PR263

For Immediate Release

4 October 2006

Tenant representatives from all over the borough met last week with Councillors and staff from the Housing Management Department to discuss the future of tenant participation in Great Yarmouth.

A lively day of discussion looked at how tenants could have greater involvement in the delivery of housing management services. As well as looking at how far tenant involvement had developed locally, part of the day was spent looking at good practice from around the country, in particular at those Councils that had recently been awarded “beacon status” for improving housing services by involving tenants.

Robert Read, Tenancy Services Manager in the Housing Management Department said, “We want to look at how we can give tenants the opportunity to be involved at a range of different levels which suit them.  Whether it is helping to improve their own local community or bringing them closer to the decision making process in the department, the involvement of tenants can lead to more responsive and higher quality housing services.”

A working group, made up of Councillors, staff and tenants, will explore the issues in greater detail and consult further with tenants before making recommendations about the way forward.

Currently the forum for involving tenants, the Partnership Agreement Monitoring (PAM) Group meets every two months and gives tenants the opportunity to air their views about how things are run. The aim of the review will be to look at how tenants can be brought closer to the key decision making process.

PAM Group Chairman, Malcolm Bowles of the Shrublands Tenants and Residents Association welcomed the opportunity for greater involvement with the Housing Department and urged more tenants to get involved. “Nothing but good can come from a genuine partnership between tenants and the Council. When we get together it is an opportunity to say where we think things are not working well but also learn from where they are. Participation is definitely the future.”

Cllr Sue Lawley, Cabinet Member for Communities said: "It is clear from looking at the achievements of the Beacon Councils, that where tenant involvement works well it can bring significant benefits to all.”

For further information contact Robert Read, Tenancy Services Manager on 01493 846279.

Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513