What's been happening?

Here's a summary of what's been going on in the world of tenant engagement and consultation over the last three months, covering July-September.


1. Our North Tyneside Voice website

As of 30 September, 747 tenants are registered on this website. Being registered allows us to contact you whenever there is an opportunity for you to have your say, or provide updates on previous consultation activities. If you're not already signed up, register via the link at the top of your screen.

During July-September, those registered have been sent details of the anti-social behaviour focus groups (see section 4), the council’s annual Big Community Conversation survey, a new page on the site for national consultations and a short survey asking what they would like to know more about – so we can ensure we’re providing tenants with information about things that are important to them.


2. Tenant panels – September

Meeting notes for all panels can be found on the Our North Tyneside Voice website.

All panels receive performance and complaints reports at every meeting. At the September meetings:

  • The Landlord Panel discussed a draft of the new Pet Policy, heard plans for conducting the 2026 TSM survey and had an update on the Unified ICT project. They also talked about communication and promotion, and shared initial thoughts ahead of a review of our formal panel structure later this year.
  • The North Tyneside Living Panel had a presentation from the Neighbourhoods team on their work on estates, talking about the walkabout programme and environmental work. After discussions at previous panel meetings about fire safety, two of our auditors attended to cover more detail on safety requirements.
  • The Estates and Communities Panel received updates on recent and upcoming consultations. After expressing interest at their last meeting, they then talked about our emergency decant process to understand more about it and the considerations made. An update on countering tenancy and application fraud was welcomed by the panel, they were impressed with our approach to this.
  • The Repairs and Investment Panel heard about new energy efficiency requirements and discussed the work that will need to be undertaken to ensure we comply with national standards. They also had a presentation on our empty homes repairs programme, with good feedback on our process and performance.


3. Tenancy Agreement Consultation

All tenants received a letter at the end of September on consultation for the updated Tenancy Agreement. This will direct people to this website for full details and the survey, with paper copies of the consultation documents available at every North Tyneside library. The consultation runs until 15 November. As of 30 September, 111 submissions have been received.


4. Anti-social behaviour focus groups

Ahead of a review of how we handle anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases, and taking into account that our last Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey showed that satisfaction with how we handle ASB could be better, our Community Protection team hosted two focus groups with council tenants and leaseholders in September to get their views. Each one was also attended by Northumbria Police colleagues.Both groups gave very thoughtful feedback, which will help the team improve how we handle cases. The groups were surprised to learn that reported cases in the borough are at their lowest level for five years. There was discussion on perception compared to reality; and the impact of targeted projects to tackle issues in hotspot areas. They then looked at the team’s case handling procedure and felt this was broadly right, but asked if aspects around communication could be strengthened.

A third focus group in October, open to all residents, will discuss anti-social behaviour in open spaces.


5. Annual Report 2025-6

This was published on the Our North Tyneside Voice website, with a text-only version on the North Tyneside Council website.

Printed copies are in the six community hubs and libraries, Killingworth and Quadrant receptions, and are being distributed at in-person engagement activities.


6. Rent statement newsletter

Following feedback from our tenant panels about aspects of the service and support available that they felt was not sufficiently widely known, we included a ‘newsletter’ with the July rent statement. This will continue with future statements.


7. ‘Here to help’ booklet

This booklet, again developed after tenant feedback that not everyone knows about the range of services and support available, has now been printed and is being distributed over the coming months via visits to homes by our Neighbourhoods and gas servicing teams. Copies will also be in our main libraries. It is not designed to replace anything in the new tenant pack, however tenant satisfaction around ‘feeling informed' is a key priority for us and the idea of a printed booklet which can be kept for future reference has gone down extremely well with our tenant panels.


8. Communal blocks information

Postcards to say our Neighbourhoods team has visited to carry out a regular safety inspection have been designed, for the team to leave at every property to make tenants and leaseholders aware that we have visited their block to check it. Key contact and reporting details are also included. This is being complemented by a poster for display in all communal blocks with the same contact information and highlighting advice to keep the block clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.


9. Promotion

We are beginning to produce regular videos for use online and on social media to promote seasonal messages and key support services which tenants can access. These will be produced throughout the year. Social media promotion during July-September has included:

  • July tenant drop-ins
  • Video on the role of the Tenancy and Financial Support team
  • ASB focus groups in September
  • Tenant Satisfaction Measures Survey
  • Operation Coastwatch, tackling anti-social behaviour
  • Safety inspections for homes and communal blocks


10. Actions for October-December

  • Tenant drop-in sessions during November/December at John Willie Sams, Battle Hill Library and Whitley Bay Big Local
  • Anti-social behaviour focus group on 24 October in Whitley Bay
  • Consultation on the Tenancy Agreement runs until 15 November
  • Tenants will be invited to update demographic information and any communication needs as part of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey, running until 15 November
  • Tenant engagement will feature in the council magazine, going out in November
  • Preparation of the next rent statement newsletter, for distribution in January
  • Begin a review of our formal panel structure, with colleagues and a working group of tenant panel members

Here's a summary of what's been going on in the world of tenant engagement and consultation over the last three months, covering July-September.


