The Building Safety Panel is made up of resident representatives from the three high-rise buildings in Lancaster. The aim of the Panel is to: 

• review building safety information and resident feedback on a quarterly basis 

• examine general safety related performance information and resident feedback to ensure standards are being met 

• understand any planned work that can impact on the safety of the buildings 

• report their findings, recommendations and concerns to the Tenants Voice Meeting every quarter 

• challenge Lancaster City Council and raise any concerns about the safety of residents living in high-rise buildings 

• monitor the delivery of the engagement and communication standards for building safety and any associated outcomes or actions - if Lancaster City Council doesn't meet the standards they can ask to see evidence of remedial action to make things right 

You can get involved in this group if you live in a high-rise block on Mainway, Lancaster. 

Content...

This meeting provides a voice for tenants to meaningfully engage with the council and: 

• consider housing policy and finance issues and scrutinise the housing service's performance making recommendations 

• work with other tenant/leaseholder groups, including scrutiny, to improve services and help review objectives and aspirations 

• review and make recommendations regarding housing policies relating to services for tenants and leaseholders, including the service improvement plan 

• consider the value for money of council housing services 

• review housing publications and communication 

• consider and make recommendations in relation to housing finance, which will include involvement in rent and budget setting 

You can get involved in this group if you are a tenant or leaseholder who wants to represent your community. 

This is a new group and we propose to: 

• meet once a month and focus on the issues young people in our communities have 

• find out what services you would like to see to help improve confidence, skills and social interaction 

• understand what would help you get involved 

This group will feed into the Tenants Voice. 

You can get involved in this group if you are a resident living in a council home who is under 18, or an advocate for under 18s. 

This is a new group and we propose to: 

• meet once a month 

• focus on the issues important to the older tenants and leaseholders in the Lancaster district 

• better understand the issues, ideas and concerns related to housing and your community can be age specific 

This group will then feed into the Tenants Voice. 

You can get involved in this group if you are a resident living in a council home who is over 55, or an advocate for the over 55s. 

The scrutiny panel's role is to: 

• explore, examine and test the current services provided by Lancaster City Council Housing on behalf of tenants and leaseholders 

• investigate what is currently in place and make recommendations based on the evidence gathered during the scrutiny period 

• make sure recommendations are achievable and set to a workable timescale 

• feedback their recommendations to the head of housing and the councillor with responsibility for housing where an action plan is drawn up to implement changes 

• take around six months to complete a review – with members usually meeting every two weeks during a scrutiny project 

You can get involved in this group if you are a tenant or leaseholder with an interest in the detail of how housing services are delivered. 

• The fund provides money to community groups or individuals to deliver projects which help improve communities and neighbourhoods 

• This group meets on a monthly basis to make decisions on how the Neighbourhood Community Projects Fund is spent 

• The panel review applications to the fund and agree which applications meet the criteria 

You can get involved in this group if you are a tenant or leaseholder with an interest in supporting people in the community to do great work. 

• We can work with you to help get resident led community groups, projects and activities up and running and to bring your ideas to life 

• We can help your group get off the ground with a £500 start up fee 

• We can also assist groups to apply for outside funding for projects 

You can get involved in this if you are a tenant or leaseholder with an idea, and lots of energy to deliver it! 

Join your housing officer on a walk around your neighbourhood where you can tell them any ideas or concerns you have about your area. Click here to see next event in your area. 

You can get involved in this if you are a tenant or leaseholder with time to join in. 

This is a new group and we propose to: 

• meet once a month 

• focus on raising the voices of LGBTQ+ customers and the issues impacting them 

• focus on support, action and socialising 

We understand how isolating it can feel when your housing provider doesn't recognise your pronouns or doesn't understand additional support you need as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

You can join this group if you are a member of, or an advocate for, the LGBTQ+ community and you want to meet, socialise, and make a difference in the community. 

Be part of our informative and exciting newsletter which is produced every two months. 

Have a say about what you would like to see in the newsletter. Work alongside council housing officers to make this publication a must read for every tenant. 

You can get involved in this group if you are a tenant or leaseholder with a keen interest in how the council communicates with your fellow residents. 

This can be anything from completing surveys to commenting on policies. This can be done at times to suit you but makes sure you still have a say in how Lancaster City Council Housing is working. 

You can get involved in this group if you are a tenant or leaseholder who is short on time but still want to get involved. 

TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) are the tenant engagement experts. Our membership gives you access to member only events and online resources. Membership is free to all Lancaster City Council tenants and leaseholders. 

Sign up here. 

The purpose of the leaseholder forum is for you to: 

• raise any burning issues affecting you as a leaseholder 

• help the housing service improve the services offered to you 

• better understand how the council manages service charges, and other key areas of leasehold management 

You can get involved in this group if you are a Lancaster City Council leaseholder and you want your voice to be heard.