Scrutiny is a formal process that gives council tenants the opportunity to independently review and discuss landlord services and performance. By sharing their experiences and insights, tenants play an important role in helping to drive service improvements.

At the end of each exercise, the CSG prepare a report, which sets out their findings and recommendations.  The report is presented to the Director and Heads of Service within Housing and Technical Resources.  An action plan is then jointly agreed and progressed.

Each year the SLTDSP hosts a Scrutiny: Taking Stock session, bringing tenants and staff together to reflect on the effectiveness of scrutiny, share ideas and identify opportunities for improvement. The event also celebrates the contributions of tenants and staff and the positive impact of partnership working, recognising the shared commitment at the heart of scrutiny to continuously improve services for customers.

In recent years the CSG have been involved in reviewing a range of different service areas.  Particular highlights have included, the review of the council’s new Home and Health Assessment Service, which found that the service was both robust and effective.  The exercise on the council’s approach to gas servicing and tenant safety, resulted in letters, used in the process, being updated and revised to emphasise key information to tenants.  A review of the homeless application process resulted in the development of a visual aid for service users which clearly explained the homelessness journey.

The CSGs involvement in these exercises has given them an in depth understanding of the service areas and members have found the experience to be both interesting and valuable.

There are many ways for tenants to get involved. You do not need to be an expert to take part. Curiosity and lived experience are all that is required, with SLTDSP providing support along the way.

To find out more, please contact Hannah Beaton, Tenant Participation and Engagement Officer at SLTDSP, by email.