Agenda item - Residents Question Time

Responses to items raised at the Tenant Only Meeting held on 6 August 2015 (copy attached as ‘blue pages’).

12.1    (Item 1 - Super Area Panels) In response to Tomm Nyhuus, the Resident Involvement Manager explained that another Super Area Panel may be arranged, depending on the reports that need to be discussed.

12.2    (Item 3 - Reinstatement of Housing Management Consultative sub-Committee) Barry Hughes and Charles Penrose had a counter response to the Head of Income Involvement & Improvement. Barry Hughes expressed to the panel that they believed it would be negligent to turn down a considerable resource of voluntary talent and knowledge from the residents.

12.3    It was expressed that The Special Interest Groups used Housing Management Consultative sub-Committee (HMCSC) as a conduit to put forward proposals to Housing Committee. In addition to this, Barry Hughes and Charles Penrose did not believe that since HMCSC was abolished, that “tenants are effectively represented”.

12.4    Barry Hughes and Charles Penrose formally requested to the Panel that the HMCSC is re-instated, as it would be a useful Committee to provide a citywide perspective. The Area Panel representatives agreed for the proposal to go forward to Housing & New Homes Committee for consideration.

12.5    In response to Tomm Nyhuus, Barry Hughes explained that he believed that resident’s voices were not being heard enough from area housing panels and that there is no direct contact with the Councillors at the Committee. Charles Penrose added that it would be an opportunity to meet the Councillors that sit on the Housing & New Homes Committee as Councillors are often unavailable to attend the Area Housing Panels.

12.6    The Head of Income Involvement & Improvement explained to the Panel that money was not the only reason HMCSC was abolished; however, it is still a problem for the Council. It was added that the Council does regularly review the committee structure and how can things be improved and how to save money.

12.7    The Chair suggested to the Panel that an additional agenda item could be discussed at the next Area Housing Panel regarding the budget with social housing and encourage discussion around council rent.

12.8    RESOLVED – The Panel agreed for the proposal of re-instating the Housing Management Consultative sub-Committee to be presented at the Housing & New Homes Committee.