News - 20/10/2009
Tenant Sounding Board Established
River Clyde Homes has signed up more than 300 tenants to be involved in its ‘Sounding Board’ initiative.
The aim is to involve its tenants to develop and improve housing policies, including issues like communication, tenant involvement, repairs, rent setting and anti-social behaviour. The 300-plus team will play a major role in shaping future policies and activities.
A prize draw for applicants was organised and winners were chosen by Sandra Gault, acting secretary of the Federation of Inverclyde Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations and overseen by Anne J Butler, River Clyde Homes’ head of neighbourhood development.
First prize -- £250 of Tesco Gift vouchers -- went to John Scott of Greenock, second prize of £100 of vouchers went to Annie Leslie of Port Glasgow and these were presented by Lynne Carr, River Clyde Homes Chief Executive. Third prize of £50 went to William Gray from Gourock
Lynne said: “Members of the new Sounding Board will be consulted on a wide range of issues, and can choose how they would like to be involved. Their responses to consultation exercises will be kept anonymous and members will receive regular updates about actions taken as a result of their input.
“The traditional means of involving people – often through public meetings in the evening in halls with limited facilities for disabled people or no crèche facilities – is often not the best way of engagement.
“However, some way of allowing all tenants and other stakeholders to exercise meaningful influence must be a key part of any consultation and participation process. This is why the sounding board has been set up.”
David McCready, River Clyde Homes’ director of operations and neighbourhoods, added: “The sounding board will benefit tenants and residents groups and River Clyde Homes to allow people who are unable to take part in groups to have a say in River Clyde Homes’ policies. Involving tenants in this way also illustrates our commitment to listen to all tenants.”
