Housing Matters - August 2025
Monday, 4 August 2025
Read the August 2025 edition of Housing Matters.
Do you have the passion to make a difference in your community? Do you want to influence how we run our services?
If your answer is yes, you could be our next Tenant Board Member for the new Landlord Assurance Board.
We’re looking for enthusiastic tenants to join our Landlord Assurance Board and help put tenants’ voices at the heart of everything we do.
What matters to us is that you have a passion to make a difference that benefits tenants and leaseholders. As a member of the Landlord Assurance Board, you will play a key part in shaping how we are run and how we plan for the future, whilst considering what is best for our tenants, leaseholders and communities.
We’re looking for someone who understands the communities we serve and who can use their lived experience to consider the interests of our communities and drive change.
Purpose of the Landlord Assurance Board
The objective of the board is to ensure tenant voices are central in overseeing our compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards. The board will promote safety, service quality, and accountability through timely reporting, collaborative decision-making, and transparent governance.
As a board member you will be able to work as part of a team, sharing our vision, values and commitments, and able to share your views confidently and effectively contributing to service improvements.
Our vision
Central Bedfordshire will be a great place to live and work.
Our values
- respect and empowerment – we will treat people as individuals who matter to us
- stewardship and efficiency – we will make the best use of the resources available to us
- results focused – we will focus on delivering the outcomes that make a tangible difference to people’s lives
- collaboration – we will work closely with our colleagues, customers, partners, and residents to deliver on these outcomes
Previous experience on a board is not essential, but you may have experience of meetings – perhaps in a community or voluntary setting. You will understand social housing and have a view of what great customer service looks like.
You will have the energy and commitment to be able to attend board meetings, either in person or virtually (access to Microsoft Teams) as well as occasional learning and development sessions.
If you live in a Central Bedfordshire Council home as a tenant or leaseholder, and you’re ready to put your hand up and be counted, make a genuine difference and develop your own skills, then get in touch!
The application process and timeline
To apply, please request an application form from tenant.involvement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and tell us why you are applying for the role with examples about how you meet our requirements by the closing date of Monday 18 August 2025 at midday.
After the closing date applications will be shortlisted by Tpas, an independent organisation, against the person specification for the role (PDF).
All applicants are invited to an online drop-in session on 7 August at either 2pm to 3pm or 6pm to 7pm, where you can find out more or ask any questions to enable you to apply for the role. If this is something that you are interested in then please email tenant.involvement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview on 1 or 2 September. The interviews will include Tpas and someone representing us.
Closing date: Monday 18 August at midday.
Time commitment: Meetings will take place every 2 months – so 6 times per year. There may also be training sessions for you to take part in.
We value your time, and each tenant board member will be provided with incentives and reasonable expenses as detailed in the Tenant Membership Policy (PDF).
Keep it safe, keep it sunny
A quick guide to shared outdoor spaces
We don’t want to pour a bucket of cold water over any fun you’re having in the sunshine, but we do need to ask you to think about your neighbours when you’re outside in the communal gardens. Here’s an easy guide to making it a good time for you and everyone else:
Sharing is caring. Have lots of fun out there, but please remember to make some room for everyone who shares the outdoor space.
Please think about the noise, if you’re sitting by a neighbour’s window.
Leaving toys out overnight? It’s the garden version of towels on sunbeds but it’s not just cheeky, it’s also unsafe.
Ash could be all that’s left of a tree if a barbecues catches fire nearby. Please don't light barbecues in the shared outdoor space.
Safety – we can’t say it enough. Water, flames, glass, trip hazards. Make it a safe fun sun time.
Have fun, relax, be kind and keep communal areas clear for all to enjoy.
To chat to one of the team, contact: neighbourhoodhousing@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Meet the Tenant Involvement team
Have a housing query? Come and meet the team!
We have set up hubs where you can chat face-to-face with housing officers on topics ranging from engagement and involvement, repairs, income management, neighbourhood management and tenancy support.
The next drop-in sessions, where you can speak to a member of the team about our services and give your feedback, are:
- Tuesday 12 August from 10am to midday at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, SG17 5TQ in the foyer
- Thursday 14 August from 4pm to 6pm at Leighton Buzzard Library
- Tuesday 19 August from 10am to midday at Dunstable Library
Get involved!
If you would like to learn how you can have your voice heard and influence the way your housing service is delivered, come and talk to one of our team to find out more. Email: tenant.involvement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 6880.
Reminder: you may get a call from Acuity who are carrying out a survey
The survey started in mid-July and will gather feedback on your experience of our repairs service
Acuity will contact a random sample of 85 tenants per month who have recently had a repair made to their home by Wates, our main contractor. This will be by phone, and the team will undertake a survey that should last approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
When will Acuity call?
Calls will be made between 9am to 8pm on weekdays, and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays. The number displayed will be 01582 323045. If you miss the call, you will hear a recorded message explaining that it was related to the survey.
The survey is confidential. Results can be shared anonymously with us if you prefer.
Data protection and quality standards
Acuity adheres to strict data protection rules and quality standards. All calls are recorded for training and quality assurance. They are members of the Market Research Society and comply with the Data Protection Act.
Questions
If you have any queries about any of the survey, please email housinginfo@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call Acuity on 0273 287114. You can also find out more on Acuity's website.
Fire and building safety
Please help keep your building safe for everyone
Building safety is one of our top concerns. Making sure that we service your gas boilers, give advice and treat damp and mould, and keep the walls and roofs sound are a priority. However, there are some steps we need you to take to ensure you remain safe in your homes.
Keep corridors clear
To reduce fire risk and help everyone evacuate safely, communal areas must be always kept clear. Please do not leave shoes, mats, furniture, bikes, pushchairs or other items in corridors or stairwells.
Obstructions can:
- delay evacuation in an emergency
- increase the spread of smoke or fire
- block access for the fire and rescue service
Any items found in communal areas may be removed without notice for safety reasons.
Do not wedge fire doors open
Fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke. Please help keep yourself and those around you safe by making sure you fully close doors behind you and do not prop or wedge them open.
These doors must remain closed at all times unless fitted with an approved automatic hold-open device linked to the fire alarm system.
Keep the building secure
Leaving entrance doors open allows access to anyone. Always check doors are closed behind you to help protect everyone’s safety.
Storage of mobility scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters
To make sure you and everyone else can leave your homes quickly in an emergency, never block exits and doorways with your e-bike, scooter or wheelchair. These vehicles must never be stored in communal spaces, shared areas or corridors and if you live in a flat must always be kept inside your property.
Batteries must be charged safely and never left unattended while charging.
It is vital that you have a working smoke alarm in the area where you keep or charge your electric bikes, scooters, wheelchairs or other items with lithium batteries.
Please contact our repairs department if you live in a flat and your smoke alarm is not working. Please call 0800 0740263 or report an issue online.
Need to report a maintenance issue?
If you notice anything in the building that you consider to be causing a safety or security issue – such as a faulty door closer, damaged floor coverings, or non-working lighting problems – please let us know as soon as possible so we can address the concerns quickly and return full safety to the building.
There is a lot to consider when thinking about remaining safe and preventing incidents. Find out more about building safety. Thank you for your support in keeping your building safe and secure.