Agenda item - BCP Homes Governance review, Resident Engagement and Communications Strategy and Resident Engagement for High-Rise Buildings Strategy

This report presents the findings from the BCP Homes Governance Review and outlines an action plan aimed at enhancing the assurance, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of the council’s housing management services, collectively as BCP Homes.

The review highlights the importance of strong governance and resident engagement in social housing management. Key recommendations include strengthening the integration and oversight of the Advisory Board, developing a comprehensive resident engagement strategy, and establishing a formalised assurance framework.

The Resident Engagement and Communication Strategy, along with the Resident Engagement for High-Rise Buildings Strategy, are central to this plan. These strategies aim to empower residents, improve communication, and ensure that residents' voices are heard and valued. The successful implementation of these strategies will be instrumental in achieving high standards of service and engagement, marking a significant milestone in BCP Homes' journey towards excellence.

The report also includes a detailed delivery plan for the implementation of these strategies, ensuring that the council meets regulatory requirements and addresses residents' needs effectively. The strategies are designed to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and active resident participation, ultimately enhancing the overall governance framework of BCP Homes.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a) approved the Governance Review Implementation Action Plan at appendix 2;

(b) approved the Resident Engagement and Communications Strategy at appendix 3 and associated delivery plan at appendix 4; and

(c) approved the Resident Engagement for High Rise Buildings Strategy at appendix 5.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

The recommendations for Cabinet approval are based on the findings and action plans outlined in the BCP Homes Governance Review. These recommendations are crucial for enhancing governance, transparency, and accountability within BCP Homes, ensuring regulatory standards are met and residents' needs are effectively addressed.

(i) Governance Review Implementation Action Plan (Appendix 2): This plan addresses key recommendations from the Governance Review, aiming to strengthen governance by enhancing the Advisory Board's role, developing a formalised assurance framework, and improving communication and feedback mechanisms. Implementing this plan will ensure greater transparency and accountability within BCP Homes.

(ii) Resident Engagement and Communications Strategy (Appendix 3) and Delivery Plan (Appendix 4): This strategy and its delivery plan are central to empowering residents and improving communication. They outline measures to enhance resident participation, provide transparent communication, and establish formal feedback processes. Successful implementation will foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and active resident participation.

(iii) Resident Engagement for High Rise Buildings Strategy (Appendix 5): This strategy is tailored to meet the specific needs of residents in high-rise buildings, ensuring they are informed and involved in building safety decisions. It includes measures to protect residents from safety risks and aligns with the requirements set by the Building Safety Regulator.

Approving these recommendations will demonstrate the Cabinet's commitment to enhancing governance, transparency, and accountability within BCP.

The Housing and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented the findings from the BCP Homes Governance Review and outlined an action plan aimed at enhancing the assurance, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of the council’s housing management services, collectively as BCP Homes.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that the review highlighted the importance of strong governance and resident engagement in social housing management, and that key recommendations include strengthening the integration and oversight of the Advisory Board, developing a comprehensive resident engagement strategy, and establishing a formalised assurance framework.

Cabinet was advised that the Resident Engagement and Communication Strategy, along with the Resident Engagement for High-Rise Buildings Strategy, are central to this plan, and that these strategies aim to empower residents, improve communication, and ensure that residents' voices are heard and valued. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the successful implementation of these strategies will be instrumental in achieving high standards of service and engagement, marking a significant milestone in BCP Homes' journey towards excellence.

In addition, Cabinet was informed that the report also included a detailed delivery plan for the implementation of these strategies, ensuring that the council meets regulatory requirements and addresses residents' needs effectively, and that the strategies are designed to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and active resident participation, ultimately enhancing the overall governance framework of BCP Homes.