Issue - meetings

This report requests Members to consider proposals to revise the way suggestions are sought and decisions are made on the priorities for estate improvement grants each year

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to approve option 4.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON: To improve the way that the EOG budget is used ensuring that the suggested schemes meet identified local needs, create greater tenant and stakeholder involvement in setting out priorities and consulting with the local community.  The process will become more transparent, the priorities will have more strategic relevance and Resident Associations will have a more significant involvement.

Members considered a report that informed them of the proposals to revise the way suggestions are sought and decisions are made on the priorities for estate improvement grants each year.

Members were informed that each year the department goes through a process to determine how £170.000 should be spent in various council housing areas around the city.  The decision on how the budget for each area was prioritised had been adapted recently and Members were informed of the new initiatives. 

Officers stated that an extensive consultation both with residents through individual Residents Associations (RAs); discussions at the Federation and discussions with staff and other stakeholders such as Street Scene and Street Environment Officers had taken place and at the Federation meeting in August there was a significant majority that voted for Option 4:

Ø      Estate walkabout to draw up long-list of schemes (as in option 3) followed by public meeting for tenants run by RA, before which RA publishes its recommended shortlist of schemes. Tenants then vote for preferred schemes for funding, either at the public meeting or by postal vote. These schemes are then implemented, up to the agreed budget.

Members considered and discussed the options available and agreed that option 4 was the preferred option as this would offer residents most involvement and allow all council tenants who do not have Residents Associations (RA) in there areas to access the scheme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to approve option 4.

Option 4:

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON: To improve the way that the EOG budget is used ensuring that the suggested schemes meet identified local needs, create greater tenant and stakeholder involvement in setting out priorities and consulting with the local community.  The process will become more transparent, the priorities will have more strategic relevance and Resident Associations will have a more significant involvement.