ISSUE 41 SEPTEMBER 2016
East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel Newsletter
ELTRP ANNUAL CONFERENCE 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN PORT SETON COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM 6.30PM – 8.30PM FIND OUT WHAT OUR LOCAL GROUPS ARE UP TO! DETAILS INSIDE
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ELRP ANNUAL CONFERENCE 3
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS SURVEY
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NEW FACES AT ELTRP
TIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016
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VISITING THE BRIDGES PROJECT
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LOCAL GROUPS UPDATE
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NEW GROUP POSSIBILITIES 14 AREA PARTNERSHIP UPDATES 15-16
JOIN TIS
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BE PART OF ELTRP
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EVENTS REVIEW
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COPY DATES
TENANTS SURVEY
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NEW WEBSITE
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COMMENTS? COMPLIMENTS? COMPLAINTS? 23 CONTACT US
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SEPTEMBER 2016
ELTRP ANNUAL CONFERENCE This year ELTRP are holding their Annual Conference on Wednesday 14th September 2016 at the Port Seton Community Centre from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Councillor Norman Hampshire will be launching East Lothian Council’s Tenant Participation Strategy. The strategy sets out the way in which tenants can get involved in influencing decisions within the Council. Tenants groups from all over the county will be showcasing the work that is happening in their local communities. Muirpark and Steading View Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) will show a video of their work highlighting their community garden and APOGI project. Wingate TRA will tell everyone about their innovative Helping Hand initiative This is all tenant participation in action!
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016 14TH SEPTEMBER, 6.30PM – 8.30PM PORT SETON COMMUNITY CENTRE Cllr Norman Hampshire will launch the 2016+ TENANT PARTICIPATION STRATEGY East Lothian Council, working with ELTRP, aims to make tenant participation accessible and inclusive to all tenants. We promote participation, develop scrutiny and empower tenants.
ARE WE ACHIEVING OUR AIMS? Come along, give us your feedback, hear about the new strategy and find out what our tenants groups have been doing this past year. PRESENTATIONS FROM: MUIRPARK & STEADING VIEW TRA – THE ‘APOGI’ PROJECT WINGATE TRA – ‘HELPING HANDS’ AND MANY MORE!
Book your place now! Contact the ELTRP office T: 0131 665 9304 E: tenantspanel@hotmail.com 3
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LANDLORDS REPORT TO TENANTS Last year all tenants received a copy of East Lothian Councils performance report to tenants. The time has come for the council to once again publish their report to tenants. ELTRP would like to hear your views of last year’s report and hear what information you would like to see in this report.
SAY HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE! ELTRP Executive Committee has welcomed two new members of staff to their office in the last couple of months. Sue Cairns Outreach Officer and Juliet Swann, Admin Officer, are both employed by the Tenants Information Service (TIS). They joined Development Officer Patsy King to assist in supporting ELTRP to carry out its role as the umbrella organisation for all tenants and residents groups in East Lothian. Sue has the responsibility of supporting and developing local tenants and residents groups and area partnership tenant representatives.
Juliet Swann
Sue Cairns
PROCUREMENT ELTRP were involved in the procurement process for the face to face comprehensive survey 2016. 1700 homes will be visited to complete the survey. Three firms were involved in the process. The firm chosen was Knowledge Partnership. 4
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BRUNTON COURT TENANTS GROUP Brunton Court Tenants Groups have a core, active and engaged group of tenants. They have had a great year with many activities and actions taken forward from the tenants of the complex.
For more information please contact ELTRP on 0131 665 9304
Earlier in the year a Daffodil Tea was organised with other sheltered housing complexes being invited, and a Strawberry Tea took place in July . Recently the group have organised a ‘Fish and Chip’ tea for September, a visit to the Kelpies in November and a Christmas Party for December! Wow, they are kept extremely busy! A weekly Bingo Club takes place on a Monday afternoon and an Arts and Crafts group on a Wednesday afternoon. Pat MacRae, Chair, attends the Local Housing Partnership meeting and has secured agreement for the parking bays in front of the building to be widened for easier access for the tenants and visitors. The Group held their AGM on Thursday 1st September.
