Community event at Riverside flats September 2010

Review of the Wish upon a Star event at Riverside flats 30 September 2010 Housing Services Community Event

Contents

Page

Background to Wish upon a Star initiative

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How and why an event was chosen

3

Partnership working

3

Who helped on the day other than tenants and leaseholders?

4

Risk assessments

4

Leaflet and posters for the event

5

Comments made on the day

5

Was it worth it and would we be doing another one?

6

Listening to tenants

6

Photographs taken before and after the event

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Further contact information

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Community Event & Housing Services Background to Wish upon a Star initiative The Wish upon a Star initiative was set up in the summer of 2008. The aim of the scheme is to: • Encourage local action amongst tenants and residents of Tamworth Borough Council • Support activities that contribute to the Tenant Participation Strategy • Support ideas that improve Housing Services Tenants and leaseholders are asked to write their ideas on stars, including where it would or could take place. The ideas are judged by a panel from across Housing Services, alongside tenants, to decide which idea would be actioned.

The event must include tenants, promote community engagement and cohesion, meet local need and benefit local people.

How and why an event was chosen The event was chosen after concerns were raised at a Tenant Consultative Group meeting and tenant recruitment drive that tenants in the High Rise flats did not feel listened to. The Tenant Participation Team and Housing Services were criticised for not meeting with tenants and listening to their views surrounding their housing needs.

Several tenants had also raised concerns with the Caretaking Team in regard to our approach to the flats. There is a small communal garden area by the entrance doors that required attention as they are overgrown and unsightly.

Concerns had also been raised surrounding the waste and recycling collections and the bin areas.

Members of the Tenant consultative Group collectively agreed that an event should take place surrounding the High Rise flats and Devereux House.

Partnership working The Tenant Participation Team and Caretaking Team agreed to hold a joint event. This would include inviting various housing service areas, waste and recycling, fire and the Police Service to discuss any issues raised by tenants on the day. It was held in the High Rise Social Club that is located near to the flats and Devereux House with excellent disabled facilities and a large communal room. It is regularly used for social events.

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Who helped on the day other than tenants and leaseholders?

Leanne Allwood Diane Hughes Helen Rich Trevor Wylie Stuart Jackson Bob Dyer Tony Derrington Alan Marshall Donald Palmer John Murden Darren Jackson Kate Ferris Tracey Brindley Jo Mallaband Lisa Hall Debbie Harrison Ann Summers John Coombes Claire Keeling Rich Walsh Duncan Cole Tom Osborne Giles Pipe David Allerton

Tenant Participation Manager Tenant Participation Assistant Customer Service/ Administration support to Tenant Participation Team Caretaking Team Leader Caretaking Team Caretaking Team Caretaking Team Caretaking Team Staffordshire Police Repairs Manager Contract Manager –Morrison Facilities Services Regional Resident Liaison Manager - Morrison Facilities Services Administrator @ Morrison Facilities Services Housing Manager Team Leader – Estate Management Team Staffordshire Police – Anti-Social Behaviour Team Housing Officer –Income Team Financial Inclusion Officer – Income Team Housing Strategy Officer / Energy efficiency Fire Officers Fire Officers Fire Officers Recycling Officer Recycling Officer

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Risk assessments Risk assessments were carried out by Trevor Wylie, Caretaking Team Leader, on behalf of the Tenant Participation Team. The kitchen area was manned by the Tenant Participation Team to avoid any risk to tenants, partners or staff in attendance at the event.

Leaflet and posters for the event Every tenant or leaseholder living in the High Rise Flats or Devereux House had a hand delivered leaflet posted through their door to advise them of the event, where it was to be held and offering them entry into a free prize draw.

Comments made on the day:

“I was concerned about the risk of fires because charities leave sacks and ask us to fill them with clothes that could be set alight”.

“The lady from the income team has explained my rent to me as I have been getting confused.”

“I have spoken to the repairs manager who has promised to look into my concerns.”

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Was it worth it and would we be doing another one?

Strengths Weaknesses Well organised and promoted well Attendance quite poor in relation to with leaflet drop and posters. tenants living in the area Excellent venue that took into account tenants needs in relation to poor mobility.

Easy to reach venue as it is the High Rise Social Club and has disabled access.

Developed partnership working as various agencies were in attendance responding to any queries /concerns raised by tenants.

Free gifts available on the day and entry into the free prize draw.

Listening to tenants

Staff made themselves available to answer any queries or concerns from tenants. The concerns raised were repairs, fire hazards, issues with rent and refuse collections plus many more.

After the event staff followed up queries raised on the day by getting back in touch with the customer/ tenant to advise what actions they had taken to resolve their concerns.

The day proved successful for all attendees.

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Photographs taken before and after the event

Before work started

Trevor and Stuart from the Caretaking Team

Completed work

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If you wish to discuss this report or to get involved in having your say about the Housing Services you receive then please contact the Tenant Participation Team in the following ways: Telephone: 01827 709448 Freephone: 0800 183 0454 Email: tenantparticipation@tamworth.gov.uk Tenant Participation Team Tamworth Borough Council Marmion House Lichfield Street Tamworth Borough Council Staffordshire B79 7BZ

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