New strategy in Perth & Kinross involves tenants in housing services.

A fresh plan aiming to engage as many Perth and Kinross Council tenants as possible in their housing services is on track to be approved. The Tenant and Resident Participation (TRP) Strategy for 2024-27 has been collaboratively developed with council tenants and Housing staff to facilitate tenants’ involvement in shaping decisions that impact them, at a comfortable level.

The council is legally obligated to manage Housing Services in a manner that facilitates easy participation for tenants and other customers in decision-making processes. Tenant involvement is crucial to ensuring the continuous provision of high-quality services that cater to people’s wants and needs.

Agreed upon with tenants are four key strategic priorities for participation:

• Creating a culture of tenant participation across staff and tenants.
• Improving communication and keeping tenants informed of decisions that affect them.
• Ensuring everyone has a say in housing decisions that matter to them.
• Empowering tenants and communities to lead in enhancing neighbourhoods and places.

To support these priorities, a range of participation opportunities have been outlined to encourage tenants to engage in various ways. These opportunities include participating in online consultations, attending events either physically or virtually, joining scrutiny groups, or simply communicating with staff through dedicated social media channels for tenants.

The Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee is scheduled to approve the updated TRP Strategy on Wednesday 2nd October.

Committee vice convener, Councillor Sheila McCole, highlighted the importance of collaborating closely with tenants and eliminating barriers to ensure everyone can voice their opinions on the services provided and suggest areas for improvement.

McCole further stated, “This new Strategy will embed participation in every aspect of the Housing Service’s work, amplifying tenants’ voices.

“The outlined approach will offer tenants a diverse range of participation opportunities, from simple engagements like completing surveys from home, to involvement in meetings examining the intricacies of our Housing Revenue Account. The strategy allows tenants to engage and influence services at a level that suits them.

“I urge all our tenants to participate in any way possible to ensure they have a say in critical decisions that impact them.”