Brunton Court Tenants Group 5
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COCKENZIE WEST TRA THE GROUP HAS ACHIEVED MANY SUCCESSES SINCE IT OFFICIALLY STARTED IN 2012. CWTRA have had the drains replaced where necessary and cleaned. All the pavements have been lowered especially at corners to allow access for prams, buggies and disabled people. The larger potholes in the roads have been filled in and the lamp posts numbered so that they can be identified more easily when repairs are necessary. We ran “20’s plenty” in our area and the indications are that only two vehicles exceeded this limit when the roads were tested. We carried out a street survey and most of the smaller items have been attended to by ELC. Our Play Park has been upgraded and is now used by people within and outwith the area. CWTRA continue to have regular meetings and are always looking for new members to join the group and take the community issues forward.
For more information please contact Larry on larryt.working@btinternet.com
Whin Park play area 6
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ELPHINSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (ECA) SO WHAT HAVE THE ECA BEEN UP TO? Well, we’re still actively trying to make a difference in our community in relation to the speeding traffic issue. We’re also doing what we can to help facilitate better access to the Elphinstone Community Centre, so more groups and classes can be held in the centre for the community of Elphinstone. On a more lighter note, we’ve been planning and organising this year’s Elphinstone Village Fair. This will be the second year we’ve run the Fair and we know that this year’s one will be the biggest yet. Each and every one of the ECA committee have done what they can to help deliver this for our community, and I can safely say that they have all done a magnificent job. With everything the ECA is involved in there’s really too much to cover in this panel news, so we’ll keep you updated as the year goes on. Thanks
Stuart MacKenzie,Chair, Elphinstone Community Association. Please contact Stuart on elphinstonecommunity@outlook.com
Elphinstone Village Fair 7
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HADDINGTON EAST TRA Ron Goldie has now been in the role of Chair for nearly 6 months and he is enjoying every moment. There is a core group of attendees including committee members and members of the local community who have an input in how this group is taken forward. In July the group invited John Thomson and Joe Caballero, Recycling Advisors who delivered a really informative presentation on recycling with various questions and discussions taking place within the group. Group members have also been part of the Estate Inspection process and tangible changes have been achieved through this process. Currently the Action Plan is being updated and at a recent meeting it was agreed HETRA would explore developing a mental health facility in Haddington. HETRA are still looking for a Secretary for the group; and they are always looking for new members of the community to come along, get involved and have their say at the monthly meetings.
For more information please contact Ron on ron.goldie@yahoo.co.uk
JAMES COURT James Court have been active for over one year now and during this time have engaged with the community to explore various options for the local community. JCTG have organised a litter pick, been involved in the Estate Inspection process, explored the fencing in the area and liaised with the Anti Social Behaviour Team to create a safer, community based environment for the families that live in the community. James Court Tenants Group wish to continue and take forward the concerns and ideas of their local community. They are currently looking for new members to come on board and have their voices heard to change their community to benefit all who lives there.
For more information please contact Stuart on stuartgd@hotmail. co.uk
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HADDINGTON WEST TRA Haddington West TRA have been going for over one year and within this time have achieved a great deal. After listening to the views of the local community, they succeeded in securing ÂŁ25,000 funding for the development of a local Playpark at Davidson Terrace. This project has been extremely successful with many families using the play park on a daily basis. There has been a lot of positive feedback and the final smaller pieces of work ie. fencing etc will be completed very soon. Chairman, Kevin Wilson would like to thank all the Committee Members who volunteer on a regular basis and work really hard to support each other and take the views of the community forward. The Committee would like to also thank the local community for their support and to Lemac, East Lothian Council, East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel and the Tenants Information Service for all their valuable input and support.
