It is to be offered premises and funding, and talks are under way to gain premises for local residents’ associations. Nineteen groups are already on board, and more are waiting to be formally established.
Coordinator Eric Wedge said some tough decisions on demolitions and the future of the stock lay ahead.
He said: “We have got to work in partnership with the council. The view so far is that people want to look at management co-ops.
“The federation has had a long, hard slog but we have achieved more in four weeks than in the last four years.”
Community services executive member Chris Jarvis added: “We must devolve our participation budget to help the federation do its job effectively. There are lots of decisions to make in the next few months and we will be looking to the federation to advise us.”
In Liverpool, the tenants’ federation has regained £330,000 over three years. Its cash was cut by the council two years ago in a dispute over representation of local organisations.
Under a new agreement, the federation will monitor service delivery to the council’s 38,500 tenants. Its support will be extended to the city’s housing association tenants.
The council is urging any local tenants’ groups with outstanding grant or expenses claims dating back to April 2000 to put in an application immediately.
Federation spokeswoman Pat Maddocks said: “The council thought it could get rid of us three years ago but we are still here. Be under no illusion – they still want rid of us.” The federation will hold elections for a new board of directors.
Liverpool’s executive member for housing, Richard Kemp, said: “A strong voice for tenants will help us improve our housing services and make sure we are delivering the kind of services tenants want and expect.
“They will have an important role in monitoring the quality of services we provide.”
Source
Housing Today
No comments yet