2011 was a very busy year for us, in many ways. We had numerous training sessions to enable us all to work together and appreciate what has to be taken into account before any changes can be made. We all have very different skills and have used those to help us gel as a team.

In September we carried out a pilot review on the 'Communication Pathway to Complaints'. During the past few months many residents were sent out questionnaires to complete and return, in relation to their experience of accessing the complaints sevice.

Each one of those returned has been analysed by us and all the details (no names) have been put onto spreadsheets to be included in our report. Not only have we analysed your comments/concerns, we have had a number of meetings with staff, senior managers and Board Members and noted their comments of the service too. This takes time, a lot of time and the four of us have finally put together a document that will be presented to the Board of Cosmopolitan Housing Association (CHA) in March, which we will be attending and answering any questions on your behalf. This report will also be made available for residents on request from the Resident Involvement team.

There is a lot to be done and it cannot all be done at once. The merger will see a change in the repairs service as of April 2012 from KHT Services to Trustworks (CDHT's in-house repair service). We feel that Trustworks will need time to settle in and get to grips with the properties being so widespread. Their aim will be to get it right first time, giving what we hope will be a speedier/first class service to us all.

In 2012 residents will see a number of improvements in the services CHA deliver. Cosmopolitan state that "Residents are at the heart of everything they do" let's keep them to their promise and let them know when things aren't right. You might even want to say thank you for a job well done, the choice is yours. Either way, the staff are there to help you in any way they can, talk to them we have met them they are genuinely nice people wanting what is best for you. Be a part of making 2012 a year that brought changes for the better in your area, don't leave it thinking someone else will do it we can all help each other build better communities.

We as a Scrutiny Panel can only address (scrutinise) matters that YOU bring to our attention. So when you recieve a questionnaire from us let us know why you would like changes or what can be done to improve anything in your area/home and we will look into it on your behalf. Remember we are your voice within the heart of CHA so communicate with us; we are there to help make your communities a better place to want to live in.

Recruitment for new members is an ongoing process. In the next few weeks other residents will be joining our Panel, bringing new ideas and giving us that much needed help. Once we have met with the Board we will start on another service area that you have identified and hopefully recommend changes that will benefit all of you in years to come. Thank you for your input however small, it helps us make the right choices on which areas to investigate/scrutinise.`

Cosmopolitan Scrutiny Panel

We are still accepting applications from tenants interested in joining the Scrutiny Panel, for further details please contact the Resident Involvement Team on 0151 224 0204 or email getinvolved@cosmopolitanhousing.co.uk

Update from Cosmopolitan Scrutiny Panel

Cosmopolitan Scrutiny Panel