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| In 1999 the Government
produced a Tenant Participation Consultation Document
which outlined to local authorities what its vision of such
participation should be. It stated that such participation should
be ensuring that Councils were: |
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- Making good
quality decisions based on local needs and priorities.
- Ensuring investment,
management and improvement of estates is sustainable.
- That tenants
are satisfied both with their homes and their quality of
life.
- That tenants
are empowered and able to identify solutions that will work
best for their local communities.
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| An admirable set
of targets but who for instance will set the benchmark standard
as to what is a "good quality of life?" Who will this
be applicable to and in what circumstance? |
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| Within such a framework
the Government hoped to develop tenants who "fully engaged
with their councils" and would therefore be able to: |
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- Provide input
into the council decision making process.
- Make improvements
to local housing or other services.
- Work in partnership
with the council to ensure actions and decisions are balanced
and meet the needs of the local population.
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| Few would dispute
the theoretical desirability of such a partnership between Local
Authorities and local communities - but how does this work in
practice? For example without adequate training and support
how will tenants make "informed decisions" or be able
to assess the whether the councils strategies and policies are
balanced and appropriate? Next, comes the question who will
provide the training and support - would this be appropriate
to come from local authorities who have a vested interest in
the outcome? |
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| How well
is this working in my local area? |
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| The only way to
truly satisfy yourself as to the answer to such a question is
to become pro-active yourself! Contact your local council and
ask them to send you information regarding how tenant participation
works in your area. The council should also be able to supply
you with contact details for local Tenants and Residents
Associations - speak to them directly and take their
views on board too. Compare all this information with your own
experience of the services provided by your local council. |
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| Become
active - Get Involved! |
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Trying
to make change on your own may seem impossible but working
with others makes it become achievable!!
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