Resident feedback sought in relationship builder.
Milton Keynes Council is giving residents more opportunities to help shape the future of housing services across the city.
As the largest landlord in MK, with more than 11,000 council homes, the city council wants to build on the relationships it has developed through recent work, including last year’s ‘Big Conversation’ where officers visited neighbourhoods across the city, knocking on doors and speaking directly with local residents.
Their feedback is already influencing major improvements, such as a new repairs and maintenance contract that brought in evening appointments, faster urgent repairs and higher standards.
The new strategy has been co-produced with residents and was formally approved last Tuesday, following extensive engagement with tenants, leaseholders and shared owners.
With the help of residents, the council is developing a series of actions to build trust, improve communication and ensure every resident can have a voice in shaping the services they receive.
It wants to co-create a new Tenant Charter which sets out what residents can expect from the council and what’s needed from residents in return. Resident-led scrutiny groups and engagement panels will be established to give tenants a direct role in reviewing services and helping drive improvements.
The council will also publish tenant satisfaction measures every year so that progress is openly shared.
Housing Officers for each neighbourhood will work with residents and local partners to create a plan that focuses on local priorities such as safety, cleanliness, tackling anti-social behaviour or improving community spaces. This will be supported by more regular walkabouts and a bigger presence on estates.
There will also be money and help for resident-led projects such as creating community gardens, noticeboards, shared planters and neighbourhood clean-up days.
“Having more tenants, leaseholders and shared owners involved means we can deliver a service that everyone can be proud of,” said Cllr Ed Hume, Cabinet Member for Housing.
“I’d like to thank residents and colleagues for the work they’ve done so far; we’re always looking to improve, and this is an important step forward.”
