Joint Housing Board for Babergh and Mid Suffolk

Tenants and leaseholders in Babergh and Mid Suffolk are being encouraged to stand for election to become part of a new Joint Housing Board, which will make decisions about issues affecting all tenants across the two districts.

Plans to form a Joint Housing Board were approved by Members at both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils last year. This is believed to be the first Joint Housing Board in the country where tenants and Members from two districts will work together, with equal voting rights, to decide on strategy and develop plans and policy.

Martin King, Head of Housing for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils said: “The Government’s commitment to localism, the devolution of power to communities and the Housing Revenue Account reforms are all factors that mean we must transform our decision making processes. The new Joint Housing Board is part of that change and will provide the capacity and flexibility to meet these challenges.”

The Joint Housing Board, which will be made up of 12 Members (six councillors and six tenants), will be established in the next few months. It will cover six wards across the two districts.

All tenants will be allowed to stand for election. Those who stand as a candidate will be asked to write a ‘mini-manifesto’. The manifesto will contain information about the candidates and what they see as the priorities for the new Board. All tenants will then take part in a postal ballot to elect a tenant to represent their ward. This will be done in February 2012.

Richard Senior, Chair of the Babergh Tenants Forum said in support of the board: “This is an exciting new development and involves tenants fully. It is the first time ever that tenants have been involved in such a scheme. The tenants will have more control and more say in what goes on.”

Rick Langford, Chair of the Mid Suffolk Forum has been involved for many years and feels that this is a major step forward: “This is great news and means that tenants will have an equal say in all matters that affect the service that the councils provide for us.”

Keith Wykes, Chair of the Joint Integration Group, a joint tenant forum that was set up to oversee the integration of the two councils housing service summed up by saying: “Exciting things are happening at your local council. We all urge tenants and leaseholders to find out more, and be part of it.”

Tenants and Leaseholders who would like to find out about the Housing Board and how to stand as a candidate can contact Tarina Gregory on 01449 724759 or email: tarina.gregory@midsuffolk.gov.uk