Members of the Committee also attend the Local Housing Partnership meetings and the local CAPP meetings whereby the views of the local community are shared to enable local initiatives to be taken forward and issues identified and resolutions explored. HWTRA have also been involved in the Estate Inspections and worked with the Housing Department to address issues that have arose through this process. In working with ELC and other partners HWTRA works to the principles of trust, respect and sharing solutions to common problems.
The views and the support of the community are vital to our future as a community based group so don’t delay get in touch today!
HWTRA 9
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LAW RESIDENTS GROUP Working with East Lothian Council via the Local Area Housing Partnership and Local estate Inspections, Law Residents Group have successfully progressed / completed a number of projects. The garage area on Dundas Road has been resurfaced with further improvements currently under discussion and the footpaths have been replaced in Gilbert Avenue. Currently we are working with ELC to remove the chicane in Glenburn Road at the Aldi end, in order to increase parking in the area.
We are always looking for new members, do contact ELTRP on 0131 665 9304 for more information
Law Residents Group
MANSFIELD COURT Mark Ormiston, Chair of ELTRP and Sue Cairns, Outreach Officer have visited Mansfield Court on a couple of occasions over the past couple of months, with a view to supporting the tenants to start a Group to address some of the concerns they have. Mark and Sue will send a questionnaire to all the tenants to see who wishes to participate and if they wish to develop a group.
For more information please contact ELTRP on 0131 665 9304 10
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MUIRPARK & STEADING VIEW TRA After a busy period working on the APOGI project, MSVTRA are starting to imagine what they might do next. Many hands make light work, so if you’re interested, do get in touch. We can offer support and assistance and it’s up to you how much time you give to the group.
For more information please contact Claire on muirparktra@hotmail.co.uk
APOGI Opening Ceremony 11
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TRANENT WEST TRA Tranent West Tenants and Residents Association have continuously campaigned on local issues, pushing for actions and solution and working in partnership with East Lothian Council and other local agencies. Currently TWTRA are campaigning fiercely to improve the parking issues along the Elphinstone Road /John Crescent/ Caponhall and raise the awareness of the negative impact these issues have on the local community. Currently they are working closely with the local community, East Lothian Council and ELTRP to find a solution to the various issues raised. TWTRA are also involved in campaigning to change New Row to a one way system to help reduce the parking issues and congestion issues on this road, which may have a positive knock on effect on the Elphinstone Road. As always TWTRA are involved in the local Estate Inspections, influencing local Police at the regular CAPP meetings and attending the local Housing Partnership and Area Partnership meetings.
Please contact ELTRP on 0131 665 9304 for more information.
OLDCRAIGHALL RTA The small band of members of ORTA continue to maintain grass verges, hedging and looking after the eight large barrels that now contain some lovely flowers courtesy of Mark McGrath at ELC. We as a group are looking to try and reduce the amount of hours we spend grass cutting and are hopeful that in the next few weeks approaches to local large business may be rewarded with a petrol lawnmower that would drastically reduce the workload. We continue to monitor the speed of vehicles and are concerned that the speed reactive sign is not having the desired effect. We are also looking to puts some shrubs and flowering plants into some of the grass verges and are applying to Grab-a-Grant to fund a large bulb plant programme – Stuart Thomson, Secretary
For more information please contact oldcraighallrta@gmail.com
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SEPTEMBER 2016
WINDSOR PARK TRA Congratulations to Windsor Park TRA who are celebrating 20 years of community involvement. During the years WPTRA have influenced and campaigned for the resurfacing of roads in the area, lowering of fences between Linkfield Road and Windsor Park, and the renewal of shrubberies and a general tidy of the back gardens. The most successful achievements of bringing the community together are the numerous Street Parties they organised, not least, the Street Party for the Queen’s Birthday Celebrations in June of this year where they celebrated their 20 years of being a TRA. Again, it was a great success and everyone enjoyed WPTRA Birthday Cake the celebration and on such a beautiful, sunny day. A big thank you to the local community for their support. On Saturday 27th August they will have a table outside the Farm Shop along the Pinkie Road for people to find out more and get involved. They are always looking for more people to come on board and have their voices heard so we can make the appropriate changes to benefit the whole community.
