New North And South Panels To Give Havering Council Tenants Greater Say
Separate resident panels are to be created for council tenants in the north and south of Havering under a new three-year engagement strategy.
Cabinet approved the Housing Tenant Engagement Strategy for 2026 to 2029 at its meeting on Wednesday 16 September.
Havering Council manages more than 9,300 properties and says tenants should have a greater role in shaping and scrutinising the housing services they receive.
The council currently has a panel covering the whole borough. Officers said separate north and south panels would make it easier to identify different priorities in different areas.
The changes also come as the authority prepares for an inspection under the strengthened regulation of social housing.
Officers said residents’ comments would be recorded through a “you said, we did” approach, showing what tenants had raised and what action the council had taken in response.
The strategy includes an ambition to provide a “right first time” service for housing repairs. Contractors will be monitored against performance measures including whether repairs are completed on the first visit and whether residents are kept informed.
Councillors raised concerns that consultation can leave residents disappointed when discussions do not lead to visible action. They asked for decisions, commitments and outstanding work to be properly logged and made available for scrutiny.
Housing officers said meeting minutes and “you said, we did” information would be publicly available. The council will also consider how tenant engagement could be reported periodically to a scrutiny board.
Events and consultations will be rotated around the borough and tailored using information about local communities. Areas with more families could receive family-focused activities, while locations with higher numbers of older or isolated residents could receive different support.
Digital-skills sessions are also being offered to help residents use email, communicate with the council and report repairs online. Housing officers, scheme officers and estate officers will continue to provide assistance to those who need it.
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