opportunity forall residents, regardless of whether they participatein formal structures, to provide feedback and helpdrive service improvement.

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Review of ParticipationStructuresResidents’ Working Group (RWG)

In 2019, in response to the SHGP, the Council embarked ona full-scale review of its participation structures in partnershipwith a RWG.The Council previously established RWGs in 2006,2009 and 2015, each with a specific remit, to reviewthe Council’s participation mechanisms and producea series of recommendations. 2006 and 2009 RWGslooked at how to enhance consultation andparticipation structures to improve training,communication and scrutiny arrangements. In 2015,a RWG was convened to consider whether theGuidelines for Accreditation and a ModelConstitution governing accredited RAs should beamended to allow for wider participation at RAofficer level. Consideration was also given toamending the rules around Associate RAs.Fundamentally, the broad purpose of the RWG was toensure all residents can be involved at some level,whilst being mindful of the particular financial andlegal relationship that tenants and residentleaseholders have with the Council.

The amendments proposed by the RWG were takenforward as recommendations to the Area HousingPanels (AHPs), Borough Residents Forum (BRF) andHousing and Regeneration Overview Scrutiny(HROSC) Committee where they were agreed.

These were a successful and effective way ofconsulting residents on a range of issues relating toresident participation and the 2019 RWG built uponthis experience.

The purpose of the RWG was to:

• Consider all aspects of the Council’s residentparticipation structures to ensure they functionwell and meet the needs of residents, including:

– Overall participation structure

– Constitutions and formal structures

– Informal participation routes and how toencourage participation

– Performance reporting and communications

• Consider how the Council can address mattersraised in the Government’s SHGP.

• Consider how the Council can enhance theopportunities for resident participation atdifferent levels, including looking at examples ofbest practice in the social housing sector.

• Encourage as many residents living in councilmanaged properties as possible to get involvedin matters affecting their housing.

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MembershipThe RWG consisted of:

• Two representatives nominated from each of thefour AHPs (one tenant and one leaseholder). Thisensured that the RWG had equal representationfrom across the Borough and was representativeof the Council’s housing stock which isapproximately 50% tenanted and 50%leasehold.

• One resident representative nominated fromthe Co-op Forum.

• Co-vice-chairs of the BRF, who alternatedchairing the RWG workshops.

To ensure wider participation, participants were notcurrent members of the BRF, with the exception ofthe co-vice-chairs who represented the BRF at theRWG. Reports on the work of the RWG and theStrategy were presented to the BRF in June andSeptember 2019. A summary of each workshop wasalso circulated to RWG members after each meeting,before being published on a dedicated webpage.

WorkshopsThe RWG took part in a series of five workshopsbetween March and August 2019 to consider allaspects of the resident participation structures andrelevant constitutions, as follows:

• Workshop One: Overview of currentparticipation in the Borough, SHGP and theRWG process. This was an opportunity for theRWG to comment on the proposed topics andensure everything that needed to be coveredwas included.

• Workshop Two: Formal participation structures(including RAs, AHP, BRF), major worksconsultation, involving residents in procurementof contracts and training opportunities for RAs.

• Workshop Three: Exploring informal routes ofparticipation, housing community champions,estate walkabouts, best practice in the sector.

• Workshop Four: Resident Online Portal,performance reporting and satisfaction surveys.

• Workshop Five: Proactively using complaintsdata, the draft Resident Participation andConsultation Strategy and Action Plan.

The recommendations from each workshop havebeen used to inform this Strategy and the ActionPlan sets out how the Council will take the workarising forward.

Online ConsultationIn addition to the RWG, the Council also sought theviews of the wider resident population through anonline questionnaire which was available to thepublic throughout the period of the review. Thequestionnaire was publicised through Homelifenewsletter, Brightside magazine and the Council’ssocial media channels. The Council received 100responses and information received as part of thisonline consultation has helped inform the review ofparticipation structures and this strategy.

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CommunicationsCommunicating with residents is key to resident participation and isa thread throughout this Strategy as reflected in the arising actions.The Department communicates with its residents in a variety ofdifferent ways, including through corporate, Council-wide channels(such as Brightside the Council’s newsletter, social media campaignsand the website).

WebpagesWhilst the Corporate Web Team manage the overalldesign of the Council’s webpages, the Housing andRegeneration Department are responsible forhousing specific content. The Departmentundertakes reviews of webpages at regular intervalsand in line with changes in regulations or legislation.Whilst the Council is generally moving towards adigital-first approach and moving content onto thewebpage, there are certain publications that are stillrequired in print form – for example TenancyConditions and Homesafe booklet for new tenants.

Homelife The Council publishes Homelife, its housingnewsletter, four times a year which is delivered to allCouncil managed properties in the Borough and isthe main channel through which the Departmentcommunicates with its residents. It publicises thework of the Council and ensures residents areinformed about the Council’s strategic direction,priorities and policies. Homelife is also used to keepresidents up to date with issues affecting theirhousing, for example council led development onestates, major works and SIBs projects. Each issueincludes pages on ‘Community News’ whichpromotes the work of RAs, HCCs and activities in thewider community, with a dedicated section for newsfrom the Council’s sheltered schemes. Residents areable to submit news stories for these pages to showthe positive community work that is happening intheir area. This may include street parties, day trips,inclusion projects and community gardens.

