Wandsworth Council Overhauls Resident Engagement Strategy for Broader Participation

Wandsworth Council Overhauls Resident Engagement Strategy for Broader Participation

Wandsworth Council is overhauling its resident engagement strategy to foster broader participation and ensure tenant and leaseholder voices are heard earlier in decision-making processes. This initiative aims to move away from traditional, area-based panels towards more flexible, topic-specific scrutiny groups, offering residents more ways to get involved, including digital and informal options.

The strategy, developed following an independent review of resident engagement, seeks to broaden participation by involving residents earlier in decision-making and providing diverse avenues for involvement. Concerns were raised during discussions about the potential loss of area housing panels and the separation of tenant and leaseholder groups. The council has stated that nothing's off the table and that all the positive things of our current structures and all the things that are missing will be considered to build something better. Regarding the separation of tenant and leaseholder groups, the strategy acknowledges concerns and proposes that while some topic-specific groups might naturally cater to certain tenures (e.g., major works repayment plans for leaseholders), others, like those on anti-social behaviour, would be open to everyone.

Councillor Chris Barron, Chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, welcomed the proposals, stating that the aim is to make resident engagement more accessible and impactful. He added that the strategy would ensure residents have more opportunities to influence services and that their involvement would be more visible.

The new resident engagement strategy is intended to be co-designed with residents. The co-design process will begin with a broad survey in September 2026 to identify resident priorities. Following this, focus groups will be held in October and early November 2026 to discuss the strategy, new formal structures, digital engagement, funding for communities, and resident associations. A draft of the new strategy will be prepared in late 2026, with formal consultation and publication planned for February-March 2027. The aim is to create a more inclusive and responsive approach to resident involvement in housing matters across Wandsworth.

The new strategy aims to offer a variety of informal engagement options, including feedback via pulse and phone surveys, and input on tenders for major new contracts. Additionally, estate inspections, roadshow events, and more flexible approaches to setting up resident associations are proposed. The strategy also aims to provide more digital opportunities for participation, alongside in-person options, to cater to diverse needs and preferences. This includes offering a wide variety of informal engagement paths, moving beyond traditional formal meetings, to ensure that residents who are less digitally savvy or have limited time can still participate effectively.

Training will be provided to support resident representatives involved in scrutiny bodies, with an emphasis on improving training and support for all residents who take part. Any costs incurred in developing proposals for the new Resident Participation Strategy will be met from existing HRA revenue budgets.

For more details on the proposals, refer to the Public reports pack for the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 1st October 2026.