10 Challenge & Change Group Update PDF 198 KB
· Voids Process Review Completed Action Plan
· Review of Grounds Maintenance on Council Estates
· Future Review – Anti Social Behaviour (Verbal Update)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Tenant Engagement Officer presented the report to the Board.
As part of the Tenant Engagement Strategy, one of the ways in which tenants could engage with the Council was via the Challenge and Change Group (the ‘Group’).
The Group delivered the scrutiny function of the Tenant Engagement and Governance Structure (attached at Appendix 1).
The Group had completed a review of the void process in 2024. At its meeting April 2025, the Board had been presented with the Void Process Review Monitoring Action Plan. One action was to carry out site visits to monitor completion of works and ensure the lettable standard was being met – these site visits had taken place 12th June 2025.
7 Tenants had attended site visits to: 3 void properties; 2 standard voids; and 1 refurbished flat. Tenants had agreed on the following:
· The standard of voids had improved;
· The lettable standard was being met;
· The 2 standard voids were eligible for full redecoration allowance; and,
· The standard of finish was of a “typical Council standard”.
The Ground Maintenance Review had taken place June 2024 – March 2025 (across 6 meetings and 1 day of site visits).
Tenants had chosen to review Grounds Maintenance (provided by Streetscene) due to concerns on the quality of the service, and whether void gardens were being maintained (to the required standard) and the negative impact non-maintenance could have on neighbourhoods.
A site visit to 3 new build schemes, 2 existing estates with communal open spaces, and 2 void properties were made to assess the standard of Grounds Maintenance.
Tenants had looked at the different areas of Ground Maintenance, reviewed work schedules, and sought clarification on how the service adjusted when impacted by weather.
Tenants had agreed recommendations across 4 areas:
· Clarification of responsibilities for both tenants and the Council;
· Clarification of the current maintenance programme and potential factors which could impact planned works;
· Evaluation of the quality of maintenance works and how this was assessed by the service; and,
· Analysis of Complaints related to Grounds Maintenance and action taken.
The final report from the review for the Board’s attention was attached at Appendix 2.
The Tenant Engagement Officer circulated the Review of Grounds Maintenance on Council Estates Action Plan (attached appendix 3).
The Board was informed the next review would be on Anti-Social Behaviour – a review scope would be discussed at the Group’s next meeting.
RESOVLED that the Board note the recommendations of the Bolsover Tenants Challenge and Change Group in relation to the site visits for the voids review and the Grounds Maintenance on Council Estates.