Back to the Future; celebrating 20 years of Tenant Participation in Wales

Date; November 2008

Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Cymru and Welsh Tenants Federation (WTF) 20th Joint Annual Conference Press Release

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Back to the Future; celebrating 20 years of Tenant Participation in Wales.

Its Back to the Future for delegates attending the Joint Annual Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Cymru and the Welsh Tenants Federation (WTF) Conference in Mid Wales this week. Delegates will be transported back to 1988 at the conference, to celebrate the 20th birthday of both organisations.

The conference will celebrate the achievements in tenant participation since 1988, which ensures that social housing tenants now have a real say about how their homes and local environment are managed within Wales. But, TPAS Cymru and The Welsh Tenants Federation are not resting on their success from the past 20 years; there will also be time for discussion at conference about how tenant participation in Wales can move forward in light of recent developments in housing within Wales.

John Drysdale, Director of TPAS Cymru, said Over the last 20 years there has been a virtual sea change in the attitudes and practice of tenant participation within Wales. However, there is still some progress to be made in the future; there are still concerns about the inconsistency in practice, legislation and regulation of tenant participation within Wales. We hope that this conference will give the opportunity to discuss some of these issues in detail.

Steve Clarke, Policy Coordinator for the Welsh Tenants Federation, said Twenty years is a significant milestone to stop and think about whats been achieved and examine the lessons. But its also timely to examine how the planned changes in housing are to affect future tenants, particularly the range of different housing products that are emerging, as well as the different players in the market. We must ensure that the gains made are carried forward and that failings are addressed

A review of the progress that has been made in tenant participation over the last twenty years can be seen in the Joint report A Journey of Influence: 20th Anniversary Review of Tenant Participation which will be launched and debated at the conference.

A Journey of Influence recommends a series of continuing improvements to further enable tenants to be involved and to influence matters around their home and their communities.

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---NOTES FOR EDITORS---

1. TPAS Cymru and the Welsh Tenants Federation celebrate their 20th Anniversary of tenant participation in Wales at the 20th Joint Annual Conference between the 12th and 14th of November 2008.
2. The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Cymru is the leading tenant participation organisation in Wales, with almost 400 tenant organisation and landlord members. TPAS Cymru exists to make effective participation a reality throughout Wales.
3. The Welsh Tenants Federation is a rights based organisation, established in 1988 but with a longer history, our role is to respond to issues raised by members and to act as the representative voice of tenants in Wales.
4. The 20th Joint Annual Conference will be held in Llandrindod Wells between the 12-14th November 2008
5. Speakers at the conference will include;
Paul Webb, Acting Head of Housing Policy at the Welsh Assembly Government;
Sue Essex, Chair of the Welsh Assembly Government Affordable Housing Task and Finish Group
John Drysdale, Director of TPAS Cymru;
Steve Clark, Policy Coordinator Welsh Tenants Federation;
6. A Journey of Influence: 20th Anniversary Review of Progress in Tenant Participation is kindly sponsored by Charter Housing Association
7. The Joint Annual Conference is the largest event of its kind in Wales, with over 400 delegates from across Wales attending over the three-day event.
8. Delegates at the conference include tenants, housing and community professionals
9. More information on the programme for the Joint Annual Conference can be obtained from www.tpascymru.org.uk following the link to conferences and events.

---CONTACT---

For further information and photos from the conference, please contact:

Amanda Oliver, Information and Policy Officer
TPAS Cymru, Transport House, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9SD
Tel: 029 20237303
Fax: 029 20345597
Email: amanda.oliver@tpascymru.org.uk
Web. www.tpascymru.org.uk
Out of hours contact; 07806 789 324