Update from last year's engagement activity

In October 2019, officers from Thurrock Council's Housing service and the Corporate Finance department undertook a series of engagement sessions with tenants to explain the rent setting process, the changes in legislation which would be coming into effect, and what a rent increase would mean financially for the Housing Revenue Account. An online portal was also available to all tenants.

The sessions were attended by 113 people in total and provided the opportunity for tenants to ask questions and voice any concerns that they had.

Whilst the sessions were primarily aimed at explaining rent and service charges, it also allowed tenants to raise specific issues around repairs and maintenance and service delivery.

Following the period of tenant engagement last year, and taking on board the feedback which residents shared, funding was identified and allocated for the priority areas which were highlighted.

These included additional works on door entry systems, a brand new external and communal areas decorating programme, the external refurbishment of tower blocks and the continuation of the Transforming Homes programme. The delivery of these priority areas could only be made possible with the increase to rent which was agreed for the 2020/21 financial year.