The Regional Network SHR Liaison Group - minutes - 30 July 2024

KM handed over to HS, NH and CCR. 

HS thanked the Group for the opportunity to gather their views on the proposed changes to the ARC indicators. This session covered three elements: a review of the proposed tenant and resident safety indicators, with a particular focus on damp and mould; a review of other proposed changes; and a discussion of what issues matter most to tenants. Following the discussion, HS noted that SHR are still finalising proposals and this discussion will feed into this work. The finalised proposals will go to the SHR Board in August, after which the formal consultation will be launched in September. 

5.  Tenants Together Scotland (TTS) Rebrand 

SG explained that the Group were delighted to get the go ahead for their rebrand at their AGM on 1 June 2024. The rebrand was well publicised with an article in Scottish Housing News and TTS also spoke at the TPAS conference on 21 June 2024. SG said that by giving tenants and service users the wider opportunity to be members, this in turn will give them an opportunity to get updates regularly and get involved where they want to. SG noted that TTS hope to establish a social media presence as the new format progresses.  

TTS office bearers hope to meet with stakeholder groups to introduce the changes and open up dialogue. To date, SST had met with Anne Cook (Head of Social Housing Services at the Scottish Government) and look forward to carrying on engaging with SHR; as well as promoting TTS with SFHA, TIS, TPAS and ALACHO. 

SG noted that they are currently not filling any further committee member positions (currently 22 of the 32 positions are filled) and will run with existing committee members elected at the 1 June AGM. This will allow the new format of TTS to bed in and allow new committee members to get established.  

On 14 August there will be a TTS face to face meet in Glasgow, where there will be Basecamp training (an online collaboration platform) as well as some practical training sessions on completion of expense forms etc.  Fawn Russell from TIS will also run a workshop on the rebrand exercise. (TIS assisted with the rebrand). 

KM enquired about the introduction of individual membership and in particular the process for individual members to become committee members. SG said that the TTS committee would consist of up to 32 members, which could include up to 5 individual members. TTS still want to have membership from RTOs & Scrutiny Groups, but also want to include those who may not be in a formal group but display an interest in housing in some form or another. SG provided an example of a current committee member who is a Board Member on a Housing Association but is no longer a member of a scrutiny group or RTO. SG added that the formal application form for committee membership has not yet been devised, TTS were going to discuss at the August face to face session, but this will now be drafted and agreed at a later date, likely via basecamp. SG reiterated that TTS recognise there remains work to do to finalise TTS arrangements, but the ethos of the group remains the same. 

KM noted that the previous regional network allocated committee membership on a geographical basis based on the 4 regions, but that these regions no longer exist in TTS.  SG explained that no previous members had opted to stand down at the AGM and that to date there had been no individual approaches since the rebrand took place. She hoped that once the application process had been formalised, TTS would begin promoting opportunities further and would welcome new committee members at this time. KM noted that the current membership remains similar to before the AGM, and agreed it was important for a new committee member process to be formally agreed by TTS going forward. 

HS said that the update was very helpful to hear, and that TTS is an important stakeholder for SHR to engage with. Conversations did need to be held to look at the TOR and work would be needed to make it fit for purpose given the TTS rebrand. HS added that Michael would discuss with the SHR Board and that any changes to the TOR would be taken for approval, but that the Liaison Group’s input would be key to this. This would then allow us to take forward subsequent meetings, not least the next meeting in October which will be a face-to-face meeting which our Chief Executive and Chair in attendance. 

SG said that TTS office bearers hope to meet with SHR to consider an update to the TOR as these do require to be updated given the TTS rebrand.  

HS again emphasised the importance of the Liaison Group as a stakeholder and that the refreshed TOR would reflect this. SG agreed that the Liaison Group would also be an important stakeholder to TTS and noted the positive working relationship between the group (in its previous format) and SHR to date.  

6.  Recent SHR updates  

i.  Tenants and service users guide to how we regulate  

KM updated that on 18 June 2024 we published the updated “How we regulate: A guide for tenants and service users”, which had been sent to Shona to pass on to the group at the time of publication. KM again thanked group members for feedback they had provided for this guide which is designed to help tenants and service users find out more about what the Regulator does and how it works. It also explains how tenants can find out about their landlord, what they can expect from it, and how they can raise a serious concern about a landlord. 

KM added that SHR also developed two short videos to support the guide which includes information about the Regulator and its work and how to raise a concern about a social landlord and developed a British Sign Language (BSL) version of the updated guide as well as a BSL version of the factsheet for tenants on raising a serious concern about a landlord 

ii.  Business Planning Advisory Guidance 

On 20 June we published updated business planning advisory guidance for social landlords. The link will be sent to the Group for those interested in viewing this. This updated guide is principally for RSL staff and board members; and retains the key principles of the previous guidance but reflects the significant challenges in the current operating environment for social landlords. 

iii.  National Panel Report 

KM reminded attendees that SHR had updated at the last meeting that the National Panel had been issued a survey in January, this covered a range of topics including rent affordability, rent consultation, financial circumstances/cost of living, heating your home, participation and digital access and communication. This coupled with focus group work with the Panel, formed the basis of the National Report. On 11 July SHR published the annual National Panel report, with the main headline being the continuing financial difficulties that tenants are experiencing. 

