The key to our future

March sees the publication of the revised document 'The Key to our Future: Hull City Council Tenant Compact and Involvement Strategy,' the agreement between the council and council tenants.
Written by tenants, the document now includes updated forms and policies and even more ways in which tenants can be involved and influence the housing service.
"The Compact was put together in 2004 by the tenants of Hull and all involved signed it," says Betty Peck, chair of the Tenants' Forum.
"It's our guide and we stick to the eight principles developed by those tenants.
The Compact includes very valuable guidelines, so we can clearly see the right way to do things.
The three yearly revision means that the Compact will always stay relevant."
Anyone who wants a copy of the document should ring 300300 and ask to speak to a member of the Tenant Participation Team.

Britain's tenants talk The independent Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is developing draft standards for council homes which, once approved by parliament, will be in use by 2010. These standards ensure social landlords deliver high quality services to their tenants and monitor how well landlord organisations are run. A countrywide consultation, known as 'the National Conversation', will help to build a picture of matters that are important to tenants. If you would like to take part in this consultation exercise, contact the Tenant Participation Team on 300300 or visit the TSA website at www.nationalconversation.co.uk/home.aspx

tenant news in brief

Tenants' Forum The next Tenants' Forum meeting is on Thursday March 19 from 1.30 - 4.30pm at the Guildhall. The guest speaker is a representative from the Supporting People Service, which helps people in need. If you want to attend, call 300300 to book your place. New members are always welcome. CVS Grants Hull CVS administers grants schemes which support local voluntary and community organisations, such as tenants' and residents' associations. One such scheme is the Grassroots grant which could fund your existing work or activities, or something new. For further details about their current grant programmes visit www.hullcvs.org.uk or contact their grants administrator by ringing 324474. TARA notice board Tell us what's happening Help fill this space with your community groups' or tenants' and residents' association (TARA) events news, by sending to FREEPOST NEA 11619, Tenant News Notice Board, Hull City Council: Housing, Hull, HU1 3BR or by email to: tenant.resident@hullcc.gov.uk Meetings, meetings, meetings Arcon Drive and Lindsey Place Residents' Association's next meeting is at White Lees Court, Arcon Drive, at 2pm on Friday March 27. Everyone welcome. New Bilton Grange Residents' Association's AGM takes place Tuesday April 7, at 7pm at St. Philip's Church Hall, Amethyst Road, Bilton Grange. All welcome. Did you know? That if you or someone you know has been bitten by a loan shark, confidential help and advice is available from the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222 or email stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk

Tenants' Forum pick a Peck

Since retiring, Betty Peck, chair of the Tenants' Forum, has never been so busy... and she loves every minute of it!
"After a couple of years of retirement I decided I had to do something," says Betty.
"So when I received a leaflet about getting involved with the housing service in 2004, I rang the telephone number and have never looked back."
Since then, Betty has joined the Tenants' Forum, seven service improvement groups (SIGs) and a Contractor Core Group and has also been elected as a tenant member of the North Carr Area Housing Board, attending council overview and scrutiny committee meetings when necessary.
She also attends training courses, like the Housing Academy.
"Lots of other local authorities want to copy our Housing Academy course," continued Betty.
"Hull is a leader in a lot of things as far as housing goes, but we don't blow our own trumpet enough."
Her involvement has not stopped at attending meetings and courses.
Betty has also delivered speeches at conferences, standing in front of housing professionals to explain what she and other tenants are doing in Hull to improve services.
As Betty became more involved, her self confidence grew as each role she undertook offered her more knowledge, skills and different challenges; the latest being chair of the Tenants' Forum.
"It's an interesting role and so far I have enjoyed it.
It involves listening to people and being the tenants' champion.
I chair the monthly SIG chairs and vice chairs meeting, set the agenda for the monthly Forum meetings and offer moral support and advice to the SIGs." Betty laughs: "The most difficult part of the role is making sure that the meetings keep to timescales."
Betty's hopes for the future include a closer Area Housing Board and Forum relationship, "It is a complementary relationship – each benefits the other," says Betty.
"Personally, I would like to see a member from each Area Housing Board attending the monthly Forum meetings.
This will give them the opportunity to put their questions directly to the Forum." When Betty isn't involved in tenant business, she volunteers at her local school helping pupils with their reading, visits her daughters in London, attends army events with her two sons and in September her youngest grandson is moving in – when he starts his computer engineering course at the University of Hull.
"I have enjoyed these last four years and I have no intention of giving up," says Betty.
"I might slow down – but I won't stop!"

You said You wanted us to offer training opportunities to people who volunteer to give them sufficient skills to find work. We did In late 2008 the housing service officially launched the Volunteer Development Programme. This allows volunteers to tailor their volunteering experiences and offers them the opportunity to take part in registered training courses, improving their chances of finding work.

Your STARter for ten (help STAR to help you) The Supporting Tenants' and Residents' Associations (STAR) team is seeking material for its quarterly newsletter. STAR wants the newsletter to be your TARA's opportunity to publicise meetings and events, or share experiences, by writing an article or submitting photographs. If you have anything you would like including in their newsletter, please send it to the contact details at the end of this item. The team would also love to meet more TARA representatives to see how they can help. "We can offer a range of services to TARAs, including the use of our meeting rooms, but we really want you to tell us what support you need," says service co-ordinator James Russell. Ring STAR offices on 485918, email star@goodwin-centre.org, or visit STAR at the Hooper Building, Guildhall Road, Hull.