The Council is committed to continuing to produceHomelife as both a hard copy delivered to residentsand an online version on the Council’s website.

In the Autumn issue of Homelife, the Councilpublishes its Annual Report to Residents. The reportis split into five sections, which are based on theRegulatory Framework for Social Housing: Tenancy;Home; Neighbourhood and Community; TenantInvolvement; and Value for Money. The annual reportis the most far reaching performance report,containing information on a range of housingmatters and providing an overview of the year’sperformance and is produced in partnership with aresidents’ focus group. Performance measures in thereport generally stay the same year on year to alloweasy comparison, but these are updated as prioritieschange, and new areas of work arise. The reportprovides benchmarking to the year before (inbrackets) and uses a traffic light rating to showwhere the Council is meeting its standards or needsto make improvements. The report also sets outwhat the key priorities will be for the following year.These are informed by on-going conversations withthe formal resident participation structures, trendsidentified through Housing Link satisfaction surveysand strategic priorities.

The Council is committed to ensuring it utilises itscommunication channels effectively to informresidents about matters affecting their housing andto empower involvement. The actions throughoutthis Strategy set out how the Council will do this. Draft...


Role of the ResidentParticipation OfficersAs part of the Council’s commitment to encouraging participation,there is a designated Resident Participation Officer (RPO) in each ofthe four area housing teams (Central, Eastern, Western, Southern).

Their role is to help and encourage residents to getinvolved with the Housing and RegenerationDepartment. They provide support and advice aboutall resident participation matters and help tobuild a close relationship between local residentsand the Department.

Their work includes:

• Providing information and advice on allparticipation and consultation opportunities

• Helping to set up and maintain RAs

• Delivering training courses

• Advising on funding opportunities andassisting with small improvement budget(SIB) applications

• Supporting community activities

• Liaising with and monitoring residentmanagement organisations (RMOs)

Overall participationstructuresThe Council has well established resident participation structuresthat were first approved by committee in 1999 and were reviewedwith the help of residents in 2006, 2009 and 2015.

The structure sets out the Council’s formal andinformal routes of participation, and how these feedinto one another. During the 2019 review, it wasconcluded that whilst the formal routes are robustand well established, the informal routes neededenhancing. Therefore, the most significant change tothe structure following the review in 2019 will be toincrease the informal routes available.

The Council’s participation structure aims to:

• Provide a role for everybody, with a focus onputting residents at the heart of the structure.

• Allow residents to get involved at the level oftheir choosing by offering a range ofengagement opportunities.

• Encourage residents to get involved andmaintain involvement.Draft...


Figure 1: Council’s participation structure


Formal ParticipationThis is how the Council formally consults with its residents and isa key element of the Council’s participation structure. Formal participation enables residents to scrutinise decisionsaffecting their housing and the Department’s performance.

The Department monitors its performance in keyareas and reports this to residents through theformal structures. Each element of the formalstructures has a specific remit which allows formatters to be addressed at the relevant level andthese feed into one another to ensurecommunication and feedback throughout.

Residents’ AssociationsResidents’ Associations (RAs) are the first level of theCouncil’s formal structures. An RA can be formed inany Council managed block or estate where there isan appetite from residents and are open to allresidents aged 16 or over in the block/estate.

RAs are a way for residents to formally work with theCouncil to resolve local issues, make decisions aboutthe management of their block or estate andinfluence housing services provided. RAs must meetformal standards to ensure that they are fair,transparent and representative of their area whichare measured through an annual accreditationprocess. These standards include: holding an annualgeneral meeting, meeting appropriate membershipquotas and following a code of conduct andapproved constitution. RAs are expected to followthe Council’s model constitution which sets out theaims and objectives of the association and how it willbe run. Rules on membership, the committee andfinance must not vary from those included in themodel constitution.

RAs who do not meet the criteria may be givenassociate status for an intermediate period of ninemonths while they grow and acquire relevant skillswith the support of the RPO. In 2018/19, there were54 Accredited RAs, with a further 5 being givenassociate status while RPOs work with them.

Accredited RAs benefit from an annual grant towardsrunning costs and may invite two representatives tosit on the AHP.

RAs must elect a committee who are responsible forrunning the association and must include a chair,treasurer and secretary. RAs hold regular meetingswhich are an opportunity to discuss mattersrelating to their block or estate and relevant Councilofficers will attend as appropriate (e.g. EstateManager or RPO).

Area Housing PanelAbove RAs on the formal structures are the fourAHPs, Southern, Central, Western and Eastern, whichmeet quarterly. The AHPs comprise tworepresentatives from each accredited RA in the areaand are chaired by a Council member.

