Join us for our Grounds Maintenance Scrutiny Review

17/08/2026

At Eastlight, residents play an important role in helping us improve our services. One way you can do this is through Resident-Led Scrutiny. Scrutiny gives residents the opportunity to review a service, discuss experiences and make recommendations for improvement. 

This year, Grounds Maintenance was one of the most popular topics chosen by residents through our scrutiny topic survey and was subsequently approved by our Customer Influence Committee as part of the 2026/27 scrutiny programme.

We're looking for up to 24 residents to take part in our Grounds Maintenance Scrutiny Review Day on:

  • Date: Monday 28 September 2026
  • Time: 10:00am to 2:30pm (arrivals from 9:45am)
  • Venue: Eastlight House, Charter Way, Braintree, CM77 8FG 

The review will explore three key questions: 

  • What does the grounds maintenance service include?
  • Is the service being delivered consistently and managed well?
  • How are grounds maintenance issues identified and put right?  

On the day, you'll hear about how the service operates through presentations from staff, review resident feedback and other evidence, discuss what works well and what could be improved, and help develop recommendations for Eastlight to consider. Eastlight will also respond to recommendations on the day. 

Here's a video of our last scrutiny event on our repairs service to give you idea of what to expect.

 

To help keep the review focused, it will not cover: 

  • Service charges and detailed value for money assessments;
  • Communal cleaning;
  • Tree maintenance;
  • Changes to current contract scope or adding new services (recommendation may inform future procurement only)
  • Wider neighbourhood issues such as anti-social behaviour, parking, fly-tipping or other issues not directly related to grounds maintenance. 

Please note: We welcome residents sharing their experiences of the grounds maintenance service, whether positive or negative. However, the review will focus on identifying wider service improvements rather than investigating or resolving individual cases, complaints or service requests during the review. 

We're seeking a diverse range of residents from those renting their home from Eastlight and those living in Housing for Older People Schemes (HFOP) to shared owners and leaseholders. We want residents with lived experience of our grounds maintenance service regardless of whether you've attended a scrutiny event in the past or this is your first time – everyone with the relevant experience is welcome. 

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Free parking is available nearby and residents can request a taxi or reimbursement of reasonable travel costs in the application.

As a thank you for your time, residents attending the event will receive a £50 Love2shop voucher, which can be used with a wide range of retailers, restaurants and supermarkets.

Cant attend in person?

You can still get involved through our Remote Feedback option. You'll receive information and materials about the review and can share your views and experiences to help inform discussions on the day. Residents who complete the remote feedback exercise will receive a £10 Love2shop voucher. 

Apply now

Scrutiny Review Day Application Form

Remote Feedback Application Form

Applications close on 4 September 2026, although applications may close earlier if all places are filled before this date. 

If you have any questions before you apply, please contact Sofiya.Gak@Eastlighthomes.co.uk

What happens next?

Date 

What Happens 

17 August 

Applications open for both the Scrutiny Review Day and the Remote Feedback Option. 

4 September 

Applications close. Please note that applications may close earlier if all available places are filled before this date. 

By 14 September 

We will contact all applicants to let them know the outcome of their application. We will aim to confirm places earlier where possible to help residents plan ahead. 

15 September 

Residents taking part through the Remote Feedback option will receive review materials, information about the service and questions to consider before sharing their feedback. These will be sent over email or post, based on resident’s preference. 

By 21 September 2026 

Residents attending the Scrutiny Review Day will receive further information, including the agenda, travel arrangements (where applicable), housekeeping information and other details about the day. 

28 September 2026 

Grounds Maintenance Scrutiny Review Day takes place at Eastlight House, Braintree.