For more information, please contact Jeanette Boyd on 0131 665 1293
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GENERAL All of the Tenants and Residents Groups in East Lothian are volunteers and work extremely hard to promote community participation and get as many people involved as possible. All of these TRAs would be happy for more people to become involved and there are spaces for people to take on specific roles such as Secretary, Vice Chair and even the role of Chair in some areas. ELTRP offer various training sessions including minute taking, the various roles and responsibilities of running a group, how can TRAs influence Local Housing Partnerships and Area Partnerships, Tenant Scrutiny, Scottish Social Housing Charter, How to develop an Action Plan, Group Dynamics and much, much more..........
So we are always there to support you... We are currently exploring options to start a Wimpey group in Musselburgh, a new group in Stoneybank covering a wider area, and also the possibility of a group in Beach Lane, Musselburgh. We are also aware that some areas in East Lothian are not represented with a Tenants and Residents group for example, Wallyford, Whitecraig, Prestonpans and so on, and if anyone wishes to explore this further Sue Cairns, Outreach Officer is more than happy to support new groups in any way she can.
For more information about any of the groups or generally please call Sue Cairns, Outreach Officer on 0131 665 9304.
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SEPTEMBER 2016
AREA PARTNERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE MEETINGS In 2014 six Area Partnerships were set up across East Lothian as the ‘local voice’ of East Lothian Partnership. These are the areas with the current active Tenants and Residents groups:
Fa’side Area:
Dunbar and East Linton Area:
»» Elphinstone Community Association
»» Dunbar Shore and Harbour
»» Muirpark Steading View TRA
»» James Court TRA
»» Ormiston West TRA
»» Monksmuir Community Association
»» Tranent West TRA
»» Wingate TRA
Musselburgh Area: »» Brunton Court Tenants Group
Haddington and Lammermuir Area:
»» Goose Green TRA
»» Bolton Steading TA
»» Oldcraighall RTA
»» Haddington East TRA
»» Windsor Park TRA
»» Haddington West TRA
Preston Seton Gosford Area
North Berwick Area:
»» Cockenzie West TRA
»» Law Residents Group »» Lime Grove TRA
Area Partnerships aim to strengthen links between communities, area-based services and East Lothian Partnership. They aim to be an opportunity for people within these local communities to contribute to the decision making process and have their voices heard to make a real, positive difference in their everyday lives. Area Partnership’s main responsibility is to develop a strategic-level Area Plan, linked to the priorities in The East Lothian Plan, which includes Tenant Participation and the new Tenant Participant Strategy which will be launched at the ELTRP Annual Conference on the 14th September 2016. Area Partnership Membership includes: the Councillors for the ward(s), representatives from Community Councils, Tenants and Residents Associations and Parent Councils, key local groups and young people, or in some cases links to young people through local schools and youth centres. There are also various sub groups which identify specific issues to be explored for example, ‘on the move’, ‘children and young people’, ‘health and wellbeing’ where members of the public can feed into these groups.
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The Outreach Officer, in conjunction with the current groups in East Lothian, has organised various meetings within the different Area Partnership areas to review how the Area Partnership is working for the TRAs to date, and to explore the current representation within the groups. To date we have held three x meetings with Haddington and Lammermuir Area, Musselburgh Area and Fa’side Areas. The Area Partnership Managers have been extremely supportive in this process both to Tenants Information Service (TIS) and East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel (ELTRP).
The outcomes: »» Generally these meetings confirmed that the Area Partnership has been successful with TRA engagement and involvement in the overall area plans and various subgroups »» There are two x TRA representatives per area and two x substitute representatives per area. All the groups are aware of who their representatives are and how to contact them. »» It is suggested that two x meetings per annum take place for all East Lothian Area Partnership representatives to share and discuss experiences. Meetings are still to take place in the Dunbar and East Linton area; North Berwick and Preston Seton and Gosford area may attend the East Lothian wide meetings. I think it is important to point out at this point that all the time and energy by the groups is voluntary and I would like to say a BIG thank you to all who attended these meetings for their time, input and creativity to find a beneficial way forward for everyone.
