Councils stand accused of divide and rule tactics as they bid to launch their tenant compacts.
The accusation comes after Leicester Tenants’ Federation urged housing minister Nick Raynsford to reign in councils that have threatened to withdraw funding in favour of the new compacts.

Tenants and Residents Organisation of England treasurer Gary Glover said federations were being frozen out in favour of council-dominated compacts.

"It’s just a classic case of divide and rule because tenants are dispersed all over the place, without federations they lose a borough-wide voice." he said.

"At the end of the day the compact is a joint effort between the authorities and tenants, but it should be tenants leading it and not local authorities."

He added that federations in Leicester, Liverpool, Lewisham and Islington are all concerned about their future roles.

An Islington federation spokeswoman said: "At this moment in time we have no agreement with the council whatsoever."

Leicester council met this week to consider ending its federation’s £33,000 per year funding. An organisation to run the compact is planned with six employees at a total cost of £100,000.

Federation chair Christine Cronogue said: "We were supposed to be equal partners with the council but we have been dictated to."

The federation agreed to independent advice and the council employed consultants TPAS to work on the compact proposals.

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Mary Draycott denied bias saying the new compact would be an improvement for tenants: "I think this will actually strengthen tenant participation," she said.

"I realise that withdrawing money from the federation will have an effect on it, but I think we have to move forward. The federation does still have a role. It does have finance from elsewhere."

Source

Housing Today