What are Housing Improvement Workshops?

Housing Improvement Workshops are interactive, participatory events where tenants, leaseholders, shared-owners and officers work together to co-design housing services. They are action groups focused on making tangible improvements, not meetings for discussing individual issues.

Why have you changed the name from Consumer Standards Groups to Housing Improvement Workshops?

We listened to feedback from tenants and participants who told us that Consumer Standards Groups (CSGs) sounded confusing and uninviting. Some people weren’t sure what the sessions were for or if they were relevant to them.

The new name, Housing Improvement Workshops, better reflects what these sessions are all about:

• "Housing Improvement" makes it clear that the focus is on improving housing services for everyone.
• "Workshops" highlights that these are interactive, solution-focused sessions, rather than formal meetings.

The name change is part of our wider effort to make these sessions more welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for tenants, shared owners, and leaseholders. We want as many people as possible to feel comfortable attending, sharing their views, and helping to shape real improvements to housing services.

Why was the previous TACT structure changed?

Following a review by the Housing Quality Network (HQN), we revised the structure to better align with the Social Housing Regulator requirements. This included creating the TACT Board as an advisory body and establishing Housing Improvement Workshops so that we can better incorporate tenant feedback into decision-making.

If there are no agendas, how do I know what will be covered in a session?

Housing Improvement Workshops are not formal meetings, so they do not have set agendas. However, we advertise topics for each workshop in advance and can provide more detail on request, including session plans and aims and objectives.

What if I have a personal issue I need to raise?

Housing Improvement Workshops focus on collective improvements rather than individual complaints. However, we make time at the end of each session to signpost support for personal issues.

You can also raise concerns at any time by following our complaints policy 

Why are Housing Improvement Workshops not minuted?

Housing Improvement Workshops are participatory events so they are not minuted like formal meetings. Instead, we capture and track key actions and outcomes, ensuring that tenants and residents can see what we’re actions we’re taking. Each workshop also begins with an update on previous actions.

Who can attend the Housing Improvement Workshops?

Any tenant, leaseholder, or shared owner is welcome. You don’t need any prior knowledge, just an interest in working collaboratively to improve housing services.

How do I find out when and where Housing Improvement Workshops are taking place?

Session dates, locations, and topics are advertised here on our website, in email newsletters, and through posters in community spaces. You can also contact the Tenant Partnership team to receive direct updates.

What kind of topics do Housing Improvement Workshops cover?

Housing Improvement Workshops focus on 4 key areas: Repairs and Maintenance; Safety and Quality; Tenancy; Transparency, Influence and Accountability; Neighbourhood and Community. Each session is action-focused, and the aims and objectives are co-produced by tenants/residents and officers together.

Can I suggest a topic for discussion?

Yes! While Housing Improvement Workshops don’t have formal agendas, we’re keen to collaborate with engaged tenants, leaseholders and shared-owners to shape the workshop aims and objectives.

If you have an idea for a workshop, please do let us know.

What happens after a Housing Improvement Workshop?

We want to be as transparent and accountable as possible – so each workshop’s actions and outcomes are recorded and reviewed at the next session. You will see updates on what actions have been taken, and you’ll have opportunities to refine and develop ideas further. Actions and outcomes are also available for review here on our website.

Will I be expected to speak in a workshop?

Only if you feel comfortable doing so. We want the workshops to be welcoming and inclusive, with opportunities to contribute through group activities, written feedback, or you can simply listen in.

Can I attend just one workshop, or do I need to commit long-term?

There is no ongoing commitment. You are welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as you like, based on your interest in the topics covered.

How will I know my contribution makes a difference?

We’ll feed the outcomes of Housing Improvement Workshops directly into the work of managing officers responsible for housing services. Additionally, each workshop has a tenant representative who will take the feedback to the TACT Board, which meets quarterly to review key issues and advise on housing policies.

Will you be running virtual sessions?

We understand that for many people, joining sessions virtually makes engaging much easier. We are looking to launch virtual sessions later in 2025. Once we have a better understanding of how this can be run to good effect, we will be releasing dates. Watch this space!

Group or meeting	Date	Location	Agenda	Minutes
Housing Improvement Workshop - Safety & Quality Housing Improvement Workshop	12 December 2024  6 pm–8 pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Session Plan (docx, 26kb)
Housing Improvement Workshop - Neighbourhood & Community	11 December 2024, 6 pm – 8 pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Session Plan (docx, 26kb)
Housing Improvement Workshop - Tenancy	5 December 2024  6pm–8pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Session Plan (docx, 26kb)
Housing Improvement Workshop -Transparency, Influence and Accountability	2 December 2024 6pm -8m	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Session Plan (docx, 26kb)
Economy & Housing Policy Committee	26 November 2024		Committee details - Economy and Housing Policy Committee - Winchester City Council
Cabinet	20 November 2024		Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 20th November, 2024, 9.30 am - Winchester City Council
Cabinet Committee: Housing	5 November 2024		Committee details - Cabinet Committee: Housing - Winchester City Council
TACT Board Meeting	21 October 2024
Economy & Housing Policy Committee	17 September 2024	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Committee details - Economy and Housing Policy Committee - Winchester City Council
Housing Improvement Workshop - Transparency, Influence & Accountability	16 September 2024 6pm - 8pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Agenda (docx, 26kb)	Action outcomes (pdf, 261kb)
Housing Improvement Workshop - Tenancy	12 September 2024 6pm - 8pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS		Action outcomes (pdf, 257kb)
Housing Improvement Workshop - Safety & Quality	11 September 2024 6pm - 8pm	Lawn House Common Room, Lawn St, Winchester SO23 8DS	Agenda (docx, 25kb)	Action outcomes  (pdf, 263kb)