Resetting the way we engage with our residents
A new approach for how Lambeth works with residents living on estates that are going through renewal programmes is unveiled by the council today, as part of a reset of the estate renewal programme.
The Estate Renewal Resident Engagement Framework (EREF) sets out how residents will be involved in decisions around the future of estates, including with dedicated engagement officers, tailored engagement plans for each estate and the final say on the future of the estate through a resident ballot. The council will also carry surveys on all estates to identify where short-term improvements are needed, bring empty homes back into use where possible and continue to invest in maintaining the estates as needed.
A need to make extensive changes to the way the council engages with residents living on five estates included in its renewal programmes was among the key findings of the Kerslake Review into affordable housing in Lambeth, commissioned by the council and published last year.
Word from the Cabinet
Speaking ahead of the new Framework’s publication, Cllr Danny Adilypour, Lambeth Council’s Deputy Leader and its Cabinet Member for Sustainable Growth and New Homes, said: “We listened to Lord Kerslake’s findings and we fully accepted the need to take action to ensure we could build new homes at the level that Lambeth so desperately needs.
“We have since moved fast to reset the way that we work with our residents and to demonstrate very clearly to them that we’re listening to those we serve – and that we can work together to deliver the improvements some of our estates need.”
Cllr Adilypour emphasised Lambeth’s focus on the new approach to delivering clear, open and meaningful engagement with residents on its renewal estates.
He added: “We know that having a good home is one of the most important things in life. It becomes even more important when times are tough, as we know they have been for many of Lambeth’s residents over the past few years.
“Estate renewal is about transforming your homes and estate to create better places to live. This new engagement framework sets out how we will work with you, how we will support you and how we will make sure all our residents’ diverse voices are heard throughout.”
Feedback from residents
The final framework was developed following feedback from 612 residents on a draft of the plan which was shared with them in February.
The Kerslake Review was an independent review commissioned by Lambeth Council to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in the borough and was published in December 2023. The council responded to the Review’s findings which it accepted in full. Details of its response were announced here.