As set out in the AHP constitution, the AHPs allowfor formal consultation with residents on housingrelated papers and policies where there is an effectat local level and provide an opportunity for liaisingwith BRF on relevant papers. The AHP agenda is setby the Council and RAs are invited to submit agendaitems in advance of each meeting. The AHPs areresponsible for the allocation of the SIBs funding forimprovement schemes on estates. See page elevenfor further information on SIBs.

The AHPs receive quarterly and annual reports onperformance which analyse the performance of thehousing management service (including the fourarea housing teams, support services and estateservices) and their contractors. These reports covertopics such as repairs, void turnaround times,tackling anti-social behaviour and budgetaryperformance. They are an opportunity for residentsto scrutinise local performance and are available onthe Council’s Website. Draft...


Sheltered Residents’ AssociationFocus Group

All sheltered schemes with an accredited RA areinvited to attend the Borough-wide Sheltered RAFocus Group which meets three times a year todiscuss matters relating to sheltered schemes andcommunicate with officers from the Council’ssheltered housing service. Representatives ofSheltered RAs may also sit on their respective AHP,but the Sheltered RA Focus Group provides anadditional, specific route of involvement forsheltered residents.

Borough Residents’ ForumThe BRF is the Council’s most senior residents’ bodyand allows the Council to meet its statutory duty toconsult with tenants on matters of housing

management10. The BRF meets prior to each HROSCto allow residents to scrutinise relevant issues ofpolicy and performance (i.e. those affecting Councilmanaged housing). As the most formal route ofresident consultation, the agenda is set by theCouncil and has a Borough-wide, strategic focus.Papers affecting a specific area would involve a moretailored approach, for example estate regenerationand council-led development proposals undergoextensive consultation arrangements with councilresidents living in the area and other localstakeholders. The BRF receive annual information onDepartmental Performance from the Key IssueUpdates and Key Performance Indicators whichare the highest level of performance monitoringin the Department and are available on theCouncil’s website.

10 Section 105, Housing Act 1985Draft...


The BRF comprises resident members electedannually from their respective bodies, as follows:

• Four members and one deputy from each AHP(Central, Southern, Western and Eastern.)

• Two members from the Co-op Forum

• One member and one deputy from theSheltered Residents’ Association Focus Group.

Each year, the BRF elect a resident member to holdthe position of Vice-Chair who attends HROSC toreport on residents’ views and feedback, and mayalso represent the BRF at other meetings asappropriate.

The Council will set up an annual poll to allow BRFmembers to consider a set of topics to be discussedat BRF. These could include a performance report,presentation and/or a service review as appropriate.The set of topics will be decided by the Council basedon emerging trends from satisfaction surveys,complaints data and strategic priorities. As thehighest formal structure, BRF members representthe views of their electing body (i.e. Area HousingPanels, Co-op Forum or Sheltered RA Focus Group).

Co-operatives / ResidentManagement Organisations

Council tenants and leaseholders have the legal rightto take over the management of their homes byforming a Resident Management Organisations(RMOs), also called Co-operatives. RMOs can takeover responsibility of services including repairs,maintenance, cleaning, dealing with anti-socialbehaviour and rent collection. To exercise this right,residents must set up a Residents’ Group withmembership of at least 20% of the block/estate.They must follow a set procedure showing that theycan manage services properly, including a 15 monthdevelopment period and an independentassessment. They must also prove that they havethe support of the majority of residents through aballot and through continuation ballots every 5 or 7years thereafter.

The Council currently has 12 RMOs and they aresubject to ongoing monitoring through quarterly andannual performance reports as well as independentaudits. The Council works closely with RMOs toresolve risks that arise from monitoring and wherenecessary services may come back to Councilmanagement.

Representatives from each RMO in the Borough areinvited to attend the quarterly Co-op Forum tomonitor performance and discuss issues relatingspecifically to RMOs. Up to four nominatedrepresentatives from each RMO may attend theForum (reps can be either officers or committeemembers). The Co-op Forum is responsible forallocating SIBs funding to RMOs and liaising with theBRF on relevant committee papers.Draft...


The Co-op Forum receives quarterly and annualperformance reports to compare the performance ofthe individual RMOs and the Council’s housingmanagement service. These reports cover matterssuch as repairs, void turnaround time, anti-socialbehaviour, complaints and rent collection.

Small Improvements BudgetThe SIB is a grant that residents can apply for tomake improvements to their estate or block whichwill benefit the community. These are considered andapproved at the AHPs and Co-op Forum. SIB bids caninclude projects such as: community gardens orlandscaping, railings, bike stores, bin enclosures ortables and benches for clubrooms/gardens.

To qualify for funding the improvement project must:

• Not exceed £20,000

• Be non-rechargeable to leaseholders

• Not incur any significant ongoingmaintenance costs

• Not be part of an existing programme of works(e.g. door entry systems) or ordinarily be metfrom other budgets.

