Tenants help shape the future of area’s housing

May 27 2009 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

NORTH Lanarkshire Council is in the process of developing a new tenant participation strategy.

It will be the third strategy produced and the aim is to enable tenants to have real opportunities to become involved in the decision- making processes of housing and social work services.

The new strategy will reflect North Lanarkshire’s commitment to developing effective consultation and participation.

It will set out what the council are planning to do to enable and support tenant participation over the next three years.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 sets out the Statutory Right for Participation and the requirement for local authorities and registered social landlords to have a tenant participation strategy in place.

The new strategy is a good opportunity for tenants and other stakeholders to get more involved in their housing service.

And North Lanarkshire Council are urging renants to let them know what issues matter to them.

A survey has been issued to all registered tenants organisations and tenants groups and the feedback will be used to help identify the key issues the new tenant participation strategy should address.

Local groups and registered tenant organisations will also have the opportunity to have an input into the development of the new strategy via focus groups which will be conducted by North Lanarkshire Council in partnership with the Tenants Information Service (TIS).

If you would also like to comment on the current tenant participation strategy 2006-2009, please contact Laura Lindsay, communications co-ordinator, tel: 01698 274143 or e-mail her on Lindsayla@northlan.gov.uk.

It is anticipated to have a draft strategy in place by June 2008.

The draft strategy will be published on the council's website at www.northlan.gov.uk.

Tenants and interested parties may also obtain a draft copy of the strategy by contacting Laura Lindsay.

All feedback received will be used to shape the final strategy which is formulated by the council.