Working Together

Dudley Federation Tenant & Residents Associations

DMBC Core Standard Two – Resources for Tenant Participation.

DMBC will support and encourage tenants who wish to get involved in the participation and consultation process. We will provide tenants with the resources they require for setting up and running TRA’s and associated activities.

 

There are a number of ways support can be provided, these are listed below, although this

is not an exclusive list: -

(i) Financial Resources.

DFTRA will be provided with an annual running cost grant, along with the use of suitable premises.

Capital / Discretionary bids budget will be managed and distributed by DFTRA.

Annual grants will be paid to recognise TRA’s to cover running costs.

Where the Authority has called a meeting or event reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

Core funding for DFTRA will be provided and reviewed on an annual basis. In 2003/04 this amounted to £15,000 and it is not anticipated that future grants will drop below this figure.

 

(ii) Non Financial Resources

In addition to the financial resources available, the following resources will be provided to assist with tenant participation: -

• Provision of meeting rooms for Forums when required

• Photocopying

• Attendance at meetings by staff when required

• Stationery

• Postage

• Administration (including auditing of accounts)

(iii) Human Resources

A Senior Manager (Area Housing Manager) will be available to lead on the development of tenant participation within the Dudley Borough.

The Participation Development Team will act as a link between the Council and tenants and residents groups.

(iv)  Training

We will provide training to give tenants the chance to increase their knowledge and skills so that they may represent their estates more effectively. If appropriate this training will involve tenants, officers and councillors.

The training will be provided in a range of methods to ensure the maximum involvement of tenants. There are several ways in which tenant representatives and tenants are able to access training; these include through: -

• Dudley Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations

• Participation Development Team

• External Agencies

• Senior Housing Staff

• Attendance at seminars and conferences

• Internal training courses

Service List

What is a Constitution

 

             A constitution essentially sets out three things: 

 

1. WHO YOU REPRESENT,

2.  WHAT YOUR GROUP IS ABOUT,

3.  HOW YOUR GROUP IS RUN.

 

DMBC requires that Tenants and Residents Associations have a constitution before they receive any funding from the council.  The constitution is the basis of your organisation and should be accessible to everyone.

 

· You can tailor a constitution to meet the needs of your own group. 

· A constitution’s to meet the needs of your own group.

· A constitution includes details of your organisation’s name aims and members, rules on finances, the committee, meetings and dissolving the group

· A constitution is a very useful document to have if your group are likely to apply for funding from different organisations or agencies, e.g. the Lottery.