Tamworth Borough Council were proud to host its tenants and leaseholders conference 2024 at the assembly rooms in Tamworth on Monday 16 September 2024. It was a full house with over 70 tenants and leaseholders.
Tenants and leaseholders came from all over Tamworth to attend the conference. Some used free transport to and from the venue provided by the council. This meant those who are unable to drive could be given the chance to go.
With the regulator of social housing’s new approach to consumer regulation which came into force from 1 April 2024, the aims of this year’s tenant conference were to put a spotlight on these regulatory changes. It was a good start to rebuilding trust, improving tenant-landlord relationship, whilst continuing to put tenants are the heart of the housing services we provide.
Background
The days agenda included:
- Welcome from Tina Mustafa, assistant director neighbourhoods
- An opening presentation from the council’s chief executive, Stephen Gabriel
- Introduction to tenant consultative group chair, Iris Clements and tenant involvement video
- Two key guest speakers:
- Yvonne Davis, housing regulator expert who provided an update on regulator of social housing new consumer standards
- Linda Moir, former customer care expert for Richard Brandson shared insight into the importance of good customer service
- Celebrating our tenants & leaseholders voice presentation from Tina Mustafa, assistant director for neighbourhoods
- Closing presentation from the council’s leader Carol Dean, and portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning, Ben Clarke
- Question & answer time for tenants and leaseholders
- Exhibition information time with services across housing and external partners including repairs, income team, customer services, supported & sheltered housing, neighbourhood impact, police, fire service, Heart of Tamworth, CIC and more….
Each tenant and leaseholder had a free raffle ticket and a take home goodie bag which includes free donated gifts. Four prizes included £30 gift voucher for Asda and one grand prize of a Samsung tablet.
Set out below is a summary of some of the questions and feedback were received from the tenants and leaseholders during the conference, which were answered by a range of council officers including the chief executive, assistant director for neighbourhoods, director for communities and the leader of the council.
| Summary of tenant & leaseholder questions |
| “How much did this conference all cost?” |
| “Are you going to open a reception area at Marmion House?” |
| “Will you consider energy saving measures for high rise households” |
| “I am partially deaf and accessing the council the best” |
| “We can’t afford to pay the high-rise service charges within the time scales given” |
| “We are still experiencing anti-social behaviour where we live” |
| “The conference was interest and informative, but can we have more content specific to leaseholder” |
Next steps action plan & timetable
Consultation roadshow information
The council will be undertaking consultation with groups of tenants from across Tamworth with the aim of co-producing the new five year ‘tenant involvement and consultation strategy 2025-2030’. The final draft strategy will be presented to cabinet for approval in February 2025.
Council officers are currently preparing the roadshow which will take place throughout November 2024. It will include visits to sheltered housing schemes for older persons, supported housing schemes for younger persons, high-rise living residents’ groups, Eringden for general needs living, and all the existing tenant groups.
Planning the next tenant & leaseholder conference
Starting in summer 2025, council officers will commence plans for preparing for the next tenant and leaseholder conference and will take into consideration the feedback we received during this year’s conference from tenants and leaseholders:
- Having a conference later at night to accommodate those who work during the day in addition to one during the day
- Have more content/presentation specific to leaseholders
- Hold bi-annual conferences due to the cost and time involved
Action plan timetable
As normal, all final plans for the next tenant and leaseholder conference will be subject to the normal council approvals.
| 1. Communication plan – sharing the success of the tenants’ conference 2024 | October 2024 |
| 2. Consultation roadshow - with groups of tenants from across Tamworth with the aim of co-producing is new five year `tenant involvement and consultation strategy 2025-2030`. | November 2024 |
| 3. Planning for next tenants & leaseholder conference | Summer 2025 |
| 4.Seek the normal council approvals - for final plans for next tenant and leaseholder conference | Autumn 2025 |