Areas covered by an accredited RA or managed byan RMO are given priority for SIBs funding. Thebudget is ‘ring-fenced’ for RAs and RMOs for the first6-months of the financial year. Thereafter, residentsfrom any block/estate may apply for funding.

RA Conference and TrainingOpportunities

Following the RWG, it was identified that trainingopportunities should be provided for RAs. TheCouncil will offer a programme of trainingopportunities for accredited RAs. RPOs will deliverclassroom-based training sessions on a range oftopics, including: committee skills, RA grants and bidsand organising community events. The Council willalso consider ways to provide e-learning where this ismore appropriate, for example safeguarding, dataprotection and fraud awareness.

The Council will organise an RA conference in 2020to coincide with the launch of this Strategy. Theconference will be an opportunity for networking,training and workshops. It will also be an opportunityfor the Council to seek resident views on particulartopics and invite guest speakers. A set number ofrepresentatives from each RA in the Borough willbe invited.

We will:

• Continue to support existing RAs and encourage the formation of new ones throughthe work of the RPOs.

• Continue the promotion and use of SIBs funding.

• Monitor and support the Borough’s RMOs to ensure they continue to provide aneffective housing management service to their residents.

• Set up an annual poll to allow members of the BRF to vote on a topic to be consideredby the BRF during the year. .

• Implement changes following RWG to constitutions and membership of formalstructures, providing additional support to affected RAs to meet accreditationcriteria for 2020/21.

• Establish a programme of training for accredited RAs, including consideringoptions for e-learning.

• Organise an RA conference in 2020 to launch this Strategy.

• Update performance reports in line with recommendations from the RWG to ensurethese are clear and informative. Draft...


Informal ParticipationAs well as its formal participation structures, the Councilacknowledges the need for more informal, ad hoc ways toparticipate to ensure residents can engage at a levelof their choosing.

The intention is that residents can decide how and towhat degree they get involved and for many this willbe in the form of one-off events. These are importantin reaching a wide number of residents, seeking theviews of those who do not want to be involved on along-term basis and thus getting a rounded pictureof how services are being delivered. Theopportunities available to residents were developedthrough the RWG and are set out below.

Focus GroupsThese are one-off groups focusing on individualtopics such as housing publications, the website andspecific housing services. Residents who haveregistered their interest in being involved in suchgroups are invited to attend, and participantnumbers are generally between 10-20 residents,facilitated by 1-2 Council officers. The focus group hasa clear, limited remit and meets for a one-off eveningworkshop focused on a specific topic, for examplewebpages or a new policy. The group makesrecommendations in this specific area of work whichmay be taken through the formal participationstructures, e.g. the BRF, as appropriate. The Councilis committed to utilising focus groups as residentscan provide insight into how the Department isdelivering services and they are an opportunity forresidents not involved in the formal structures tohelp shape decisions.

Readers’ Panels

Readers’ panels provide feedback on housingdocuments and webpages before they are publishedwidely. Like focus groups, participants can berecruited from outside the formal participationstructures in order to reach a wider resident group.Participants review documents and webpagesindividually and complete a questionnaire with theirviews. The focus is on ensuring publications are easyto understand, engaging and useful. Residents areprovided with feedback from the Council regardinghow their input helped shape the final version.

Housing Community Champions The Housing Community Champion (HCC) scheme isa way of recognising the valuable work of residentsin their neighbourhood. The Council wants to ensurethat those residents who demonstrate commitmentto improving their local area are appreciated andencouraged to continue to do so, including those wholive in an area that is not covered by an RA. HCCshave access to a specific pot of money which can beused to support them to continue their work. As partof the Council’s participation structure, HCCs are alsoinvited to attend AHP as observers. HCCs areinvolved in a range of community activities andvolunteering including: community gardening;involvement in local community groups; organisingcommunity events such as children’s cookery classes,parties, community roast dinners; fundraising forcommunity projects; estate improvements. TheCouncil will ensure the HCC scheme is well publicisedthrough articles in Homelife, such as case studies ofcurrent and new HCCs. Draft...


Participation RegistersThe Council is committed to establishing a ‘GetInvolved Register’ which will allow residents to signup and choose topics they are interested in beingconsulted on.

This will create a pool of residents who are able to getinvolved outside of formal structures and at the levelof their choosing. Residents will be notified ofparticipation opportunities and Council consultationsrelating to topics they are interested in. The registerwill also allow the Council to seek resident feedbackon services and consultations as well as providing aroute to update residents based on their interests.

The Council is also committed to continuing toexplore new routes of informal participation andother ways residents can get involved with theHousing and Regeneration Department. For example,the Council will consider the feasibility of a mysteryshopping model where residents spot-checkconditions on estates to help monitor cleaning andmaintenance standards.

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We will:

• Carry out two focus groups per year with one designated for the review of the AnnualReport. Other topics covered will include webpages, major works consultationmechanisms and RA accreditation procedures.

• Set up new readers’ panels as appropriate to review publications, including thehousing webpages and the RA handbook.

