Tenant participation agreement signed
Winchester City Council's Cabinet has approved a new Tenant Participation Compact that sets out how council tenants can take part in decisions that affect their homes and community.
The agreement - an update of the original Compact signed in September 2000 -covers the overall approach to tenant involvement throughout the Winchester district.
"The Compact is the result of 12 months work by tenants, staff and elected members who have worked tirelessly reviewing and updating it. The aim is to give tenants a greater say in the way housing services are delivered, and identify new opportunities for involvement," said Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Cabinet portfolio holder for housing.
He said there was a very good relationship between the tenants and there were many examples of what the Compact signed in 2000 has achieved. These include improvements in the tenancy conditions, an increase in the number of tenants associations, and regular meetings to discuss housing issues. There is also involvement in monitoring the repair service, and extra influence in the decision-making process with tenant representation on the Housing Performance Improvement Committee and Cabinet.
As part of the Compact a 26-point action plan has been drawn up that includes training, an information display, financial support of recognised tenants groups, and encouraging and helping tenants associations to develop a strategy based on local needs and issues within their own community.