LR said that she felt this should be read by every Council and thanked SHR for providing this report. 

SG added that the information coming from the new UK Government on the stoppage of winter payments to some pensioners was concerning in this context. 

iv.  Housing Regulator publishes analysis of new homes, empty homes and lettings 

The Scottish Housing Regulator published an early analysis of the data for 2023/24 that all social landlords submit to it on empty homes and lettings; and that Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) submit on their plans to build new homes. 

The analysis shows that the rate at which RSLs are building new homes has fallen and is projected to remain at a lower level for the next five years. Alongside that, social landlords have seen a drop in the last couple of years in the number of homes becoming empty. Taken together, this means that social landlords have significantly fewer homes available to let to people in need, including those who are experiencing homelessness. 
 
Despite the lower number of homes available to let, both RSLs and local authorities have increased both the number and percentage of homes they let to people who were homeless. 

v.  Engagement Plans  

KM noted that there had been changes to three engagement plans since the group last met. These related to Reidvale Housing Association, Milnbank Housing Association and Clydebank Association.  

Tenant Advisors and National Panel 

KM explained that Tenant Advisors had recently attended a focus group session on the ARC to gather their views on proposed changes. Their feedback would be used in the same way as the Liaison Group feedback.  

KM reminded the meeting that the National Panel’s report was discussed earlier in the meeting.

vi.  Tenant Participation and Gypsy/Traveller Thematic 

KM updated that our programme of work with TPAS and MECOPP was completed in early April. She explained that a survey had been issued to all Landlords, and 111 landlords responded. TPAS also ran a series of Focus Groups and attendees included a good representation from the Gypsy/Traveller community. Alongside some previous work with our Tenant Advisors, we have used this information to create a thematic report on Tenant & Gypsy/Traveller Participation. SHR are currently finalising our first draft of this report for review internally in the first instance. SG said that the Group were looking forward to hearing the outcomes.  

vii.  SHR board updates  

KM updated that since the group last met, the SHR Board met on 28 May and held a workshop on 18 June. She provided a summary of these meetings for the group.   

KM also updated that SHR had met with our urban social landlord group on 1 May and our rural and islands landlord group on 14 May. Blogs about these meetings had been created by SHR Chief Executive Michael Cameron and Board member, Andrew Watson and these are available on our website.  

Andrew also attended the Systemically Important Forum on 3 June 2024 and again, wrote a blog which is available on our website. 

viii.  Recent and upcoming publications and events 

• KM updated that on 04 July we published our corporate parenting plan and children’s rights report. SHR are a corporate parent under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. In August SHR will publish the National Report on the Scottish Social Housing Charter and update Landlord reports and the comparison tool. 

• In August/September SHR hope to announce a new Board member following interviews by Scottish Ministers.  

• Also, in August we will publish our British Sign Language Thematic. 

• We aim to publish the Tenant Participation and Gypsy/Traveller Participation Thematic by September.  

• September will see the launch of the consultation on the Charter indicators review, this will run through to November. 

• In September, Helen will speak at Harper MacLeod’s housing week. 

7.  Tenants Together Scotland update 

LR and JA are attending to represent TTS at the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit 2024 in Dundee on 26 September. 

TTS annual face to face get together will take place 14 August. 

8.  Any other business  

LR asked if SHR had noted any increase in enquiries in relation to damp and mould as a result of the Rights of the Child legislation or were SHR expecting to see this. KM explained that our Regulation Manager Linda McKenna was leading in this area, but she would enquire with Linda to provide some further information.  

JD updated that North Lanarkshire’s Tenant Participation Service had received a TPAS gold rating for their work across communities as well as a “Lord Provost” award for “Community Group of the Year.” He also updated that Motherwell Theatre remains closed (now for over a year) due to RAAC but noted that his local community group had just been awarded £100k to reopen a theatre in Shotts which would aid community activity.  

SG updated that two liaison group members had taken a leave of absence due to health issues.  

9.  Date of next meeting 

KM reminded all that the date of the next meeting is set for 29 October 2024. This is due to be attended by George Walker and Michael Cameron to take questions from the Group and will be in our new offices at High Street. KM further requested that those who might require overnight accommodation to advise us in advance. She also explained that those intending to claim travel expenses should consider signing up to the SHR Payment system in advance to ensure payments can be made timeously. SG advised that she would gather details of those attending and coordinate requirements with Kelda and Caroline.