Involvement Standards

Standards for meetings

Meetings are one way in which residents can communicate with others in their community and Lewisham Homes and its partners. Each meeting must:

• Be publicised effectively and a minimum of seven days in advance
• Be held at a time suitable for residents, in easily accessible venues
• Have an agenda listing the items for discussion
• Have a chair who conducts the meeting properly, encourages everyone to adhere to the code of conduct and facilitates input from all participants
• Obtain a majority agreement from those present on decisions
• Avoid “any other business” being historical issues that have been dealt with
• Have notes/minutes taken, a clear plan of actions to deal with matters that have arisen from the meeting and arrangements for reporting back outcomes to those who took part
• Adhere to the terms of reference if relevant to that group.

Standards for consultation and involvement

Residents can expect the following standards:

• The name and contact details for the lead officer, how residents can get involved, what residents are being asked to consider and timelines
• Information and training to help residents to take an effective part in helping Lewisham Homes to continue to move forward
• To be clear about the level of influence residents will have – whether we are asking you for ideas, recommendations, decisions or we are delegating decision making authority and/or budgets to that group
• Receiving feedback on the results
• A community involvement database that is representative of the Lewisham Homes resident profile
• Involvement in developing, prioritising, evaluating and monitoring major works.

Standards for resident groups

Residents' associations and groups that wish to be recognised by Lewisham Homes must meet the following criteria:

• Adopt an equal opportunities statement and ensure that membership is open to all in that area
• Clearly state the geographical area the group covers
• Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to which all residents are invited and present audited accounts
• Have a constitution which reflects Lewisham Homes' model constitution and hold a minimum of four meetings a year (including the AGM) and adhere to the standards for meetings
• Keep a record of membership and produce minutes for all the meetings held and provide a copy of the minutes to residents that attended and Lewisham Homes’ staff.

Standards for information

• We will present information in clear and simple language, avoiding jargon where possible. If jargon is unavoidable, an explanation will always be provided.
• Information will be available on request and summaries of all important public documents are available in the most common locally spoken anguages, as well as Braille, audio and in large print.
• We will ensure our residents can access relevant information so they can make informed decisions and that information that is provided is timely and relevant to residents' needs.
• Adhere to the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Act.

From time to time, Lewisham Homes will target certain sections of the community, for example, lone parents or disabled people, to ensure those getting involved are representative of the overall Lewisham Homes population.

If you would like to make a comment, obtain a copy of the code of conduct for meetings or the constitution and accreditation criteria for resident groups, or gather more information about anything you have read above including a list of what publicity we send you and when, please contact the Community Involvement team by phoning 020 8613 7660 or emailing getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk.