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01462 683307

Independent Scrutiny Group

 

Welcome to the Residents Independent Scrutiny Group
 
Under the guidance of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, we were formed to examine objectively the housing services delivered to Howard Cottage residents. The overriding aim is to focus on the concerns and aspirations of residents. We are all Howard Cottage residents, and we act independently of Howard Cottage, HeCTA and other local and national housing associations.
 
Chief Executive John Welch recently sought our views about the formula that Howard Cottage (and nearly all other housing associations) uses to set rents every April. 
 
Although rents are rising at a time when many residents are feeling the pinch, we were satisfied that Howard Cottage has applied the formula consistently. We also sought (and received) assurances that in times of negative inflation, rent increases will be pegged back to reflect this – this actually happened in 2009! Similarly, we confirmed we are satisfied that the Affordable Rent Model adopted by the Board is an equitable way of raising extra revenue to use for future housing development – this has become necessary because of cuts to grant funding for new homes.
 
Co
Complaints
 
The ISG has now completed its first project, which focused on complaints. As well as reviewing paperwork supplied by Howard Cottage, we extended our investigation to look at the complaints strategy and working methods of other housing associations. Having drawn up a report on the subject of complaints, we then presented it to the Howard Cottage Board, which was very impressed with
our meticulous approach. In our report to the Howard Cottage Board we made a number of recommendations about how complaints are defined and managed. We also recommended reviewing the complaints leaflet and exploring how feedback from residents can be effectively captured and monitored to keep an eye on satisfaction trends as well as to continuously improve services.
 
As a group, we’re very proud of our achievements in our first year. The Board was most welcoming and we will be following things up to check that the agreed recommendations have been implemented.”
 
Would you like to join the ISG?
 
If you have a few hours a month to spare and love reading and investigating, why not join us? As well as helping to improve things for your fellow residents, it’ll look very impressive on your CV!
 
To find out more please email us at ISG@howard-cottage.co.uk or call Jon Thurlow, Resident Involvement Officer on 01462 683307
Independent Scrutiny Group