• Review the HCC scheme, including how it can be better publicised and a review offunding arrangements to ensure the scheme remains sustainable as it grows.

• Set up a participation register and encourage residents to join.

• Consider the feasibility of mystery shopping exercises for residents to spot-checkestate conditions.Draft...


Engaging the WiderCommunityThe Council is committed to ensuring that all residents have theopportunity to get involved should they wish and engaging thewider resident population. Being able to consider the views of a wide range ofresidents is important in shaping services that meeta full range of needs. Encouraging participation,particularly amongst harder to reach residents, istherefore central to the Council’s aims aroundresident involvement and barriers to this must beovercome. One such way is by ensuring thatinvolvement activities are appealing to residents.The Department will therefore continue to ensurethat participation activities are convenient, rewardingand, where appropriate, social as these factors havebeen found to be key in appealing to residents.

Housing Link SurveysThe Housing Link satisfaction survey programme isan important consultation mechanism which enablesthe Department to gather the views of large groupsof residents on how well they think services are beingdelivered and where improvements might be made.The Council’s survey contractor conducts two-threesurveys a year with a representative panel of around1,500 residents, including tenants and residentleaseholders, seeking views on the overall housingmanagement service and more specific topics suchas repairs and anti-social behaviour. Results arepublished on the Council’s website and are used toinform service delivery design, make improvementsas necessary and consolidate effective practice.

As part of the response to the SHGP, the Council istaking the opportunity to review the Housing Linkprogramme to consider whether a fresh approachcoupled with improved use of technology and dataanalysis could aid survey completion and thepresentation of results.

As a sector, social housing landlords are moving toconducting more transactional surveys, askingresidents in real-time about specific services justreceived rather than large scale surveys a few timesa year. Transactional surveys can provide morerepresentative results as they are timely andfocused on a specific service received. The Counciltherefore is committed to exploring how thisapproach may complement its existing overallservices and seeking a move towards transactionalsurveys for key service areas.

Community GardensThe Council is committed to encouraging andsupporting residents to set up community gardenson their estate. Community gardens are particularlyeffective in engaging harder to reach residents whomay not be interested in formal routes ofparticipation but who are keen to get involved withactivities on their estate. Gardens allow residents tocome together in an informal setting whilst engagingwith the Council and making improvements to theirestate. The Council’s RPOs will work closely withresidents who identify space on their estate for acommunity garden to ensure there is support fromresidents, to help design the layout, liaise with thehorticultural team and apply for funding(through SIBs).

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Chelsea KicksThe Council works in partnership with ChelseaFootball Club who deliver football sessions forchildren and young people on Council estatesacross the Borough. Chelsea Kicks is part of thenationwide Kicks scheme which gives children andyoung people access to professional club coachesto help learn new football skills and improve theirfitness. It creates an environment where they candevelop positive behaviours such as team buildingthrough sports and involvement in theircommunity. The Kicks programme has alsodelivered workshops on health and wellbeing, self-defence and careers planning.

The Council has also worked with Chelsea FootballClub to extend the Chelsea Kicks programme toolder residents living in sheltered accommodationin the Borough. Regular fitness sessions are held atthe Lennox sheltered scheme and the Council isworking to roll this out to other schemes.

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Inclusion activities for older residentsThe Council provides a range of inclusion activitiesfor older residents, including those who live in oursheltered schemes. Each sheltered housing schemein the Borough has a dedicated sheltered housingofficer who is responsible for the management of thescheme and offers support to residents. Shelteredschemes host regular activities, including exerciseclasses, bingo and film nights and organise day trips,including visits to the coast, theatre trips andshopping trips. These are open to all older residentsin the Borough, with priority given to residents ofCouncil’s sheltered schemes. Activities are publicisedthrough Homelife and the WATCH newsletter.

The Council’s Supported Housing Services Teamhave two community development co-ordinators whoare responsible for organising social inclusion eventsfor older council residents, such as a book club andchoir. A key focus of their role is to engage withharder to reach groups and ensure all older residentshave the opportunity and are supported to getinvolved in their local community. For example, theCouncil’s ‘Men in Sheds’ programme which aims toprevent social isolation by giving men and womenover 50 years old an opportunity to work on a rangeof projects including woodwork and crafts whilstmeeting likeminded people.

Rewarding and PromotingParticipation

Rewarding participation helps residents feelappreciated for the time and effort their inputinvolves. The Council will continue to appropriatelyreward residents; this is usually in the form of ashopping voucher.

Effective promotion of participation opportunities iskey to ensuring wide participation. The Council iscommitted to utilising its communication channels,including print publications (Homelife, Brightside),digital methods (webpages and social media) as wellas face-to-face and telephone contact to promoteparticipation opportunities and feedback fromresident involvement.A review of how effectivelyparticipation opportunities are promoted will enablethe Department to identify any areas whereenhanced promotion could lead to increasedinvolvement. This may be through more regularfeatures in Homelife, for example advertisingupcoming RA events, and greater use of social mediato highlight opportunities to get involved inconsultations and one-off events. The Council willconsider the needs of those who are not online whenpublicising participation and consultationopportunities, for example the Council willensure these are promoted through Homelife aswell as online.

