Everyone gets a slice of the action
There was a celebratory mood at the TACT* Annual General Meeting, when over 100 tenants, elected members and Council staff packed the Winchester Guildhall to mark the completion of a new Tenant Participation Compact, with bubbly and a celebration cake.
The new TP Compact is an agreement which sets out how Council tenants can take part in decisions that affect their homes and communities with the aim of giving tenants and leaseholders a greater say in the way their housing service is delivered. It is the result of 12 months work by tenants, staff and elected members who have worked tirelessly reviewing and updating the original Compact signed in 2000.
"The first Compact has already brought improvements to tenancy conditions, an increase in the number of Tenants’ Associations and regular meetings to discuss housing issues," says Glynis Cole, the City’s Tenant Participation Manager. "It has also brought involvement in monitoring repairs, rent setting as well as more influence in the decision-making process with tenant representation on Council committees and Cabinet."
Cllr John Steel, a member of the Working Party, declared that the Compact was the result of "100% co-operation" and Working Party Chairman Bryan Whitfield said that it was all about making sure that everybody had a say.
The launch was attended by the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Mrs. Jean Hammerton, who joined Bryan Whitfield, Glynis Cole and Dominic Hiscock, Portfolio Holder for Housing, to cut the special cake.
For further information please contact: Glynis Cole on 01962 848204.
* TACT (Tenants & Council Together) is the district-wide tenant consultative forum.