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“Being a
member of a Residents Association gives you a
louder voice, to let the Council
know your needs”
Mrs Jean
Coates, - Chair - Selden Residents Association, Selhurst
What
does a Residents Association do?
What is a Residents’ Association?
A Residents’
Association is a local group, made up of local residents who represent the
interests of everyone living in a particular area. It plays a large part in
dealing with problems that people come up against, as well as organising things
like social events. Residents’ Associations are set up for everyone to join.
Membership is open to all local residents. Groups do not discriminate against
members of the community because of race, age, sex, disability, religion or
class.
How do Residents’
Associations work?
Residents’
Associations work a little like a pressure group. They meet regularly to talk
about the problems in their community like:
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Cleaning
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Parking
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Vandalism
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Local crime
The group may also help to arrange more Children’s Activities or set up a
Pensioners Club. They can also arrange Social Events.
Residents’
Associations on Council Estates spend time making sure that their local District
Offices are accountable, especially when dealing with things like repairs and
empty properties. As long as Residents’ Associations meet certain criteria, are
run properly and are democratic, they will be recognised by the Council and will
become part of the Council’s official consultation procedure for housing issues.
With many councils, groups that meet these criteria will also be entitled to an
annual grant to help with running costs.
Representing the views of the group
Each
Residents’ Association can select representatives to attend the local Community
Housing Panels where they will meet with other residents, council officers and
local councillors to discuss current issues of concern to all residents in the
area.
Community
Housing Panels discuss local Housing Management issues such as parking on
estates, repairs, Anti Social Behaviour, Caretaking and others. These Panels
will also look at the standards of the housing services they receive from their
local District Offices. The Panel may invite officers from other Council
Departments or external agencies to allow residents to find out more about other
issues, such as traffic management or policing, that impacts on Housing
Department estates. Community Housing Panels give you a chance to have a
say in how local services are run and an input into how housing policy is made
in your area.
Why does the Council's Housing
Department encourage Resident’s Associations?
You are our customers. To be successful we need to know what our customers
want. Working with Residents’
Associations is one means of improving the
services we provide. We want residents to become more involved in:
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Making decisions affecting their area
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Monitoring and reviewing the services we provide
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Voicing their views and making choices
The
Department produces an annual report to tenants and a quarterly tenants’
newsletter, ‘Open House’ which provides information on: our performance, new
initiatives and other activities throughout the year. However, through
Residents’ Associations, we are able to be in direct contact with you and others
to hear your views and suggestions.
By Getting involved you
can:
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Tell
the Council how you want the local area improved.
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Have
a chance to choose what you want.
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Develop
a better sense of community spirit.
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Enjoy
social events with your neighbours.
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Meet
residents from other parts of the Borough.
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