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Involvement in LocalCommunity Events

As well as encouraging RAs to host events andproviding support for this though the RPOs, theDepartment considers how and when it can getinvolved in local community events, in particularthose taking place on its estates (such as the FalconRoad Festival and events with Providence HouseYouth Group ). Such events provide residents withthe opportunity to meet Council officers face-to-face,provide feedback and find out more about services inan informal setting.

Regeneration FestivalsThe Department’s Regeneration Team organise anannual ‘Get Active’ festival in both Battersea andRoehampton in partnership with Enable Leisure andCulture, the Council’s development partners andlocal organisations. The festivals are held on estatesand are a successful method of engaging the widercommunity. The festivals consist of a range ofactivities, including sports, arts and crafts, as well asopportunities to find out more and engage in theregeneration process. Council officers anddevelopment partners are on hand to discussregeneration plans with residents and there areinteractive consultation activities, such as largeexhibition boards and models of thedevelopment proposals. Draft...


Partnership workingThe Department works in partnership with a range ofvoluntary organisations and local agencies toencourage events in the community and on itsestates, from arts festivals to sports sessions. TheCouncil is committed to ensuring that residents livingin its Council properties benefit from the wide rangeof activities and cultural programmes taking placeacross Wandsworth. The Department helps facilitateevents on estates, for example by offering space forthem to take place on housing land and providesupport publicising events to its residents. TheCouncil is committed to continuing this successfuljoint working.

Some recent examples of the Department’spartnership working are set out below:

• The Department facilitated Wandsworth ArtsFringe to bring the Errant Stage Poetry Tour tothe Brocklebank in Earlsfield, Doddington andRollo Estate in Battersea. The events providedlocal residents with free poetry and spokenword performances.

• As part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe, theannual Hazelfest event is held on the HazelhurstEstate in Tooting which brings music,performance, arts and crafts to the community.The festival is run by the Work and PlayScrapstore, a charitable organisation based onthe estate which aims to reduce waste byreusing around 45 tonnes of waste each yearthrough community projects, volunteeringand arts.

• The RPO worked with residents at EdgecombeHall Estate to create a new community orchardon their estate in partnership with The OrchardProject, an organisation who help communitiesdevelop orchards to produce their own fruit. In2018, volunteers of all ages including estateresidents and members of the local AhmadiyyaMuslim Community Group came together toplant the trees.

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We will:

• Continue to encourage participation, particularly amongst harder to reach residentgroups who do not wish to be involved in the formal participation structures.

• Review the Housing Link programme with a focus on moving towardstransactional surveys.

• Work with Chelsea Football Club and where appropriate colleagues in Children’sServices to continue and expand programmes for both young people and older residents.

• Continue to support older residents to get involved in their local community byproviding a programme of activities within sheltered housing schemes and thework of the community development co-ordinators.

• Continue to reward participation to ensure residents feel appreciated for their inputand explore other options available, such as point-based systems and access toleisure facilities.

• Review the publicity of participation opportunities, including utilising Homelife toprovide updates on the action plan, promote participation activities and providefeedback from resident involvement.

• Continue to work with partner organisations to facilitate events and activitieson estates and ensure that residents get access to a range of cultural andsports events.

• The Department has supported the provision offree boxing sessions for young people on theHenry Prince Estate in partnership with EnableLeisure and Culture and Carney’s Community, alocal organisation with experience in deliveringsocial inclusion programmes. The Departmentprovides the use of a multi-use games area andcommunity clubroom to ensure the sessionsbenefit those in the local community.

• Estates in the Borough have partnered withGoodGym, an organisation who combinegetting fit with community projects. GoodGymvolunteers have visited the Wendlesworth Estateand Kambala Estate to help residents cleargardens and plant trees.

• The Doddington and Rollo Roof Garden is athriving community garden on the Doddingtonand Rollo Estate which was set up with supportfrom the RPO.

The space is used to deliver a host of communityevents, including a summer programme ofactivities for children. In 2017, the Doddingtonand Rollo Roof Garden partnered with localcharities Thrive and Paul’s Cancer Support Centreto provide a 10-week therapeutic gardeningcourse to local cancer patients and their carers.

• The Department has worked with the LondonSustainability Exchange who provided a series ofevents and plants for community gardens onestates across the Borough with a focus onplanting pollinators which would attract beesand other pollinating wildlife to the area.

• The Department secured a donation of plantsfrom the Wimbledon Foundation, the charity ofthe All England Lawn Tennis Club, for itscommunity gardening groups.

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ConsultationsArrangementsThe Housing and Regeneration Department has variousconsultation arrangements that are separate to it’s participationstructure as they require bespoke approaches to meet best practiceand statutory requirements.

The Council is committed to continuing to ensurethese are effective processes and encourageresidents to have their say.

