A report requesting approval for the implementation of a Council wide Tenant Accessibility Policy in response to the new Consumer Standards introduced by the Regulator for Social Housing set out in the Transparency, Influence & Accountability Standard.

The Committee received a report requesting approval for the implementation of a Council-wide Tenant Accessibility Policy in response to the new Consumer Standards introduced by the Regulator for Social Housing set out in the Transparency, Influence & Accountability Standard. The Tenant Accessibility Policy was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the Tenant Accessibility Policy aimed to ensure that tenants had equal access to the Council’s services and that their diverse needs were addressed. The Policy was designed to ensure that all tenants, regardless of their background, abilities, or personal circumstances, had equal and meaningful access to the Council’s Housing and Landlord services, recognised the diversity of the community and affirmed the Council’s commitment to inclusivity by actively identifying and addressing barriers that might prevent individuals from engaging with services. The report noted that accessibility was not limited to physical access, but encompassed communication, digital inclusion, cultural sensitivity, and the adaptability of services to meet a wide range of needs. The Policy aimed to create an environment where every tenant felt seen, heard, and supported by providing information in multiple formats and languages, offering support for tenants with disabilities and designing services that were intuitive and user-friendly.

Resolved:

(1)           That the Tenant Accessibility Policy 2025 be approved for implementation across the Council as outlined in Appendix 1;

(2)      That the ambition to work with external partners and contractors, including the commissioned PFI, in supporting the Council’s tenants to adopt the principles of the Policy be endorsed.