Redbridge Council has launched a new Resident Influence and Scrutiny Panel (RISP) to significantly enhance the voice of tenants and leaseholders in the management and scrutiny of housing services. This initiative is a direct response to lessons learned from high-profile incidents such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the Awaab's Law case in Rochdale, which underscored the critical need for residents to feel heard and empowered in decisions affecting their homes and tenancies.
The RISP is a requirement under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard and aims to provide a robust scrutiny measure that not only incorporates residents' concerns but also demonstrates effective progress in addressing them. The panel will have a direct reporting line through the proposed Landlord Services Board to the Lead Member for Housing, Councillor Saima Ahmed, establishing a clear channel for resident feedback to reach senior leadership.
During a recent Housing Committee meeting, councillors discussed the governance of the RISP. Officers clarified that the panel is part of a broader engagement strategy and does not supersede statutory consultation processes. The RISP's primary function is to open a new channel for residents to influence and scrutinise performance, policy, and strategies, creating an appropriate forum for them to engage with decision-makers and represent their interests. RISP members will serve as substantive board members on the Landlord Services Board, offering a dedicated RISP perspective in scrutiny, advice, and feedback to service areas. Furthermore, the panel will have the autonomy to control its own agenda, scope of work, and recommendations, independent of officer or councillor input. The RISP will also be invited to put forward its own recommendations and observations on issues, policies, strategies, and performance to both the Landlord Services Board and the Housing Committee.
The RISP's recommendations will be formally considered by the Landlord Services Board, which acts as the first instance of a formal mechanism for tenant feedback to reach the housing department. If recommendations are presented to officers, they will be reported to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) or the Lead Member or Cabinet as appropriate, potentially for note or decision under delegated powers, thus establishing a complete governance loop. This ensures that the RISP's insights are systematically reviewed and acted upon.
The current panel, which evolved from a predecessor, comprises six to eight members, a size advised by TPAS (Tenants Participation Advisory Service) for optimal manageability. Members are nominated by tenants and residents associations and the leaseholders forum of the borough. While not a formal election, a pseudo-democratic process involving nominations from these groups was employed for the current iteration, with individuals expressing interest in participating. Councillor Muhammed Javed suggested expanding the RISP's membership and involving members in estate visits to further boost confidence in housing services, also proposing the co-option of leaseholder and tenant representatives onto the committee.
The council is actively encouraging broader resident involvement beyond the nominated members. The current panel is described as diverse, with representation across sexes, ages, genders, disabilities, and tenure, reflecting a diversity of opinions. Officers are encouraging the panel to reach out and involve more residents. The council also plans to review the RISP's effectiveness and consult with tenants to ensure it is representative and to identify any gaps where further input is needed. The RISP has the flexibility to co-opt members or consult with wider focus groups when investigating specific areas.
The establishment of the RISP is a key component of Redbridge Council's commitment to transparency, accountability, and resident-focused services. It aims to ensure that tenants have a meaningful influence on the management of their homes and that their concerns are proactively addressed. The RISP is one element within a comprehensive engagement strategy, working alongside other forums and consultation processes, such as leaseholder and tenant conferences, without replacing statutory consultations.
