What Are They?
They are a body of tenants each one representing a different constituted body such as a Tenants and Residents Association or street representatives. They are each Chaired by one of the five Tenant Board Members.
Where Do They Cover?
Each Forum covers a geographical area based on the Township boundaries. There are 10 Townships so each Forum will cover 2 Township areas.
Who Attends?
As well as the tenants discussed above there is representation from the Area Housing office, Tenant Participation and the Neighbourhood Anti – Social Behaviour Unit. Other sections or departments are asked to attend on a more ad-hoc basis to discuss issues which can arise. Partner agencies such as the Police may also be invited.
What Do They Do?
The Forums have many roles but specifically they are a communication, consultation, engagement and involvement mechanism demonstrating the links with individual tenants and the Board of the Company.
How Many Meetings Are There?
Each Forum meets six times a year, the week following Strategic Board, two of the six meetings are open meetings were anybody can attend, whilst the other five are limited to the membership. The Forums have agreed not to meet on the same time or day to enable when necessary an officer to attend all five meetings with an issue within the same week.
When Did It Start?
A training and briefing day took place in February 2007, the Forums met their Chairs and other Members discussed and agreed times and various meeting, agenda, code of conduct etc. The first meeting took place during April 2007. This was also used as a training session to help the Forum develop.
Do They Link To Other Existing And Proposed Structures?
Yes, the plan is that the Chair is the Tenant Board Member. The Chair and Vice Chair it is hoped will also be the Area Forums representative at the Township Forums supported by an officer.
What Can The Area Forums Do?
Again the Area Forums can do many things but it is hoped in time they will be one of the mechanisms which assist in developing service delivery. Each Forum has been tasked with identifying between three and five key issues in their area which they want the organisation to work on. Those issues fall with the headings in the Better Neighbourhoods action plan of:
- Cleaner Greener
- Safer and Stronger
- Engaged and Involved
In addition, the Forums can bid for financial assistance for smaller projects from the Better Estates fund; some £18,000 donated by our partner contractors is available this year 08/09. But the Area Forums may be able to bid for other funding in due course. The Forums will move us a step closer towards our vision of Better Neighbourhoods and Brighter futures but more importantly it will assist in the delivery of better services.
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