Online consultationsThe Council also undertakes online publicconsultations where appropriate, for example whenimplementing and reviewing policies and strategies.These are in addition to consultation through theformal participation structures (i.e. BRF). The Counciluses a web-based consultation platform whichenables residents to respond quickly and easily.Public consultations are also available in paper formon request for those who cannot access an onlineversion. Public consultations will be promotedthrough publications such as Homelife or Brightsideand through the Council’s social media channels orwebsite. Where appropriate, partner agencies andkey stakeholders will be emailed with a notification ofthe online consultation. Furthermore, the Council isalso committed to setting up a ‘Get Involved Register’for residents who wish to get more involved with theDepartment and those who sign up to the registerand choose to be notified of public consultations willalso be emailed.

Major Works ConsultationThe Council has a statutory duty to consult withleaseholders on major works schemes11. In addition toleaseholder consultation, the Council believes it isimportant to consult with tenants and thereforecarries out a similar process with tenants. Whenschemes of major works are added to the Council’scapital programme, consultation takes place withboth tenants and leaseholders.

The consultation process is split into two stages andcomments are invited at both stages: the Notice ofIntention stage and the Section 20 stage. During theprocess, tenants and leaseholders are invited to adrop-in consultation meeting on the relevant estatewith Council officers. A team of Consultation Officersare responsible for running the consultation andreviewing feedback.

Consultation Arrangements forRegeneration and Council-ledDevelopmentBoth regeneration schemes and Council-leddevelopment are subject to bespoke forms ofconsultation with local residents and otherstakeholders. These arrangements are independentof the Council’s overall resident participationstructures for Council managed properties.

RegenerationThe Council is committed to ongoing and meaningfulengagement with residents in relation to large-scaleregeneration projects which last many years. Theengagement processes for the Council’sregeneration schemes on Winstanley/York RoadEstates and the Alton Estate are long term and eachstage of engagement is comprehensive. Theconsultation process begins by working withresidents to consider the various options and toascertain the appetite for different levels ofregeneration.

The Council is committed to giving residents a clearcommitment of rehousing and compensation at thestart of the process to ensure they have theconfidence to consider the range of options fully.

11 Section 20, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.Draft...


Consultation is a continuous process over the yearsand includes open-days, public meetings, on sitedrop-in centres, regular newsletters and surveys.

Council-led DevelopmentAs part of the Council’s approach to designing newhomes under the Council-led Developmentprogramme, “Housing for All”, it is committed toundertaking ongoing consultation with localresidents and other stakeholders in the area ofproposed development sites. Consultation begins inthe pre-planning stage and allows the Council toobtain vital input into the early design stages of theCouncil’s proposals. This predominantly takes the

form of local drop-in sessions which all affectedresidents are invited to attend or submit commentsin writing if they cannot attend. As schemesprogress, the Council, in its capacity as PlanningAuthority, will undertake a statutory planningconsultation and this will include ongoing updates tostakeholders. This may include ‘meet the contractor’events and regular newsletter updates fromcontractors working on development sites.Throughout the process, dedicated webpagesare kept up to date with summary information aswell as detailed plans, proposals, consultationmaterial and frequently asked questions aboutdevelopment schemes.

We will:

• Set up a regular piece in Homelife to notify residents when major works schemes areadded to the schedule of works.

• Review literature in relation to major works consultation to ensure that the scope andpurpose of the consultation is clear.

• Continue to ensure that affected residents are at the heart of planning decisionsregarding Council-led developments and regeneration.

The Council will meet its statutory obligations utilising a range of consultationmechanisms designed to engage all affected residents, including open days,public meetings, on-site offices, and regular updates via newsletters and theCouncil’s webpages.Draft...


Appendix 1

Resident Participation andConsultation StrategyAction Plan

Action Target datefor completion

Progress

Facilitate two focus groups peryear. Prioritise the followingtopics: housing webpages, RAaccreditation and major works.

On-going A focus group to discuss the Council’s AnnualReport to Residents was held in July 2019. A focusgroup to review the Housing Webpages will beorganised during 2019/20.

Review the RA Handbook througha readers’ panel.

April 2020 Following the publication of the Strategy, the RWGparticipants will take part in a readers’ panel toprovide feedback on the RA Handbook and ensureit is in line with the new Strategy.

Increase publicity in relation tothe HCC scheme and considerhow best to manage the schemeas it grows (i.e. budgetconsiderations).

November 2019 An article to publicise the scheme has beenincluded in the September edition of Homelife andthe Council will include a case study on HCCs infuture issues.

Review the Housing Linkprogramme and explore how theCouncil can use transactionalsurveys.

November 2019 A new programme of transactional surveys iscurrently being designed in conjunction with theCouncil’s contractor. This will enable theDepartment to capture satisfaction with specificservices as they are delivered and deal with anyissues in real-time. This will be reviewed throughoutits rollout to ensure that it effectively complementsthe existing STAR survey programme.

