Hi, I’m Tracy, your Involvement Officer. Welcome to your March edition of In Focus!
In this issue, we discuss the Welsh Government's standards for tenant involvement and how we're working to meet them. You'll find updates on our new Cadarn Scrutiny Team's recent activities, and our upcoming 'Community Connections' strategy. Plus, learn how you can get involved with our Reading Panel.
If you would like to get involved or have any enquiries relating to tenant involvement - please contact me at tracy.james@newydd.co.uk
Following the pandemic in 2022, we introduced community pop-up events to increase face-to-face interaction with Newydd staff. We've organised many pop-ups across our estates to hear your voice and understand what matters to you.
During these events, staff have:
Supported tenants with anti-social behaviour concerns
Followed up on repairs
Made referrals for financial, digital, and adaptations support
Conducted litter picks/removed bulk rubbish
Provided a handyman service for small jobs
These events have been successful, but we aim to improve. Please take 5 minutes to complete a survey about the pop-ups you've attended and share suggestions for future events. You'll be entered into a prize draw with 3 chances to win £25!
Closing date: 12pm Monday 31st March 2025
Thank you for your time and feedback.
Tenant involvement is more important than ever. The Welsh Government has asked for feedback on their standards. Their aim is to make sure that tenants have a stronger say in housing services by:
✔ Focussing on impact - Emphasising the results of tenant involvement, not just offering chances to take part.
✔ Improving tenant satisfaction – The goal is not just to achieve high satisfaction levels but to maintain and improve them over time, especially in key areas like repairs, maintenance, tenancy support, personal safety and housing allocations.
✔ Having fair services – Housing services should meet diverse needs and provide fair outcomes for all tenants.
✔ Providing clear and accessible information – Landlords must give enough performance information so tenants can review and question decisions.
✔ Publicising an involvement framework – There must be a clear and effective system for tenant involvement, with a focus on tenant satisfaction.
✔ Proving the impact of tenant involvement – Landlords need to show how tenant feedback has shaped services and decision-making.
✔ Value for money – Tenants must be involved in making sure services provide good value and are cost-effective.
To meet Welsh Government's standards, we've worked with tenants, TPAS Cymru, and Tai Pawb to create a new Tenant Involvement Strategy, action plan, and Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). These were approved by the Board in February. We will continue to involve tenants in all aspects of our business and improve our services. We'll keep sharing ways for you to get involved and provide feedback so you can see the positive impact of tenant involvement.
To make sure our services do not disadvantage anyone based on their protected characteristics i.e. age, disability, or race etc., it is vital that you share key personal information with us. We can then make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs. You can update your personal record on MyNewydd or contact our Customer Services Team who will be happy to update your record for you.
Last October, our new Cadarn Scrutiny Team began their role of helping us to meet Welsh Government standards to provide fair, safe, and high-quality housing services for all.
The Team has helped us to develop our:
New Tenant Involvement Strategy, supporting action plan and equality impact assessment
New Equalities Strategy and supporting equality impact assessment
New Corporate Plan equality impact assessment
A Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) tenant engagement plan
Complaints policy
Welsh Government self-evaluation,
New Cadarn Group website, and
also have also considered the annual rent survey tenant feedback
The Team received equalities, unconscious bias, and anti-racism training in January; have just finalised their Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct; and have chosen to review their first topic, which is service charges, which will being in April.
| Newydd Tenants | Cadwyn Tenants |
| Amanda Lawrence (Chair) Cath Kinson Emma Newbury Lianne Young Ceri Smith Kalpana Natarajan Sue Bond Shani Payter (also an Operational Board member) | Rhys Humphreys (Vice Chair) Audrey Chapman Wayne Gill Rosemary Kiputa Inas Alali Natalie Malatesta (also an Operational Board member) |
When we recruited tenants for the new Scrutiny Team, we were keen to ensure there was a stronger tenant voice at Board level. Two of the team are also members of the operational Boards!
We are in the process of developing a new Tenancy Sustainability and Community Engagement Strategy and action plan that will be presented to the Board. This strategy, entitled ‘Community Connections,’ aims to capture the excellent work we carry out and provides a framework for future ways of working. It focuses on the following themes:
We are looking for more tenants to get involved with our Reading Panel! As a panel member, you’ll help us review policies and documents by email, making sure our publications and communications are clear, useful, and easy to understand. Recently, both our Reading Panel and Scrutiny Team were consulted on the content for our future Cadarn website, ensuring it meets tenants’ needs.
So, if you are interested in having your say, e-mail Tracy James our Involvement Officer at tracy.james@newydd.co.uk and we’ll add you to the mailing list.
