THE imminent axe of a long-standing residents’ federation whose job is to scrutinise a social housing provider has been done because it has been ‘asking too many questions’, it has been claimed.
The Federation of Tenants and Residents, which was set up more than 30 years ago by Barnsley Council, is run entirely by volunteers and liaises between 13 current associations - known as TARAs - in the borough and Berneslai Homes’ board.
As well as representing and speaking up for residents, they have an important role in the scrutiny of Berneslai Homes, with members holding them to account for the decisions it makes.
Joan Whittaker, who chairs the federation, said in a statement this week that a formal agreement signed in August last year - setting out the organisation’s future until 2021 - has effectively been ‘ripped up’ by Berneslai Homes and the council.
“Maybe the federation has been asking too many questions and holding both the council and Berneslai Homes to account more than they would like to happen?
“We request both Berneslai Homes and the council reconsider the decision and honour the agreement signed in good faith in August 2018.”
Berneslai Homes confirmed an independent review had been carried out to address concerns around the model’s effectiveness which led to TPAS, a tenant engagement firm, to be commissioned who put recommendations forward to modernise the process.
But Ms Whittaker has urged a re-think in order to avoid pulling the plug on the federation’s funding and forcing it out of its base on Prospect Street, Barnsley.
“This decision has been made, although in August 2018 cabinet member Coun Roy Miller signed a formal agreement which is to cover the period from August 2018 to 2021,” she added. “This now looks like it has been ripped up by both the management of Berneslai Homes and the council.
“It is very misleading and Berneslai Homes give the impression that there has and there continues to be discussions with the federation, which is not the case.”
A Berneslai Homes spokesman said: “All the parties who signed the document last summer did so knowing that an independent review was to take place and that change was required,” the spokesman added.
“It is a concern that some of the federation are now acting without the majority support of their members. Last week we met with about 40 tenants who were supportive of the changes, including the proposal to change our relationship with the federation.
“We are meeting with the federation later this month to discuss this feedback, as we know not all are against the proposed changes.
“We hope to come to an agreement that there are much better ways to strengthen the tenant voice rather than continuing to fund an organisation which relies heavily on meetings, has a significantly reduced membership and is not supported by the majority of TARAs.
“We appreciate change is difficult and we know there are some dedicated members involved in the federation who we hope will continue to work with us.”
