East Devon tenants are taking the lead in a review of communal areas, gathering feedback from residents and identifying improvements to shared spaces in council housing across the district.
It’s being carried out by East Devon District Council's Tenant Scrutiny Group, a panel of volunteer tenants who examine housing services and make recommendations to help improve them.
The group is exploring how communal areas, such as shared entrances, corridors, stairwells, pathways and gardens are managed and maintained and wants to understand whether tenants feel these spaces are safe, clean, welcoming and provide value for money.
To gather tenants’ views about the challenges and opportunities of shared spaces and find out how communal areas are being used, the group has launched an online survey and is visiting housing communities across East Devon to hear directly from residents about their experiences.
Members of the scrutiny group were recently joined by councillors, housing managers, council officers and a tenant liaison officer from Ian Williams (the council's housing repairs and maintenance contractor), for a visit to Budleigh Salterton, where several local residents had already responded to the survey and highlighted issues that they felt the group should see first-hand.
The group spent the morning visiting three housing communities before hosting an informal drop-in session with tea and biscuits at the local community centre in the afternoon. Tenants took the opportunity to speak with officers and scrutiny group members during the day, raising questions, sharing feedback and discussing their experiences of living in the area.
Several immediate improvements were identified, including repairs to a gate and fence and work to secure external electrical cables. Other concerns requiring more detailed investigation or longer-term solutions were also logged for further action.
Visit the Resident Engagement Hub to take part in the survey - Have Your Say Today - Give us your feedback on Communal Areas - Resident Engagement Hub
The next walkabout is in Exmouth on Friday 9 October. Find out more here - Keep in Touch with Latest News - Resident Engagement Hub - Commonplace
Devon on right track as Government approves SEND reform plan
Exeter dementia study to be NHS tested as part of £80m government project
Over 23,000 young people in the South West have had their first MenB dose, but more than 53,000 are still missing out on the life-saving vaccine
Public voting open for Devon Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Celebration and Impact Awards
Community Project Set to Revive East Devon Hedgerows
Economic squeeze hitting fire service’s bid to recruit on-call firefighters
Woodbury Neighbourhood Plan officially adopted following overwhelming public support
A Spooktacular Success: Halloween Costume Swaps Expand Across Devon
MP welcomes cash boost for Exeter city centre
Where’s all the infrastructure funding anyway?
Pub eyes expansion with virtual games and snooker rooms
Calls for ‘fire summit’ amid rampant pressure on service
Devon Partnership NHS Trust Achieves Major Energy Savings Through Solar
Rail industry crackdown as trespassing criminals cause more than six and half days of delays on the South Western network in a year
Communities invited to apply for new Devon library improvement grants
Have Your Say on the Future of the Dawlish Aviary
