Tenant activist Chris Kift is calling for a high turnout tomorrow (Saturday 20 November) at the tenant and leaseholder-organised City Assembly at Hove Town Hall.
Mr Kift, current chair of the assembly, said: “Tenants and leaseholders have organised a packed day of discussion and debate around issues that concern our lives in this great city.
“The City Assembly brings all 70 of Brighton and Hove’s tenant and leaseholder associations together, but the event is open to any tenant and leaseholder to attend.
“This time around it is the tenants and leaseholders themselves who will be presenting their high-level work across a whole range of strategic policies, around mobility needs of older and less able-bodied tenants, sorting out apparent overcharging by some water companies, and presenting new ways that tenants and leaseholders can ‘Rate Your Estate’.”
Maria Caulfield, Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for housing, said: “Chris and the tenant movement have organised a great day.
“We fully support them and hope they get a high turnout.
“A lot of work has gone into the day and they deserve support from across the city.
Anyone not already involved with their local resident association but interested in coming along or in chatting about the event and getting more involved can ring John Austin Locke on 01273 291008.
And now we are preparing for the next City Assembly! This will be held on Saturday 21 May, 2011, at Hove Town Hall. All seventy residents’ associations across the City will be invited to attend. More than that, all tenants and leaseholders are welcome to come along, see and take part in the debate, as part of their local association. In a new development there will be six smaller “Break-Out” groups that will allow for a closer debate and will genuinely influence policy making. Areas under discussion will include; residents experience of the new responsive repairs contract, the Brighton & Hove Standard which is our local, enhanced, version of the Decent Homes Standard, Estate Improvement to include a discussion of the best use of the Estate Development Budget. This is the ever popular £ 500,000 develoved tenant budget. Also under discussion will be the out of hours service, damp and condensation, the standards residents expect from contractors coming into their homes and, also, Energy Efficiency work. It promises to be a packed day so come along for part of it or all of it! All we ask is that you call 01273 290518 to say you are coming so we can plan the food! It will certainly be an interesting day, once more, so I look forward to seeing you there! Best regards, John Austin Locke, Policy, Performance and Community Participation Manager, Brighton & Hove City Council.