Review publicising ofparticipation opportunities,including what is featured inHomelife, on the Council’s websiteand social media channels.

April 2020 The Council will create branding to help publiciseresident involvement and will include a designatedpage in Homelife from December to provide anupdate on the Strategy and involvement matters.The Council will set up a focus group to seek viewson the Housing Webpages, including a review of thewebpages relating to resident involvement. Draft...


Action Target datefor completion

Progress

Organise an initial RA conference forearly 2020.

March 2020

Design a programme of training for RAsand explore options for e-learning.

March 2020 RPOs are scheduled to undertake Train theTrainer training in September 2019 afterwhich a programme of training will bedevised.

Implement changes to constitutions andformal structures.

November 2019

Provide additional support to RAsaffected by changes to constitutions tomeet accreditation criteria for 2020/21.

On-going

Set up a participation register andencourage residents to join.

September2020

Consider the feasibility of resident-led‘mystery shopping’ exercises to inspectestate conditions.

September2020

Conduct an annual poll of BRF memberson a set of topics to be considered duringthe year.

September2020

Set up a regular piece in Homelife tonotify residents when major worksschemes are added to the scheduleof works.

December 2019

Update the Council’s performancereports in line with recommendationsfrom the RWG.

September2020

Updates to the Area Housing Panel reportswill be taken to the AHPs inSeptember/October 2019. Updates to theAnnual Report will be incorporated in the2019/20 report ahead of the focus group.

Set up a process for AHP representativesto escalate items which they haverequested on the AHP agenda.

June 2020

Work with Chelsea Football Club tocontinue and expand the ChelseaKicks programme.

On-going

Explore other options available forrewarding participations, such aspoint-based systems and access toleisure facilities.

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Appendix 2

Statutory Powers andResponsibilitiesThe table below details the various legislative responsibilitiesplaced on local authorities in relation to resident participationand consultation.

Legislation Responsibility

Section 105, Housing Act 1985 Requires public sector landlords to have arrangements toinform and consult secure tenants who are likely to be“substantially affected” by certain matters of housingmanagement . This includes a requirement to publishdetails of the consultation arrangements and makethem available.

Section 137, Housing Act 1996 Local authorities which have introductory tenants have astatutory duty to consult them on certain matters ofhousing management.

Section 27, Housing Act 1985 (as amended bythe Regulatory Reform (Housing ManagementAgreements) Order 2003);

Entering into a management agreement with anotheragency to manage all or some of the housing stock.

Section 27BA (inserted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 18 ofthe Housing Act 1996) allows the Secretary of State tomake regulations to impose requirements to consulttenants or to consider representations made by tenantsregarding the exercise of their management functions.

Right to Manage Statutory Guidance (2013) Local authority tenants have had a statutory Right toManage since 1994. The regulations were introduced tomake it easier for residents to exercise their Right toManage by providing a clear process for aspiring TenantManagement Organisations.

Section 27AB, Housing Act 1985 (added bySection 132, Leasehold Reform Housing andUrban Development Act 1993)

Local authorities in England and Wales may enter into amanagement agreement with a tenant managementorganisation (TMO).

12 These are matters which in the landlord’s opinion relate to management, maintenance, improvement or demolition of dwellings let on secure tenancies orthe provision of services or amenities to such dwellings. Rents and service charges are specifically excluded from the definition.

Table 1: Statutory Responsibilities in Relation to Consultation and Participation

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Legislation Responsibility

Section 106A and Schedule 3A, Housing Act1985, as added by Section 6 of the Housingand Planning Act 1986

Voluntary disposal of local authority stock – localauthorities must consult secure tenants before disposingof their homes to a private landlord or a registeredsocial landlord.

Section 21, Housing Act 1985 and Section 111,Local Government Act 1972

Local authorities have the power to fund tenants’ groupson the basis that support to tenants’ groups is provided toassist and enable authorities to manage their housing

Section 429A, Housing Act 1985 (as insertedby Section 16, Housing and Planning Act 1986)

Availability of grants from the Secretary of State tofacilitate tenant participation.

Section 137, Local Government Act Local authorities may also incur expenditure which intheir opinion is in the interests of their area or any part ofit for all or some of its inhabitants.

Section 101 and 102, Local GovernmentAct 1972

Local authorities have powers under Section 101 todelegate functions to a committee, sub-committee officeror another local authority.. Section 102 provides thatpersons who are not elected members of the council maybe members of such sub-committees. Tenant members oncouncil committees and sub-committees are treated asnon-voting members by Section 13, Local Governmentand Housing Act 1989.

Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 Section 193 gives the Regulator of Social Housing thepower to set standards relating to consumer matters,including methods for consulting and informing tenantsand enabling tenants to influence or control themanagement of their accommodation or environment.The Regulator has issued the Tenant Involvement andEmpowerment Standard under this provision.

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ResidentParticipation and

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Documents

Resident Participation and Consultation€¦ · The Resident Participation and Consultation Strategy has been through a comprehensive consultation process to ensure that residents’