The Committee received a presentation from Chris Matta and Molly Haines, members of the Building Cleaning Tenant Group, who updated the Committee on the work the Group had undertaken since they had last presented to the Committee in November 2017.  The Tenant Group had been set up in early 2016, and the group worked on an agreed action plan with support of council officers.  The Group was made up of six tenants, and several other tenants help with work such as block inspections.  Work in 2018 had included continuing to producing the tenant led newsletter, mystery shops and block inspections, considering feedback from a survey about the work of the group and the newsletter, and working on the new service level agreement for cleaning.  Work going forward would include monitoring the new cleaning standards and the new Service Level Agreement; continuing to carry out unannounced block inspections; and considering complaint information from tenants.

The Committee received a presentation from Veronica Klopper and Pat Watson, members of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel TACT (Tenants and Council Together), on the Fire Safety Review they had carried out.  TACT is made up of six tenants, who have all received training and had an independent mentor.  The Panel aimed to work with Housing Services to provide an independent check and challenge on the services provided.  TACT’s Fire Safety review had two objectives: the first was to investigate the approach to fire prevention in high rise blocks and the second was to look at the communications between housing services and tenants on fire safety and prevention.  TACT had carried out a desktop review, received a presentation from the principal building surveyor to explain the Council’s current approach to fire safety, they had also carried out a survey with tenants living in high rise and large blocks, interviewed staff from the Council, and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.  TACT had analysed all the data and had prepared a report for Council managers.  The report had made five recommendations and overall TACT had been impressed by the approach taken by the Council and the good relationship they had with the Fire Service.  The recommendations had been accepted and an action plan was being worked on.

Sue Timmins, a member of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel TACT (Tenants and Council Together) gave a presentation on the Social Housing Green Paper.  The Green Paper, realised by the Government in 2018, identified five core themes from the consultation that had taken place, these were: safe and decent homes; effective complaints handling; tenant empowerment and strengthening the regulator; tackling stigma; and expanding the supply of housing.  Sue talked through the comments that had been submitted in respect of the consultation on the Green Paper.  The government were currently considering the consultation results. 

Resolved –

(1)      That Chris, Molly, Veronica, Pat and Sue be thanked for their presentations;

(2)      That officers coordinate inviting members of the Committee to tenant housing inspections.