SCRUTINY VOLUNTEERS We are always looking for scrutineers to help us test our housing services and identify where we need to make improvements. If you would like some more information about tenant scrutiny or are interested in getting involved then please get in touch with Deborah Piner on 01620 827 526, email dpiner@ eastlothian.gov.uk or Patsy King in the ELTRP Office.
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BURNS SUPPER ELTRP held a late Burns Supper in February at the Brig Inn in Tranent. This was held to consult with tenants on the East Lothian Council Draft Tenant Participation Strategy. The night started with the address to the strategy from James Coutts, Service Development Manager from ELC. Mark Ormiston, chair of ELTRP replied with a version of a toast to the strategy. Liz Wardhaugh, Vice Chair of ELTRP continued with a reply from the lassies. Two members gave their personal experience of taking part in scrutiny exercises. Everyone had a lovely supper of haggis, neeps and tatties and all had a great night.
Burns Supper & TP Strategy Consultation
ROAD SAFETY PLAY The road safety play was held on the 11th September 2015 in the Ravelston Hotel Musselburgh, and was again great to see, giving insight into grief and the causes of drink driving. It was performed by the Theatreand Company. All the actors and actresses gave great performances, some playing more than one part. Members from TRAs throughout the ELTRP area were present. Mark Ormiston 17
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WEBSITE REFRESH! ELTRP is pleased to announce that we’ve given our website a makeover! We’re still adding content and we’re keen for feedback so do let us know what you think. We will soon have a contact page for every local tenants and residents group, and we want to make sure we have regular blog posts. If you have any news or an event you want to share, just let us know and we can add it to the website as well as sharing on our facebook page and on twitter. The website is at www.eltrp.co.uk and you can find us on facebook and twitter @EastLothianTRP.
The new ELTRP website
TRAINING In order to support our groups, individual tenants, and residents, we at ELTRP want to find out what training sessions you think would be beneficial to you and your groups. In light of this, we are asking you to complete a survey so we know what sessions you would like to attend. You can either complete the survey online via the link on our website www.eltrp.co.uk or complete the form enclosed with this edition of Panel News. From your feedback we will create a Training Programme for 2017.
Please complete the survey by the end of October 2016.
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SEPTEMBER 2016
TIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE. FRIDAY 10TH- SUNDAY 12TH JUNE AT THE WESTERWOOD HOTEL, CUMBERNAULD. The 2016 TIS Conference was a good three days with workshops and visits on Saturday 11th. The Muirpark and Steading View TRA gave a presentation, also on the 11th, describing the APOGI project they had worked on. This was a video of slides showing the progress made from the first idea through to the opening ceremony. This received a great reception from everyone in the hall. The highlight of the weekend was a gala dinner for the presentation of the National Excellence Awards. Wingate TRA were in the final three for a Community Development Award. Unfortunately they didn’t win, but they were in the final three for the whole of Scotland. ELTRP were also up for an award for their work in Estate Inspections, again they didn’t win the award, but it was great they were in the final three also. A good time was had by all.
