Help us to be an even better landlord – that was the message to tenants from Great Yarmouth Community Housing at their first ever Community Housing event held at the racecourse on Wednesday 9 April. More than one hundred tenants, representatives from a number of agencies and Community Housing staff heard presentations from the Leader of the Borough Council Councillor Barry Coleman, Tony Wright MP and from Community Housing staff. Also speaking were three tenants, Peter Kirkpatrick, Chairman Rural North Tenants and Resident Association, Reg Taylor, Chairman Halfway House Tenants and Residents Association and Michael Blank, Chairman Neighbourhood Management Board.

After the presentations a number of tenants took the opportunity to visit the information fair and meet the people involved in delivering all aspects of their housing service, as well as other organisations who work along side community Housing. “Today has been very interesting and this kind of meeting is a really good idea” said tenant Nigel Gallant “We as tenants are now feeling more involved and that the Council wants to work with us”.

Following on from the event Great Yarmouth Community Housing is inviting its tenants and leaseholders along to newly created Area Housing Panels.

There will be eight Panels in neighbourhoods throughout Great Yarmouth so everyone will have the opportunity to attend one, meet Community Housing staff and find out more about the changes that have taken place and the proposals for delivering housing services in their area.

As well as giving tenants the chance to have a say in how things can be improved in their own area, each Area Panel will also have the chance to elect a delegate to the Great Yarmouth Tenants Forum which will begin meeting in September.

Speaking after the event at the racecourse, Denis Gilbert, Director of Community Housing said, “the changes that we have made recently in Community Housing give tenants a stronger voice and a bigger part to play in how council housing is managed.  I would encourage all tenants to come along to the Area Panels and find out more about how they can be involved.”

The first of these Area Housing Panels will take place for the tenants and leaseholders of Gorleston Central and Shrublands on the 23 April 2008 at Gorleston Library from 6pm onwards. Tenants and leaseholders can expect to receive a hand delivered invitation from Community Housing.

For more information and the panel date for your area contact the Tenant Participation Team on 846115.