Purpose
To provide a structured forum for residents to make strong recommendations on new policies being introduced by Oxford City Council (OCC), that affect Housing Revenue Account (HRA) service and the approach that OCC in delivering policy information, ensuring that the resident views help shape the content and communication of policies that impact their homes and communities.
Context
The Council is transforming the work of its housing services in response to Consumer Standards from the Regulator for Social Housing. These standards require landlords to deliver safe, well-maintained homes and to listen to tenants' voices. The Policy Review Group (PRG) is part of this transformation, helping to ensure that OCC's approach to policy implementation reflects residents' views and priorities.
Objectives
The objectives of the group are to:
- ensure the content of OCC policies is in the best interests of OCC residents
- support the Policy team to create effective policies for the HRA service, from initiation through to release
- consider a range of diverse inputs and approaches from stakeholders across the social housing sector
- enable the views of OCC staff to be brought into the process
- promote the work of the group with other residents and OCC staff
Outcomes
A well informed, clear and strong set of resident-led recommendations proposing possible improvements to new HRA policies. Training will be provided during the first session to assist.
A set of policies for the HRA that have input from staff and residents, that will work to the benefit of all stakeholders.
New levels of trust and respect between residents and OCC staff evidence of productive co-working.
Evidence that OCC is compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability Consumer Standard:
2.2.5 Registered providers, working with tenants, must regularly consider ways to improve and tailor their approach to delivering landlord services including tenant engagement. They must implement changes as appropriate to ensure services deliver the intended aims.
Membership
25 to 35 residents (tenants, shared owners and leaseholders), selected to reflect a mix of tenures.
Members are encouraged to attend all sessions and contribute constructively.
Members will receive support to ensure that they can successfully access the group and understand the information provided to enable them all to contribute effectively.
Members will be expected to adhere to OCC’s Code of Conduct for Resident Involvement Meetings.
Meeting format
The outcomes of the group will be facilitated by the Resident Involvement Team across a starter session on Tuesday 4 November 2025 and then following the schedule below until further notice.
Sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams from 6pm to 7.30pm on the following dates:
- Session 1 - Tuesday 4 November 2025
- Session 2 - Wednesday 12 November 2025
- Session 3 – Wednesday 26 November 2025
- Session 4 – Wednesday 10 December 2025
- Session 5 – Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Session 6 – Wednesday 21 January 2026
Residents will be invited to attend fortnightly sessions following the end of this schedule.
Influence and sign-off
Meetings will be recorded, minuted and shared with PRG members and relevant OCC staff within 48 hours of each session.
Subject to acceptance, PRG's recommendations will be implemented by the Policy Team and associated OCC staff.
Should a PRG recommendation be rejected, the PRG will be provided with the rationale behind the decision in writing, with clear reasons given why it's been rejected.
In some cases, this may lead to negotiations to agree a version of the recommendation that can be accepted.
All agreed PRG recommendations will be tracked to ensure they are successfully delivered.
