The Resident Scrutiny Network was developed from a joint TEG project initially comprising of four landlords – Newydd Housing Association, Monmouthshire Housing Association, Bron Afon Housing Association and Newport City Homes.
Newydd Housing Association had successfully set up a scrutiny group and through discussions with other local landlords and tenants groups, it became apparent that learning from other organisations would provide real opportunities and benefits. Interested landlords were invited to join and an application was made for TEG funding with the support of the four founding members.
The Scrutiny Network agreed its terms of reference and aims and objectives as well as meeting schedules. The terms of reference were developed by tenants and representatives of member landlords. The setting of meeting dates and agreeing the host landlord was important to provide a clear structure and way forward. Future meetings will be hosted by landlords on a rotational basis. It was agreed that the administration and chairing of meetings would be the responsibility of the hosting landlord.
The aims of the project were to
• Create a South Wales network of registered social landlords and local authority tenants’ scrutiny groups who were willing to share experiences and learn from others
• Explore how this network could become self-sustaining and meet on a regular basis to share ideas
• Capture experiences from tenants and landlords from the work of established scrutiny groups
• Encourage best practice among and between scrutiny groups across Wales
• Draw upon good practice and experiences from outside Wales.
The key events were:
• Agreeing terms of reference
• Establishing meeting protocols and format
• Provide an opportunity for landlords to share good practice
• Create a website for promoting the network and good practice
• Focused meetings allowing specific topics (areas for scrutiny) to be discusses
• Recruiting new members
• Links made with Welsh Regulation Team and attendance at meeting
• Guest speakers from within Wales and beyond – to share experiences
• Article in Welsh Housing Quarterly publicising and promoting the network across Wales.
The project has seen the network grow and it continues to attract new interest from other landlords within South Wales. During the last 12 months, the numbers of organisations attending meetings has also increased. Members of the Scrutiny Network now include:
• Bron Afon Community Housing
• Newport City Homes
• Hafod
• Charter
• Cadwyn
• Valleys to Coast
• Tai Calon
• Newport Housing Trust
• Monmouthshire Housing Association
• Newydd
• Family Housing Association
• NPT Homes
The Scrutiny Network operates as an independent group with support from member landlords. It has been interesting and informative to look at the different approaches to resident scrutiny by different landlords and it is clear that local circumstances and resident involvement structures require a local approach. It has also been extremely useful to share experiences and good practice through the setting up of new scrutiny groups.
A website was created to promote the Scrutiny Network and its work and share good practice. It was agreed that the website should provide a useful opportunity for the sharing of resources and information
The Scrutiny Network is very much tenant led. Tenants give presentations at meetings on how they scrutinise their housing services. This generates discussion across the group with input from landlords as well as the scrutiny groups. It is expected that the Scrutiny Network will continue to grow and provide opportunities for information sharing, policy sharing and networking opportunities within the social housing sector in Wales and beyond.
Lynsey Hargreaves of NPT Homes says: ‘The Wales Scrutiny Network provides an excellent opportunity for landlords delivering tenant scrutiny and members of their scrutiny panels, to create working relationships inside and outside of meetings, and to share best practice. Being part of the network has benefited NPT Homes vastly in ensuring our scrutiny arrangements are fit for purpose.’
For more information please Newydd Housing Association – Tongwynlais, Ty Cadarn, 5 Village Way, Tongwynlais CF15 7NE