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The Resident Scrutiny Panel exists to examine the work of Westlea and Oxford Citizens housing associations, Oakus and GreenSquare. There are a maximum of 11 members, with representatives from each organisation who currently serve for a period of three years and meet ten times a year. Membership is open to all residents through a defined recruitment process.

The role/duties of the Scrutiny Panel are:

• Setting and scrutinising performance and suggesting investigative work on areas of poor performance;
• Recommend targets using the framework of the Tenants’ Services Authority (TSA);
• Decide a five-year rolling programme of service reviews for all associations in the group;
• Review complaints and comment on corrective actions;
• Review the residents’ business plans; and
• Receive an overview of confidential items from the Boards.

If the Panel is unsure about any of the Board’s decisions, they can call for further information or a review. They keep a close eye on areas of poor performance - and the steps being taken to address the issues - and lead GreenSquare’s ‘Building Excellence’ groups to drive continuous improvement.

The ConsultCIH review of year one (March 2010) states that: “We believe that the GreenSquare RSP has succeeded in achieving a considerable amount in a relatively short period, more than might have been anticipated.”

The ConsultCIH report identifies the following positive impacts, which we believe provide a very sound foundation for the future work of the RSP:

• Greater awareness of the need to involve residents and get their feedback earlier in a process than later
• Strengthening the resident voice across the Group
• Engendering greater respect for the contribution that residents can make to decision making on “real issues”
• Greater transparency and accountability in decision making and the recording of decision making
• Strengthening the resident voice in the budget setting process
• Additional staffing in particular areas of activity to respond to identified need (ie affordable warmth).

Key positive outcomes of the Resident Scrutiny Panel include:

• The pilot project has been very successful and the GreenSquare Board has confirmed that the RSP should continue to operate. It is regarded as a very important and integral part of the Group’s governance structure.
• Having a professional, interim chair and providing the RSP members with a program of training has enabled Panel members to develop both their skills and their confidence in a relatively short time.
• The ConsultCIH report states that the RSP have “succeeded in achieving a considerable amount in a relatively short period, more than might have been anticipated... in fact the RSP’s impact was clear with the production of its first investigation, into heating/affordable warmth.” It adds that embarking on an investigation early in their development has enabled the RSP to build their confidence and “enabled the Group to see the positive impact of the RSP at an earlier stage than may have been possible otherwise.”
• The report also states that: “The current RSP members have developed well into a team demonstrating equal commitment, interest and enthusiasm and also demonstrating strength in difference” and that “The RSP’s initial year has shown that members are committed and enthusiastic and wish to see the Panel evolve rather than be driven.” It adds that RSP members are happy with the powers they have and do not feel these need to be reviewed.
• It also notes that GreenSquare officers have been “helpful, encouraging and supportive to the RSP.”
• The RSP has attracted keen third-party interest. For example, it was referenced in the CIH report Resident-led self-regulation: Enhancing in-house scrutiny and performance, commissioned by the TSA and published on 9 March 2010. The report states that that GreenSquare is “at the forefront of developing resident-led self-regulation.”

The RSP has been a real success and we hope that other social housing providers will feel encouraged by the highly positive feedback we have received.

It’s been very hard work for everyone involved, but the rewards in terms of resident involvement and empowerment have been immense.

Anyone can apply to be a Resident Scrutiny Panel member. If you would like to know more about this or would like an application form, please contact Corporate Services.

Recent Scrutiny Panel Minutes:

Recent Scrutiny Panel Reports: