‘WORKING TOGETHER 2’ Feedback from a one day event on

Monday 23rd September 2013 at the Molineux Stadium

Our speakers at the event from left to right (front row) Mark Perlic, Wolverhampton City Council (WCC), Ann Guest MBE, Chair of the Wolverhampton Federation of Tenants Associations, Chris Hale WCC, (back row) Nick Crombie, Heantun Housing Association, Michael Gelling TAROE (Tenants and Residents of England), and Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader WCC.

About the day This event was a follow up to the ‘Working to-gether’ event we held last year. It was another opportunity for social housing providers and their

tenants in Wolverhampton to come together to

discuss the challenges we face and to share

good practice. There was representation from

the City Council and 10 housing service provid-

ers.

Presentations Introduction by Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy leader of the Council (see above) We were delighted to welcome back Councillor Bilson. He spoke about the challenges we face in Wolverhampton with the funding cuts and the welfare reforms. He stressed the need to give support to the most vulnerable in society and how we need to grow the economy, regenerate the City and provide new jobs. He said the Federation has an important role to play in: - Supporting its members Pushing for quality housing Pressing the need for additional housing (in particular affordable housing) Bringing people together for debate. Improving the City Housing Offer - Chris Hale WCC Chris spoke about the progress made over the last 12 months and the challenges still ahead. He stressed the need for regeneration of the City, working with partners, the need for bal-anced housing, sustainable neighbourhoods, both welcoming and diverse with good quality housing. He said the key achievements were: Continuation and progress of the Decent

Homes programme for Council tenants

New developments at All Saints and Blakenhall

Proposals to build new Council homes Progress on energy efficiency and in

addressing fuel poverty Development of the constructor partnership

to deliver major investment in Council housing

The new allocations policy Bringing empty properties back into use Promoting better housing standards in the

private sector Reinvigorating the housing strategy and

delivery plan He stressed the need for better intelligence to inform of the issues and so to invest wisely for the future. Housing options—a service providers perspective – Nick Crombie, Heantun HA. Nick (see below) outlined the difficulties ahead for tenants and for service providers. He expressed concerns about: - Loss of rental income with the implications

of the bedroom tax, welfare reforms and benefit cuts

The lack of smaller properties available for tenants who need to downsize

High fuel costs High youth unemployment in the area He highlighted the need for: New housing Quality stock/efficient services/value for

money Support for those most at risk A people centred approach. He said service providers will have to provide additional services to tenants ie to promote the use of bank accounts, and to assist them to manage their budgets and to access the internet. He said the Federation is a key organisation going forward in these difficult times.

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Facing up to welfare reform – Mark Perlic, W’ton City Council Mark spoke about the pressures faced with the introduction of the reforms. He talked about the impact the reforms will have and what the Council is doing to provide help, information and advice to residents and the remedies that are available. He also spoke about Council tax support and the availability of the local discretionary grant scheme and he promoted the Council’s helpline…. Tel: 01902 572009 Michael Gelling from TAROE We were pleased to welcome a good friend of the Fed, Michael Gelling, who gave a brief introduction to TAROE. He then stressed the need to work together to minimise adverse effects of the changes being introduced. He said there needs to be honesty, respect and trust within relationships between service providers and their tenants. He said tenants need to be able to access all information about services and said tenants need to be empowered.

Key issues from the workshops Workshop 1- Welfare reform This workshop was led by Najma Gill from WCC and Anne Herrmann from Wolverhamp-ton Homes (WHs). Keys issues: - The need for more support and guidance

for tenants and residents The need to raise more awareness about

the reforms and their implications That the Fed should take on a campaign-

ing and lobbying role on behalf of tenants in partnership with other organisations.

Workshop 2 - Getting a home that is right for you This workshop was led by Pauline Evans WHs Homes and Nazim Choudhury, Midland Heart HA. Key issues: - The need for suitable homes Advertising all the housing options The need to get people on line to be able to

access the options Workshop 3 - Making best use of land Led by Kenny Aitchison W’ton CC. The key issues were: - The need to progress new build To look at the development of private sites To bring derelict sites back into use by the

exercising of Council powers To look at how to respond to change

whether legislative, financial or demo-graphic by using data etc

The need to provide sustainable housing The role that tenants groups have to play

in housing development. Workshop 4 - Tenants in control This workshop was led by Michael Gelling from TAROE. Key issues: - The need to work together with no hidden

agendas Tenants to understand their rights Tenants to be empowered Tenants involvement to be at the core of

the service provider’s organisation, not an ‘add on’

The need for sustainable tenancies Landlords to look at how many tenants

they actually involve in decision making More tenants to be employed by their land-

lord Michael stressed that there is no financial cri-sis in housing at present. There are no cuts except in development .

YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THE DAY

There were 67 in attendance, of those 37 completed and returned feedback forms. This is what you said: 89% found the quality of the event good or very good 97% felt the day had helped them to be more aware of the issues raised 89% said it had helped to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence 84% said it will help them to get more involved to influence services that they receive. Of those who returned the forms: 37% were male 63% were female 42% said they had a disability 3% were under 35 years of age 28% were 35 to 54 years of age

(Not all questions were answered.)

69% were 55 plus years of age 85% were White British 3% were Irish 6% were Caribbean 6% were Indian

Our thanks to all those who attended for their contributions and thank you to the BIG Lottery – Reaching Communities Programme that funded the event.