Council To Ask Adur Tenants What They Think Of Their Area

Tuesday, 10 October 2023 06:31

Every Adur Homes tenant is to be asked what they think about where they live - and what the council can do to make things better.

Adur District Council is launching the annual survey to get a better understanding of what the residents living in its properties think and feel.

The council has more than 3,000 homes across Sompting, Lancing, Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate and wants to make sure its residents all have good, safe and sustainable properties as well as accessible open spaces and amenities nearby.

The survey will be sent to every Adur Homes tenant in the next few days. Some tenants will also be phoned by Acuity, the council’s partner for this work.

The council referred itself to the Regulator of Social Housing in February this year because it was concerned that some of its homes were not of a good standard.

Since then it has been working with the regulator as it deals with the maintenance and health and safety issues in the properties.

A key target for the council is to improve its relationships with the residents so that they feel comfortable raising issues with the council, so that improvements are made.

A series of events have been held across the district in which councillors and council officers have met with Adur Homes residents to talk with them about issues where they live.

In particular, residents have spoken of their frustration at the council’s response to issues and complaints as well as the way it has communicated with the community before now.

Cllr Carson Albury, the council’s cabinet member for Adur Homes and customer services, said:

“The sessions we’ve had have been very positive and constructive, even when residents have been very critical of the council.

“We know that for too long we have not done enough to help our tenants and leaseholders, which has damaged the trust and confidence they have in us and what we’re trying to do.

“We have to rebuild that trust and the new survey will play an important role in showing that we are listening to our residents and acting on their concerns.”

As well as launching the survey, the council will begin creating new residents’ groups to give tenants more of a voice in how their area is redeveloped.

More community drop-in sessions will also be held for locals to meet with council officers and councillors to discuss ongoing issues where they live.

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