BARNSLEY FEDERATION OF TENANTS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS
“Working together
to promote shared
values
in the
interest of all Barnsley Tenants and Residents”
Implementing Social Housing Reform –
Directions to the
Social Housing Regulator'
South
Yorkshire Tenants and Residents Network have responded to the Department of
Communities and Local Government Consultation ‘Implementing Social Housing
Reform – Directions to the Social Housing Regulator'.
The government consultation ends on 29th September 2011.
Views of tenants and residents were compiled following a special workshop attended by 36 tenants and residents on Tuesday 30th August 2011 at Barnsley Tenants Resource Centre. A wide variety of views and opinions were shared amongst everyone present at this meeting around tenure, powers of scrutiny, tenant panels and 'affordable rents' and these views are compiled below.
The Network understands that this is the biggest shake up in social housing in 50 years and it aims to create a fairer system that devolves power from the state to the tenants and residents. Network members firmly believe that by South Yorkshire tenants working together it provides a good opportunity to get our opinions across and to influence what happens in the future. As a network, we are in favour of the devolution of power as long as it is managed correctly in line with strict guidelines. A fairer system is always welcomed but we have concerns around the implementation of it and the effect it may have on certain sectors of our communities.
In particular, South Yorkshire Tenants and Residents Network supports the
continuation of lifetime tenancies. Security of tenure ensures a council
house is not just a house but a home. We believe that allowing tenants to
have a secure ‘lifetime’ tenancy without stipulations on tenancy period will
ensure that communities will be sustainable and will work towards the ‘Big
Society’ ethos and the principles of
the Localism Bill.
South Yorkshire Network of Tenants and Residents are an informal alliance of
Barnsley Federation, RotherFed, Doncaster Federation of Tenants and
Residents and tenants and residents from Sheffield.The final document was
signed by Joan Whittaker Chair of Barnsley Fed, Andy Kerr Chair of Doncaster
Federation and Peter Collins Chair of RotherFed