Draft minutes

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John Gittos

RESOLVED – The minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd July 2020 were passed as a true record.

IM presented the Board with an update on the current work of the Tenant Engagement team, and specifically how the service has responded during Covid-19. The Council as a whole had to respond and adapt quickly to provide support to the most vulnerable residents as well as continue to provide essential services.  However, with restrictions easing there is now a process of re-mobilising those services that we hadn’t been able to carry out, such as lettings and non-emergency repairs. Services are being re-introduced on a priority basis subject to new safety measures, and there is a backlog of work which will take a number of months to clear and for services to return to normal.

There has naturally been a financial impact as a result of Covid-19, with details still being worked out as to how the Council can meet the financial challenges required.

During the lockdown, Housing staff have been contacting residents identified as vulnerable (60+ and Retirement LIFE tenants) including the Tenant Engagement Team who were supporting making welfare calls to Retirement LIFE tenants across the city.

Physical meetings with tenants have been unable to take place, and combined with the pressure on resources, has meant we have had to find other ways to involve and engage with tenants and residents – such as using Skype and Zoom.

Regular HAP meetings are now taking place for all area panels, and feedback has been widely positive from panel members and ward members alike. Online HAP meetings are more convenient for many of those with busy schedules and as a result some attendance rates have increased. The online requirement has encouraged HAP members to improve their online skills and in some cases to use these online platforms for the very first time which will benefit their engagement and social inclusion going forwards.

To support the council wide effort, HAPs are prioritising the funding of applications that help local community and third sector organisations in their response to Covid-19. To date, HAPs across the city have supported 50 projects, 30 of which have are directly Covid-19 related. To encourage newer groups, and to remove any potential barriers to accessing funding, HAPs have instigated a simpler application form for projects up to £500 to help ensure local tenants and residents can easily and quickly apply.  Applications are also being accepted by video, for example Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) has brought their work to life in a way that a regular form could not capture.

Action: Share the link to the DAZL HAP application video.

TARAs continue to be supported, with a number embracing digital methods to communicate with their residents. The team are taking a flexible approach in terms of the normal process and requirements related to TARA support grants.  The service are also starting to review the support generally for TARA’s and community groups, and to understand what future support groups may find most useful.  For example, can we offer more information about asset based approaches as part of an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

The next zoom meeting is scheduled for Friday 31^st July at 12:45 for a 1.00pm start