Did you know that last year the Council made the decision to combine its Housing and Architectural Departments to create a new housing service, Great Yarmouth Community Housing?

The service, which is still part of the Council, has a Director of Community Housing, Denis Gilbert, and a Technical Director, David Frowde.

But it’s not just the name that has changed. In November 2007 a Community Housing Board was formed. The Board, made up of six Council Members, three tenant members and currently one independent member will help agree on the services provided to tenants and how budgets are spent in areas such as repairs and improvements to the housing stock, and is the first time such an approach has been used by any local authority. Board members have completed an induction programme and the first Board meeting has now taken place.

Bernie Poyser, Independent Board member commented “The inductions were really interesting and gave a useful insight into the service and what is expected of us as a Board”.

Other changes are also taking place. Community Housing staff have been working closely with tenant representatives for the last year to create new and better opportunities for tenants and residents to have their say and make suggestions about how services can be improved.

Watch out for the borough-wide Tenants’ Newsletter in March explaining how tenants and residents can get involved, from filling in questionnaires to attending one of the newly created Area Housing Panels that will shortly be meeting in the seven neighbourhoods of the Borough.

“We hope there’s something for everyone in the new tenant participation structure and that people will feel they are able to get involved. We are really excited about the positive changes being made” said Sarah Wilkinson, Tenant Participation Co-ordinator for Great Yarmouth Community Housing.

If you would like more details on how to get involved or are interested in becoming an independent Board member contact the TP team on 01493 846521 or email srw@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

Pictured Bernie Poyser, Independent Board Member and a scene from one of the induction meetings.