Issue - meetings

To agree to the adoption of the Charter of Principles following detailed feedback on resident consultation.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the overwhelming support (around 90%) for the 6 pledges and therefore agreed to the adoption of the Charter of Principles as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be noted.

2.  That it be noted that over 2000 residents responded to this consultation and that the vast majority of these were council tenants and leaseholders/homeowners. The size and representativeness of the sample gives a high level of confidence that the findings of the engagement exercise reflect the views held by the majority of our residents.

3.  That it be noted that consultation took place with both the formal consultation structures of Tenant and Homeowners Council, Area Housing Forums and more broadly with those not engaged in these formal structures.  Cabinet therefore agrees to reaffirm its commitment to engaging as widely as possible with residents as the 11,000 new homes programme progresses.  Officers are to continue to consult through the formal tenant and homeowner structures and in other ways to ensure that those who are not engaged in the formal structures are able and encouraged to get involved.

4.  That it be noted that about 20% also left more detailed feedback as summarised in paragraphs 32 to 40 below.  In response to that feedback cabinet therefore tasks officers to put in place the following:

·  A system of review of the operation of the charter of principles annually, through existing representative groups and other residents who have been involved.

·  Ongoing involvement of the Futures Steering Board made up of representatives of Tenant Council and Homeowners Council in the development of the engagement activity as it progresses.

·  A proactive communication strategy that seeks to address some of the frequently asked questions that have arisen through the consultation, clarifies what we mean when we use terms such as “affordability” and “regeneration”, and tackles some of the misinformation and misapprehension.

5.  That it be noted that 36% of respondents (almost 700 people) expressed an interest in continuing to be involved.  Cabinet therefore tasks officers to develop a plan to ensure that those who have expressed a wish to be involved are integrated into the next phases of the consultation programme.

6.  That it be noted that this is only the first stage of consultation, and only concerns the principles upon which a broader consultation programme will be based.  The next stage of the consultation, on the borough-wide principles for the 11,000 homes programme, will start in January 2015.

7.  That a commitment to building 11,000 new council homes, alongside improving the quality of all of its existing housing stock be reaffirmed.

8.  That these 11,000 council homes will be new and additional to our existing stock of council housing be confirmed.