URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1997

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval of the new Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, which sets out how the Council will ensure it engages with its tenants and leaseholders in a meaningful way that ensures the Council is: compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing`s Consumer Standards; open and accountable to the needs of our tenants/leaseholders; and giving genuine opportunities for Council tenants/leaseholders to shape the services they receive.   The strategy will also help the Council to meet both the communication and responsibility pledges in the ‘Together with Tenants Charter’.

Content: To seek Cabinet approval of the new Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, which sets out how the Council will ensure it engages with its tenants and leaseholders in a meaningful way that ensures the Council is: compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing`s Consumer Standards; open and accountable to the needs of our tenants/leaseholders; and giving genuine opportunities for Council tenants/leaseholders to shape the services they receive.   The strategy will also help the Council to meet both the communication and responsibility pledges in the ‘Together with Tenants Charter’. Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy and Housing concerning the Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy for 2025-30 which aimed to further enhance the Council’s approach to listening to and working with the Council`s tenants and leaseholders.   Cabinet noted that, following the Cabinet approval on the 12th August 2025, the implementation of the approved models for future delivery of Council Housing would be 1st April 2026 and, whilst the focus would need to be ensuring an effective and compliant service was delivered, this would be an opportunity for tenants and leaseholders to shape services as it evolved within Council structures and to better meet the needs of residents, as set out in 4.3 of the report.   This strategy aimed to ensure tenants and leaseholders were placed at the heart of the Council`s housing service, setting out how they would have a clear role in shaping and scrutinising services that ensured the best outcomes for tenants and leaseholders and the communities in which they lived. This also supported the Council’s aims to listen positively, develop ways to measure and evaluate engagement and to show correlation between involvement and improved performance.   Visiting Members: Councillor Martin Loftus spoke in relation to the item.   Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways.   Cabinet welcomed the strategy and the way in which this had been co-produced between the Council, tenants and Leaseholders which made the strategy more appealing, accessible and worthwhile for residents. It also encouraged a wide range of tenants to be proactive in sharing their views and issues. Members acknowledged that it is vital that the Council were seen to be listening to residents and they are put at the heart of Council strategy.   Members acknowledged that ForHousing continued to be a partner of the Council at present and collaborative working with them would ensure a better transition in April 2026.   Members noted that Councillor Warner was described as the Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities and Chair of the Council Housing Management Board, and that this was incorrect as Councillor Bingham now had the portfolio for Safer Communities. Members asked that the report was amended to reflect this and that future reports displayed the correct title for Councillor Warner.      DECIDED:    That   the Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy 2025-2030 be approved.   Reason for Decision   The Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy 2025-2030 (the Strategy) is available in appendix 1 and describes how the Council and its strategic housing partner ForHousing will place tenants and leaseholders at the heart of decision making.   Alternative Options   An option is not to have a Council Housing Tenant/Leaseholder Engagement Strategy. However, this option is not recommended for the following reasons:-   -       Although it is not a legal requirement to have a strategy, it is considered by the Regulator of Social Housing as best practice to have a strategic document that details how the Council will place its tenants and leaseholders at the heart of everything it does whilst also setting out how tenants and leaseholders can engage with the Council to ensure housing management services are tenant led and focused.

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025