Hull in print

Tenants and independents who were elected to the city’s Area Housing Boards (AHBs), have gained new skills that will improve the work they do to make Hull a better place for everyone.
On a special course delivered by tutors at Chester’s Trafford Hall, the tenants, together with governance officers, found out more about the roles and powers of AHBs, which were set up last year to improve local housing services and set priorities for action.
New skills which they learned included how to write terms of reference, performance monitoring and how to hold the council accountable for the service it delivers to its customers.
“By getting together and learning from the experts we have a better understanding of how an AHB should work,” said Betty Peck, tenant member for the North Carr AHB.
“We share a common goal on the AHBs and want to see improvements not only in our own areas, but across the city.”
Tish Lamb, chair of the Riverside AHB said: “Workshop sessions gave us the confidence to speak out and express our opinions – something that will be very useful in dealing with the challenging issues that the AHBs may face.”
The course was mainly funded by a grant donated by the Bricknell Estate Residents’ Group (BERG) which organised the course in partnership with the Hull United Residents & Tenants Federation (HURAT).
Val Moore, chair of BERG and member of the Wyke AHB said: “I am delighted that the money we donated has been put to good use and that tenants and residents will benefit from the skills we have gained.”
If you want to know the future AHB meeting times and dates call 300300.

Fighting crime New York style

Hull tenants and residents will have their say in the way offenders pay for crimes

Community Justice: George Brattan was invited to Hull Magistrates’ Court to learn how courts and communities are being brought closer together

George Brattan, chair of the Antisocial Behaviour Service Improvement Group was taken to court at the end of July.
But it isn’t what you think!
George had been invited by the Riverside Area Coordination Team to visit the new community justice court.
Based on a New York scheme, community justice courts allow panels of ordinary people to explain to magistrates how the community was affected by an offender.
This helps magistrates choose the right punishment for the crime. This can include working unpaid on community projects.
“Hull is one of 11 authorities chosen to take part in this new approach and Riverside has been chosen to pilot the scheme in the city,” said George.
Together with other community representatives and magistrates, George, toured the city before visiting the Magistrates’ Court.
“The bus tours gave the magistrates an opportunity to see problem areas and gave them a feel of how people have to co-habit with the criminal side of the area and to see life from our point of view,” explained George.
“But descriptions of criminal activity were balanced by accounts of the positive good work being done by local tenants’ and residents’ groups and the Neighbourhood Watch teams,” he added.
After the tours, the magistrates took the community representatives into their world at the new community justice court.
“They pulled no punches, and told us how it would be for future offenders who arrived in their court. They showed us the workings of the court video links, and gave us time to ask our many questions,” said George.
“I want to give my thanks to all the magistrates who made us feel very welcome and at ease, and to the Riverside Area Coordination Team for inviting me to this special day.”

Community Justice is a way of connecting courts and communities together. It is part of the Government’s agenda to tackle antisocial behaviour and the crime associated with it, by taking justice to the heart of their community.

tenant news in brief

Tenants’ Forum

Hull Housing tenants and residents are being invited to attend meetings of The Tenants’ Forum.
The forum is a group of tenants and residents from across the city who are dedicated to improving Hull Housing services.
Its next meeting is at The Guildhall on Saturday 29 September, between 10am and 1pm, when attendees will hear about plans of the Gateway Pathfinder organisation to improve the quality and choice of housing across Hull.

Gain new skills

Would you like to develop your public speaking skills? Or perhaps brush up on your listening or presentation skills?
Hull Housing is offering courses to tenants and residents plus the chance to get involved in shaping the future of the service.
“We would like to see more people coming forward to get involved.
These courses are a great way for the people of Hull to gain some of the skills that will help them take part,” says tenant participation team leader Sarah Gibson.
“Even for tenants and residents who are already working with us - there might be something on these courses that interests them.”
Training sessions are being organised by the Tenant Participation Team in partnership with Community Network and include:

21 September – What does representation mean?
2 October – Listening skills
6 November – Public speaking skills
14 January 2008 – Committee skills
11 February 2008 – Presentation skills

Places are limited to 20 people per course, booked on a first come first served basis. However further courses may be staged in the future if there is sufficient demand.
To book a place, or for more information, please call tenant participation officer Penny Dixon on 300300.


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