Item 15 - Appendix 2
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 November 2024
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 20 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Assessment No 1084 Owner JMACK Resource Regeneration, Environment and Growth Service Housing and Employment FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer Jane Mack Snr Housing Development Officer (Tenant Participation) Members Stefan Kristmanns, Housing Development Co-Ordinator (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title Involving You - Tenant Participation Strategy 2025-28 The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy The Strategy sets out the Council's commitment to developing effective consultation and participation to improve and develop its housing services. It sets out how the Council will provide information, consult with tenants, future tenants and other service users, use their views and work with tenants so that they can influence and hold the Council to account. An action plan to support the Strategy is included along with information on how the Strategy will be monitored and reviewed. The Strategy includes a commitment to equal opportunities and to comply with all Equality and Human Right legislation. With regard to tenant consultation and participation, we promote inclusive approaches and work in ways that are appropriate to different people and differing needs within our communities to minimise any barriers that tenants may experience and empower all tenants to have their say. Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. All tenants and members of the following group - the West Dunbartonshire Tenants & Residents Organisations, Tenant & Residents Associations, Scrutiny Panel, Sheltered Housing Forum and Interested Tenant Register, as well as housing staff and TPAS. Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? No If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. No SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) No Who will be affected by this policy? All current WDC tenants, future tenants (e.g. homeless clients, housing waiting list applicants) and residents in areas where there is an active Tenant & Resident Association (TRA). Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? All tenants and members of the WDTRO, Tenant & Residents Associations, Scrutiny Panel, Sheltered Housing Forum, Interested Tenant Register, housing staff and TPAS. ITEM 15 - APPENDIX 2
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age To make sure all ages are represented in tenant participation activities The Council has an Equality Outcome on increasing participation of younger people. Actions included to help encourage younger people to get involved by improving digital options. Transport, use of accessible buildings for meetings, LOOP facilities, crèche are provided to help all tenants get involved. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to age preventing someone getting involved. Disability Council services need to be accessible to disabled people including in terms of information and communication. To make sure disabled tenants are represented in tenant participation activities The Council has an Equality Outcome on increasing participation of disabled people. We provide a range of options to get involved to suit different individual needs and circumstances. Transport provision, use of accessible buildings for meetings, LOOP facilities are all provided to help tenants get involved. Actions are also included to link in with local disability groups to raise awareness of tenant rights to participate and development of digital options to assist involvement from home. Approximately 50% of those of responded to the online survey identified as disabled. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to disability preventing someone getting involved. Gender Reassign To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. We provide a range of participation options and promote inclusive participation. Positive and will increase representation in participation. Marriage & Civil Partnership To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. We provide a range of participation options and promote inclusive participation. Positive and will increase representation in participation. Pregnancy & Maternity To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. We provide crèche facilities at public events. Timing of meeting are set to avoid school pick-up and drop off times as well as avoiding school holidays. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to child care preventing someone getting involved. Race To enable access to housing information and tenant participation activities particularly where English is not the first language The Council has an equality outcome on ‘better meet the accommodation needs of Gypsy/Travellers’ The Council has an Equality Outcome on increasing participation of BME people. We ensure that relevant information about translation is on all public documents and consultation information to suit tenants . Use of interpreters provided when necessary for public meetings. TRAs can also use translation services when required. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to race preventing someone getting involved.
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Religion and Belief As individuals of some beliefs/faiths require to worship on particular days they may not be able to attend meetings/appointments. We ensure that due consideration is given to those with religious requirements when arranging meetings and offer dietary options. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to religion or belief preventing someone getting involved. Sex To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. Women are more likely to have care responsibilities for children and others than men. We provide a range of participation options and promote inclusive participation. Options to dip in and out are available and development of digital options will also give more flexibility to fit in with any care responsibilities. Positive and will increase representation in participation. Sexual Orientation To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. Provide a range of participation options and promote inclusive participation. Positive and will increase representation in participation. Human Rights The Human Rights Act recognises the right to have people's housing needs met. Housing is particularly relevant in terms of Article 8 private and family life and home. The UNCRC is relevant in terms of participation for 16 and 17 year old tenants. Provide a range of participation options and promote tenant rights. Positive and will increase representation in participation. Health To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. The Strategy promotes the positive impact on personal health and wellbeing that can be gained from participation. Options to dip in and out are available to accommodate ill health and development of digital options will also give more flexibility to fit in with any health issues. Positive and will reduce any barriers due to health preventing someone getting involved. Social & Economic Impact To make sure all tenants are represented in tenant participation activities. The Strategy is designed to be inclusive and promotes the personal as well as community benefits of volunteering and getting involved. Positive and social and economic impact will be increased by tenant empowerment. Cross Cutting The TP Strategy applies to all tenants so may cross cut all the associated needs of the EIA. The Strategy is designed to be inclusive and to increase all tenant participation in decision making. Positive and will increase representation in decision-making.
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Actions
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Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. No negative impacts identified. Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? Yes the Strategy will be subject to continuous review through regular monitoring of the action plan on Pentana as well as being reported bi-monthly at the WDC/WDTRO Liaison meetings and an annual update presented to Housing & Communities Committee. Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Intoduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1084: The updated Tenant Participation Strategy aim is to develop and improve tenant participation and ensure that participation is meaningful and inclusive for all tenants. This will particularly benefit some protected groups, for example women, disabled people, younger people and people from minority ethnic groups, with a range of participation activities provided to meet a range of needs and circumstances. The Strategy also focuses on ensuring good clear communication practices and empowering all tenants to challenge and be involved in improving services for all tenants. There will be an overall benefit to all tenants, future tenants and residents of West Dunbartonshire and the implementation of the TP Strategy will continue to support all of the Council’s key strategic priorities.