Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

To endorse the approach of a Tenants Charter for the tenants within the Council’s housing stock portfolio and receive a draft proposed Charter for approval at a future meeting of the Executive.

To receive a further report to update Executive on the engagement of Registered Social Landlords and Private Landlords.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve the drafting of a Tenants Charter. The Tenants Charter will set out a new service standard that all tenants can expect to receive from the Council whilst they are living within properties the Council manages. This Charter will be developed in consultation with our tenants.

1.2         To note that as part of the drafting and future adoption of the Charter, the Council and its Officers engage with Registered Social Landlords and Private Landlords to seek improvements in the services that they are providing to their residents in Cherwell.

Resolved

(1)           That the drafting of a Tenants Charter, which will set out a new service standard that all tenants can expect to receive from the Council whilst they are living within properties the Council manages and will be developed in consultation with our tenants, be approved.

(2)           That it be noted that as part of the drafting and future adoption of the Charter, the Council and its Officers will engage with Registered Social Landlords and Private Landlords to seek improvements in the services that they are providing to their residents in Cherwell.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report to endorse the approach of a Tenants Charter for the tenants within the Council’s housing stock portfolio and to agree to receive a draft proposed Charter for approval at a future meeting of the Executive. The report also sought agreement to receive a further report to update Executive on the engagement of Registered Social Landlords and Private Landlords.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Woodcock addressed the meeting and advised that he did not support the proposal as it did not reflect the motion he had submitted to the 19 December 2022 Council meeting.

In response to Councillor Woodcock’s address, the Portfolio Holder for Housing advised he disagreed with the comments and explained that the whole district, not just the council’s tenants, would benefit in line with the motion that had been agreed by Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the drafting of a Tenants Charter, which will set out a new service standard that all tenants can expect to receive from the Council whilst they are living within properties the Council manages and will be developed in consultation with our tenants, be approved.

(2)          That it be noted that as part of the drafting and future adoption of the Charter, the Council and its Officers will engage with Registered Social Landlords and Private Landlords to seek improvements in the services that they are providing to their residents in Cherwell.

Reasons

Further to the Motion at Council on 19 December 2022, the Tenants Charter will be implemented during 2023 for Cherwell District Council tenants.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to bring forward a Tenants Charter.

This option would be contrary to a Motion from Council

Option 2: To bring forward a Tenants Charter for all tenants in Cherwell, regardless of their landlord

This option would not be practical. It is up to the landlord to manage their own tenancies in accordance with the contractual relationships they have with their own tenants. The Council can instead look to encourage and influence good practice within the District and enforce poor practice where legally necessary.