Leeds Tenants Federation (TIC) The independent federation of Leeds tenants and residents
Service Improvement Plan 2004 / 2005

Leeds Tenants Federation Service Plan 2004/2005

Introduction

This Service Plan sets out our plans to improve and develop our services over the coming year. The Federation works in partnership with Leeds City Council, the Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) and other agencies to meet the aims of our members and to contribute to the community strategy for Leeds.

A 16 person Management Committee, elected by the membership, runs the Federation and we hold quarterly general meetings to develop policy with our members. We have a membership of 95 recognised tenants and residents groups representing over 40,000 households. We are accountable to our members and we aim to represent those members’ views in decisions that affect their homes and communities. Our responsibility is to the tenants and residents of Leeds and we use a range of communications and feedback mechanisms to represent our members and fulfil our responsibilities.

The aims of the Federation are to:

· Unite the tenants of Leeds in one representative and effective voice

· Involve tenants in decisions about their homes and communities

· Support tenants to build a housing service that meets their needs and aspirations

· Enable tenants to participate at a level that suits them

Key objectives for 2004/05

· To represent the views of tenants and residents in strategic decision-making

· To strengthen the Leeds tenants federation as a representative body

· To support the Leeds tenants movement and develop its influence

New initiatives this year

· Develop area tenant federations

· Publish “Vision for Tenants” – new city-wide compact

· Agree Protocol on ALMO relations

· Hold cultural awareness celebration

· Launch of media room

Structure and staffing

Executive Committee 4 tenant officers

Management Committee 16 tenant members including 4 officers

Staff:

Tenant Involvement Advisor: Quintin Bradley

Tenant & Community Liaison Officer: Sengan Faal-Trinn

Administrative Officers: Marje Bamford

Calvin Bennett

Leeds Tenants Federation (TIC) Service Improvement Plan 2004/05

Objective	Action	Target
1. To represent the views of tenants and residents in strategic decision-making	1.1 Representation on the Neighbourhoods and Communities Partnership (the Local Strategic Partnership)	q Membership by Spring
	1.2 Support the development of Area Management and tenant representation on District Partnerships	q Membership of Core Plus Group by Summer q Tenant representation in place by Autumn
	1.3 Develop a compact for tenant involvement in strategic decision making	q Protocol agreed by ALMOs and TIC by May q “Vision for Tenants” published in June - agreed by Neighbourhoods & Housing
	1.4 Maintain and develop tenant involvement in strategic bodies	q Regular meetings with ALMO Senior Management Teams established by Summer
	1.5 Develop the influence of tenants in housing strategy at a regional and sub-regional level	q Maintain representation on Regional Housing Board q Host Regional Federation meetings; support development of sub-regional working
	1.6 Represent Leeds tenants and residents in national policy making	q Participation in Tenants and Residents Organisations of England general meetings and q Tenant Participation Advisory Service regional structure
2. To strengthen the Leeds tenants federation as a representative body	2.1 Develop Area Federations of tenants and residents	q 3 Tenant-run area structures, setting own agendas, meeting regularly by Spring 2005 q 4^th in development
	2.2 Hold official launch of Leeds Tenants Federation	q Hold launch on May 1^st q Attendance target 100
	2.3 Enhance skills development of Management Committee	q All 16 members to have a Personal Development Plan, annually updated q Increase number of training courses attended from 7
	2.4 Project a strong public image for the Tenants Federation	q Increase number of visits to website from 125 a month and number of press releases from 6 q Home at Leeds magazine - 4 issues q Increase number of exhibitions from 6
	2.5 Effectively represent members’ views and pursue their interests	q Do Annual Big Tenants Group Spring 2005 q Increase attendance at quarterly general meetings up from 80
3. To support the Leeds tenants movement and develop its influence	3.1 Develop skills and abilities of tenant representatives	q Training needs survey by June q Produce training package by Summer q Signpost groups to training from June q Personal Development Plans for area federation panel members
	3.2 Promote tenant involvement within hard-to-reach communities and help build an inclusive tenants movement	q Cultural diversity event held in Autumn q Reciprocal publicity with community groups and articles in H@L q Become a reporting centre for Hate Incidents by Summer q Involvement in Carnival, melas – float and displays
	3.3 Develop and support representative tenant organisations and confident communities	q At least 2 rounds in Summer and Winter of Extra Support Grant bids q Number of groups to reach over 100 groups by Spring 2005 q More than 20 visits to groups by Spring 05 q Increase from 40 no. of tenant newsletters produced q Launch media room
	3.4 Support tenant involvement in ALMO Boards and tenant management organisations	q Increase attendance at general meetings of Tenant Board Members from 8 by Spring 05