1. Our North Tyneside Voice website

As of 30 September, 747 tenants are registered on this website. Being registered allows us to contact you whenever there is an opportunity for you to have your say, or provide updates on previous consultation activities. If you're not already signed up, register via the link at the top of your screen.

During July-September, those registered have been sent details of the anti-social behaviour focus groups (see section 4), the council’s annual Big Community Conversation survey, a new page on the site for national consultations and a short survey asking what they would like to know more about – so we can ensure we’re providing tenants with information about things that are important to them.


2. Tenant panels – September

Meeting notes for all panels can be found on the Our North Tyneside Voice website.

All panels receive performance and complaints reports at every meeting. At the September meetings:

  • The Landlord Panel discussed a draft of the new Pet Policy, heard plans for conducting the 2026 TSM survey and had an update on the Unified ICT project. They also talked about communication and promotion, and shared initial thoughts ahead of a review of our formal panel structure later this year.
  • The North Tyneside Living Panel had a presentation from the Neighbourhoods team on their work on estates, talking about the walkabout programme and environmental work. After discussions at previous panel meetings about fire safety, two of our auditors attended to cover more detail on safety requirements.
  • The Estates and Communities Panel received updates on recent and upcoming consultations. After expressing interest at their last meeting, they then talked about our emergency decant process to understand more about it and the considerations made. An update on countering tenancy and application fraud was welcomed by the panel, they were impressed with our approach to this.
  • The Repairs and Investment Panel heard about new energy efficiency requirements and discussed the work that will need to be undertaken to ensure we comply with national standards. They also had a presentation on our empty homes repairs programme, with good feedback on our process and performance.


3. Tenancy Agreement Consultation

All tenants received a letter at the end of September on consultation for the updated Tenancy Agreement. This will direct people to this website for full details and the survey, with paper copies of the consultation documents available at every North Tyneside library. The consultation runs until 15 November. As of 30 September, 111 submissions have been received.


4. Anti-social behaviour focus groups

Ahead of a review of how we handle anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases, and taking into account that our last Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey showed that satisfaction with how we handle ASB could be better, our Community Protection team hosted two focus groups with council tenants and leaseholders in September to get their views. Each one was also attended by Northumbria Police colleagues.Both groups gave very thoughtful feedback, which will help the team improve how we handle cases. The groups were surprised to learn that reported cases in the borough are at their lowest level for five years. There was discussion on perception compared to reality; and the impact of targeted projects to tackle issues in hotspot areas. They then looked at the team’s case handling procedure and felt this was broadly right, but asked if aspects around communication could be strengthened.

A third focus group in October, open to all residents, will discuss anti-social behaviour in open spaces.


5. Annual Report 2025-6

This was published on the Our North Tyneside Voice website, with a text-only version on the North Tyneside Council website.

Printed copies are in the six community hubs and libraries, Killingworth and Quadrant receptions, and are being distributed at in-person engagement activities.


6. Rent statement newsletter

Following feedback from our tenant panels about aspects of the service and support available that they felt was not sufficiently widely known, we included a ‘newsletter’ with the July rent statement. This will continue with future statements.


7. ‘Here to help’ booklet

This booklet, again developed after tenant feedback that not everyone knows about the range of services and support available, has now been printed and is being distributed over the coming months via visits to homes by our Neighbourhoods and gas servicing teams. Copies will also be in our main libraries. It is not designed to replace anything in the new tenant pack, however tenant satisfaction around ‘feeling informed' is a key priority for us and the idea of a printed booklet which can be kept for future reference has gone down extremely well with our tenant panels.


8. Communal blocks information

Postcards to say our Neighbourhoods team has visited to carry out a regular safety inspection have been designed, for the team to leave at every property to make tenants and leaseholders aware that we have visited their block to check it. Key contact and reporting details are also included. This is being complemented by a poster for display in all communal blocks with the same contact information and highlighting advice to keep the block clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.


9. Promotion

We are beginning to produce regular videos for use online and on social media to promote seasonal messages and key support services which tenants can access. These will be produced throughout the year. Social media promotion during July-September has included:

  • July tenant drop-ins
  • Video on the role of the Tenancy and Financial Support team
  • ASB focus groups in September
  • Tenant Satisfaction Measures Survey
  • Operation Coastwatch, tackling anti-social behaviour
  • Safety inspections for homes and communal blocks


10. Actions for October-December

  • Tenant drop-in sessions during November/December at John Willie Sams, Battle Hill Library and Whitley Bay Big Local
  • Anti-social behaviour focus group on 24 October in Whitley Bay
  • Consultation on the Tenancy Agreement runs until 15 November
  • Tenants will be invited to update demographic information and any communication needs as part of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey, running until 15 November
  • Tenant engagement will feature in the council magazine, going out in November
  • Preparation of the next rent statement newsletter, for distribution in January
  • Begin a review of our formal panel structure, with colleagues and a working group of tenant panel members