ELTRP Executive Committee at TIS Conference 2016 19
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BRIDGES ARTICLE At the end of June Mark Ormiston, Chair of ELTRP and Sue Cairns, Outreach Officer delivered a session to a group of young people at the Bridges Project as part of their Tenancy Award qualification. The Tenancy Award qualification is a Borders College SCQF Level 3 accredited course designed to inform and educate young people around issues of tenancies and to help prepare young people for independent living. We delivered this session to four lovely, intelligent, articulate young people with a passion for life and with a vision to living independently at some stage. We played some games, including ELTROPOLY which was developed by Tenant Information Service staff, which we all enjoyed and covered some serious, relevant information that the young people could take on board when exploring the various options of living in their own tenancy. Some feedback from the group was:
“I found new things out in a different way”
“I felt heard and learned so much”
“We have been invited back next
“information that was explained to us was really interesting”
year to offer a similar session to the young people attending this course”
“10/10 – I found ELTROPOLY
At the Bridges Project 20
really informative and interesting”
SEPTEMBER 2016
JOIN TIS - MAKE A DIFFERENCE DID YOU KNOW YOUR TENANTS AND RESIDENTS ORGANISATION CAN JOIN TIS FOR FREE? TIS is the leading organisation inspiring innovative Tenant Participation practice in Scotland. As a national membership organisation we promote excellence in tenant and resident involvement, offering independent advice, support and training. We support tenants and landlords to work together to improve housing services and standards. We offer our members a wide range of benefits to help your organisation grow from strength to strength. Even better news for your tenants and residents group based in East Lothian is that East Lothian Council will fund your membership for the year, allowing you to receive the following benefits completely free: »» A free initial meeting to establish your needs »» Advice on the day to day running of your group and getting tenants involved »» Advice to review and scrutinise housing services »» Discounted conference, training and consultancy rates »» Voting and election rights at our AGM »» Access to our online members only area and TIS online “ News Bite” »» TIS guides, good practice case studies, briefing papers on current consultations, distance learning packs and TIS Talk newsletter »» Networking opportunities »» Having your say in the TIS ‘Members Voice’, responding to current topical issues »» Social Share - share your good news with us and we will share it with over a 1000 of our followers on facebook and twitter.
Annual Cost: Tenants and Residents Groups £20.00 Tenants and Residents Federations/Umbrella Organisations £50.00
To join TIS, contact us today and state that you are based in East Lothian T: 0141 248 1242 | E: info@tis.org.uk
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BE A PART OF ELTRP There are many different ways of getting involved with ELTRP, including: »» By being on the ELTRP mailing list you will receive information about the work of ELTRP and local groups. »» By answering ELTRP questionnaires you will help us to plan ahead and listen to what our members want. »» By being a member of a local tenants and residents group that is a member of ELTRP you will have a say in what ELTRP does and how it is run. »» By attending ELTRP events like Open Meetings, conferences, information sessions and Review Days, you will be able to bring up issues in your area and help share problems and agree common solutions. »» By being part of a sub group on a specific topic (like rents, or developing the ELTRP website) you will directly influence those issues. »» By being a voting delegate from your tenants and residents group you will be able to vote on topics affecting us all. »» By being on the ELTRP Executive Committee you will work with others to help run ELTRP as an organisation. »» By getting involved in scrutinising the Council housing service. »» Or by just working in your local group to influence local issues.
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Forthcoming Events: ELTRP Annual Conference DATE:
Wednesday 14th September 2016
VENUE: Port Seton Community Centre TIME:
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Please book for any of the above events by contacting the ELTRP Office on 0131 665 9304, by emailing tenantspanel@hotmail.com or by texting 0758 447 4934 and someone will call you back or by visiting the website on www.eltrp.co.uk Remember that assistance with transport and childcare is available on request. The Panel News is available online on our website www.eltrp.co.uk
Copy Dates If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the Panel News please do so by contacting ELTRP office on 0131 665 9304.
Comments? Compliments? Complaints?
The copy deadline for the next issue is 31st October 2016
The Panel News is produced quarterly by the ELTRP Publicity Sub-Group. If you have any comments to make about this newsletter, please address them to the Publicity Sub Group at the ELTRP Office.
The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel.
Help us to keep tenants and residents informed. Become a member of the Publicity Sub Group, or send us articles, comments or letters. Contact the Panel office to find out more. 23
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can provide council information in user friendly versions in other formats, for example: Braille | Large Print | Audio Tape We can also provide signers and interpreters for council business. Phone 01620 827199 for more information.
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East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel 24
47 Bridge Street Musselburgh EH21 6AA t. 0131 665 9304 e. tenantspanel@hotmail.com w. www.eltrp.co.uk @EastLothianTRP @EastLothianTRP