STROUD District Council is celebrating a national award for its “highly valued” work with tenants.

The council has been recognised for the high standard of its work with tenant groups which scrutinise its services.

It is the second year running that the council’s housing service has passed the selection process to gain the Housing Quality Network award - and SDC is the only council to hold the award.

Some aspects of its practices were deemed so good that the awarding body recommended that they were showcased to other social housing providers.

Sue Farrant of HQN said: “The most striking and commendable feature of co-regulation at Stroud is the way in which tenants, councillors and officers work together to solve problems and improve the quality of housing services.”

Areas of good practice highlighted by HQN included constructive engagement between officers, councillors and tenants; a recognised tenant complaints panel; and tenants having a direct role in shaping the delivery of services.

Ian Allen, a tenant who chairs Stroud Council Housing Forum, said: “This award shows just how much the council pays attention to its tenants, and that improves the quality of life of everyone in the area. It goes to prove that the council and its tenants are on the same side.”

Any tenant who would like more information as to how they could become more involved in co-regulation should contact the Resident Involvement Team on 01453 754102.