Tenant Scrutiny Panel - previous Meeting Minutes
Tenant Scrutiny Panel Meeting - Tuesday 6 October 2026 Minutes
Present:
- Julie Hood, Housing Equalities and Engagement Facilitator
- Andrew Bebbington, Housing Strategy Manager
- D. McLaren, tenant
- S. Scott, tenant
- A. Robshaw, tenant
- G. Mountford, tenant
Apologies:
- E. Middleton, tenant
- R. Dobson, tenant
Stephen welcomed everyone to the meeting. Introductions were made.
- Minutes and matters arising
- Rent Convergence and Increases
- Tenant Scrutiny Panel Conference
- Mystery Shopping Scripts
- Housing Management Officers
- Action Plan
- Any Other Business
- Next Meeting
Minutes and matters arising
The minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting.
The following were actions at the last meeting:
- Consultation on the term ‘tenant’ to be brought to the meeting once concluded.
Outcome: Consultation sent with the papers for this meeting. - Independent Living Community Visual Survey of Communal Areas survey to be sent to Senior Managers.
Outcome: Response received.
Honeysuckle House and Alex Lyon House have not received the communal area refurbishment works that had been anticipated and, as a result, these schemes will be prioritised once a refurbishment programme is agreed and commences. Following this, the order of priority identified through the Tenant Scrutiny Panel's visual survey report will be used to inform the programme.
Unfortunately, we are not currently able to commit to the year in which individual schemes will be refurbished as this will depend on the programme being developed and approved. However, the survey findings will directly inform future investment decisions.
We would like to thank the Tenant Scrutiny Panel and ILC residents for the considerable time, effort, and professionalism that went into producing this report. The work has provided valuable evidence to support future improvements to our Independent Living Communities.
All tenants of Independent Living Communities have received a letter letting them know. - Mystery Shopping, People Scrutiny Councillors would like an update when completed.
Outcome: Not completed. - Link to the Tenant and Leasehold Annual Report to be sent once it is on the website.
Outcome: Link sent. - Refreshments for the Tenant Scrutiny Panel Conference to be ordered.
Outcome: Ordered. - Rent Convergence and Increases to be included on the agenda for October.
Outcome: On the agenda. Andrew Bebbington, Housing Policy Manager invited to discuss the item. - Graduate starting at the end of September to be invited to the November meeting.
Outcome: Invited, once they have settled into their role. - Assistant Director Assessment day for candidates. Job description to be sent to those who have agreed to take part. Meeting to discuss the session to be arranged.
Outcome: Job description sent. Meeting arranged.
Rent Convergence and Increases
Andrew Bebbington, Housing Strategy Manager
Andrew introduced himself and explained that rent convergence is allowed by the Government but is not mandatory.
It is a Social Housing Policy that aims to bring rents charged for similar social rented properties in line with a standard ‘Formula Rent’ (formerly known as ‘Target Rent’).
The proposal is that a rent increase of £1 per week above the standard increase of Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1% for the first year, which could rise to £2 per week during 2028/29.
Homes with rent already at Formula Rent cap would not see a rise.
Tenants whose rent is covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit would see the increase fully covered.
The additional income would be used to invest in our homes and services for tenants. The government has recognised that this investment is needed to ensure all council homes are at a good standard and to take account of recent Regulator obligations.
The Tenant Scrutiny Panel members thought that the increase would be acceptable. They asked that tenants are given the information about what the extra £295,000 income is spent on.
The information loop should include different ways of presenting the information, e.g. written documents and videos.
Priorities for the spend should be house building and retrofit, efficient forms of heating, insulation etc.
A question was raised about using the HRA to fund a University project on ground source heat pumps that will provide free energy for all social housing tenants.
Action: Julie to find out if this is possible
Action: Andrew to recommend that if the rent convergence increase is implemented, communications are planned for tenants on the use of the extra income.
Tenant Scrutiny Panel Conference
Room at Hazel Court booked for Tuesday 13 October.
The day will start at 9.30am and finish about 3.30pm Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Programme:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.30am | Refreshments. Welcome S. Scott |
| 9.35am | Introduction to the day Paul Hester, Head of Building Services Fiona Brown, Head of Strategy and Performance (Interim) |
| 10.00am | Empty properties – the process Hannah Whiate, Planning Officer |
| 11.00am | Refreshments |
| 11.15am | Home Improvement Programme Steve Aston, Investment Manager |
| 12 midday | Lunch |
| 1.00pm | Repairs, Customer Service Operatives Joe McGill, Customer Support and Planning Team Leader |
| 3.00pm | Round up and final thoughts Julie Hood, Housing Equalities and Engagement Facilitator |
| 3.30pm | Finish |
The above programme was agreed.
Action: Julie to order food after asking for dietary requirements.
Mystery Shopping Scripts
Awaiting a response from Senior Managers.
Housing Management Officers
At the recent Performance Panel meeting, the Panel were looking at complaints. They noted that Housing Management complaints seem very low, bearing in mind what the Panel hear from neighbours, family, and friends.
This raised the following:
- Do tenants know what service to expect from their Housing Management Officer?
- Do tenants know how to complain about the service they receive from their Housing Management Officer? To put it right before a formal complaint is made
- What do you do if you don’t get on with your Housing Management Officer?
- Housing Management Officers used to be very visible, now you never see one at all.
Tenant Scrutiny Panel agreed that these questions should form the basis of questions to the Head of Housing.
It was also agreed that the Head of Housing should be invited to the next Tenant Scrutiny Panel Conference (March 2027 at West Offices) to discuss the Housing Management Officer role and when the refurbishments at the Independent Living Communities will begin.
Action All members to think of any other areas of discussion in respect of the Housing Management Officer role.
Action Plan
To be updated.
Any Other Business
Communal Space Policy
This now includes internal and external spaces. The Panel were asked if they would give their thoughts and feedback on this Policy. The Panel agreed to review this at their meeting in November
Mobility Scooter Policy
Tenant Scrutiny Panel members were asked to give their views and feedback on this Policy. The Panel agreed to include this on the agenda for their December meeting.
Training Policy
This is an integral part of the Regulatory Competence and Conduct Standard which came into force on 1 October. The Panel were asked if they would give their thoughts and views on the Policy.
As this Policy needs to be reviewed quickly, it was agreed to hold a Task & Finish Group meeting on Tuesday 27 October, 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams to discuss it.
Action: Julie to send the Policy via email and post. Meeting to be arranged.
Next Meeting
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 6.30pm via Microsoft Teams
Agenda items for the next meeting:
- Conference
- Mystery Shopping Scripts
- Training Policy
- Communal Space Policy
- Satisfaction Data
Also see