Colin Stewart, a spokesperson for the Regional Networks said our members supported the Housing to 2040 vision when it was published, it was and still remains an admirable long-term plan.
However, the housing landscape like so much else has changed drastically over the last few years and the priority must be to respond to the current housing emergency we face. At present the emphasis and funding must go to providing many more new homes. That must be the focus along with ensuring standards of our existing homes is met.
To do this in these difficult economic times will be hugely challenging and is made even more difficult by the reduction in the affordable housing budget. Tenants cannot be expected to fund this work through large rent increases, the funding must come on a national basis from government.
As tenants, we welcome the aspiration of the Scottish Housing Net Zero Standard for Scotland but consider that in the current context, it is imperative to take a measured approach to this which takes account of the challenges we are facing across the piece and allow for a more cohesive strategy to be put in place for the social housing sector to address the challenges we face.
The documents have been sent out for the upcoming AGM on Saturday 1st June 2024.
You can download the documents from this page.
2024-AGM-Invitation-Letter-
The Scottish Housing Regulator has today set out its plans to carry out a comprehensive review of the Annual Return on Charter (ARC) during 2024/25.
To support this review, the Regulator has established advisory groups to work with it to consider the current ARC indicators and help it to develop appropriate and meaningful indicators on tenant and resident safety, including new indicators on damp and mould.
The advisory groups will include relevant experts and people from the social housing sector and the first meeting of these groups will take place at the start of May 2024.
The Regulator will use the feedback it received about the ARC indicators during its recent framework review. It also hopes to include the development of appropriate indicators for the Social Housing Net Zero Standard following the conclusion of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed Standard.
The Regulator will consult formally on the revised ARC indicators later this year. The new ARC will take place for collection year 2025/26, and landlords will make the first return under the new indicators in May 2026. The existing ARC will continue until then.
Helen Shaw, Director of Regulation said:
“The ARC allows landlords to report on how well they are delivering services to their tenants. The membership of the advisory groups is drawn from across the sector, including relevant experts. We look forward to working with the advisory groups as we review the current indicators. We will also ensure that we involve tenants and other service users as we develop the proposed new indicators to ensure the information we collect reflects what is important to them.”
Agenda
Minutes of AGM 2023
Minutes of AGM 2023 Breakout Room Region 1
Minutes of AGM 2023 Breakout Room Region 2
Minutes of AGM 2023 Breakout Room Region 3
Minutes of AGM 2023 Breakout Room Region 4
Financial Report AGM 2023
Tenants Together Constitution
Instructions – you can either:-
– Hover above this line to see arrows to navigate through the pdf pages,
– Click on the link below to open fully in your browser or
– Click download to save a copy of the minutes to your device
Regional Networks changes name to Tenants Together to reflect its bold new brand and vision.
The Regional Networks has unveiled its bold new identity, including a new name, logo, and vision as part of an extensive rebranding exercise, launched at their Annual General Meeting on Saturday 1st June 2024.
The organisation has now officially rebranded to ‘Tenants Together’ to better reflect who they are: a national network of tenants, committed to empowering the tenants of today and tomorrow, ensuring their voices are heard and influence decisions within the Scottish social housing sector, to protect tenants’ rights and make a difference.
Funded by The Scottish Government, network members worked with the Tenants Information Service (TIS) to design and implement the new brand identity, mission statement, vision for the future, and core values. It was important that the approach was tenant-led to ensure the new identity embodied the key priorities and ambitions of the network’s members.
Colin Stewart – Chair of Tenants Together explained:
“This is a major milestone for our organisation. With a clear vision and mission, we can move forward with our commitment to making sure the views of tenants and service users are listened to, acted upon, and are at the forefront of all housing and community developments. It is a very exciting time for us.”
The improved branding will provide the housing sector with a better understanding of the aims of the network – who will speak up to protect tenants’ rights and offer a variety of opportunities for tenants and service users to influence national housing policy, work to ensure tenant participation is embedded within the culture of housing organisations operating throughout the sector, and share a unified voice for tenants and service users on national committees, boards, and taskforces.
Fawn Russell – communications and media manager at TIS said:
“The new brand identity of Tenants Together encapsulates a renewed sense of purpose for the network and its members. Throughout the rebranding exercise, it was clear that network members have an unwavering commitment to become the leading, unified voice for tenants across the Scottish social housing sector, and to have a national presence and seat at the table.”
The launch of the new Tenants Together brand was aptly timed, as Tenants Together, begin a recruitment drive to encourage tenants and service users of a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) or local authority, operating throughout the Scottish social housing sector, to get involved and sign up to membership – completely free of charge.
As a member of Tenants Together you can decide to get involved at a level that suits you, and will have the opportunity to:
- Be a part of a national network of likeminded tenants and service users who share a commitment to empowering the tenants of today and tomorrow.
- Work in partnership with the Scottish Government and other key decision makers to ensure the interests of tenants and service users are at the heart of policy development.
- Become a champion for the organisation and promote the work that they do at local and national events and conferences.
- Share your views on national housing policy and development, and best practice relating to tenant participation and engagement.
- Come together with Tenants Together peers to review information and discuss some of the biggest challenges facing the sector.
- Engage directly with the Scottish Housing Regulator on the issues of key importance to tenants and service users in relation to the regulation of social landlords.
- Participate on national committees, panels, boards, task forces, and at ministerial meetings.
Shona Gorman – Vice-Chair of Tenants Together, highlighted that there are a range of benefits that you can gain from becoming a member:
“If you are a tenant or service user of an RSL or local authority and are passionate about making positive change in the Scottish social housing sector, and want to be part of an organisation, and greater purpose, that makes a real difference to the lives of communities across Scotland, then I would encourage you to become a member of Tenants Together. We are a network of likeminded, friendly tenants and welcome you to get involved!”
If you are interested in becoming a member of Tenants Together, please email info@tenantstogether.scot to find out more – or alternatively, stay up to date with the latest work by signing up to their newsletter at www.tenantstogether.scot