Resident Participation
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is committed to resident participation and actively encourages tenant and leasehold involvement and consultation.
The Resident Participation Team work with tenants, leaseholders and Residents Associations on various issues and consultations.
There are a number of ways in which local people can get involved in decisions that affect their homes and communities.
- Joining a Residents Association, taking part in the Housing Consultative Committee or Leaseholders' Forum
- Taking part in Neighbourhood Forums and Focus Groups
- Joining a Community Group
- Joining a Special Project Group
- Becoming a Resident Inspector and/or joining the Sounding Board
- Completing Surveys
- Expressing an interest in a specific topic and helping with reviews of policies and procedures
The main benefits are:
- Better tenant and leaseholder satisfaction
- Improving community spirit
- An understanding of the needs and constraints of the Council and residents
- A housing service that is responsive to residents
- Best value, by agreeing priorities and monitoring outcomes
- Better control by residents in the way their homes and estates are managed
Aims and Objectives
To promote and develop new Resident Associations and groups
To support and develop existing Resident Associations and groups and where appropriate the administration of grants
To develop an effective structure that ensures resident participation is more representative by encouraging a greater diversity of residents to attend meetings and respond to questionnaires.
To work with residents to ensure that they are able to exercise maximum choice in the way in which the Council delivers services to their homes. This includes the organisation of:
- Estate or locality based meetings and focus groups
- Borough or service wide meetings and focus groups
- Local newsletters
- Borough wide newsletters
- Door knocking
- Individual face to face consultation
Opportunities for residents, tenants and other stakeholders to be an integral part of the decision making processes ensuring the allocation of resources are maximised.
Working with local residents and their representatives, along with service delivery departments to develop local estate management agreements.
Also to develop structures enabling residents to arrange social acitivites in the community.
Creating grater access and communication with outside agencies having a direct affective on residents and the Estate.
To offer support to residents who are representing their community in a democratically elected role.
Equality and Diversity
To seek to improve existing resident involvement structure and develop new ways of reaching residents that may not be participating.
To look to engage with socially excluded and disadvantaged groups.
Our Team
The Resident Participation Team consists of a Resident Participation Manager and two Resident Participation Officers.
If you are interested in getting involved, would like more information about groups in your area, or have any comments or suggestions on improving participation then please contact the Resident Participation Team on 0208 547 4779.
Alternatively you can email us on respart@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
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