Sue Essex to speak at TPAS Cymru/ WTF 20th Joint Annual Conference

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.

Sue Essex the former WAG minister and Chair of the Affordable Housing Task and Finish Group is to speak at the Joint Annual TPAS Cymru and WTF Conference on the 13th of November. Sue will be setting out the findings and reccomendations from the Essex Review into the provision of affordable housing in Wales and will also be looking at the implications for the future of social housing and tenant participation within Wales as a result of the review.

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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; John Drysdale, Director of TPAS Cymru; Steve Clark, Policy Coordinator Welsh Tenants Federation; Paul Webb, Acting Head of Housing Policy at the Welsh Assembly Government and Sue Essex, Chair of the Welsh Assembly Government Affordable Housing Task and Finish Group
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.

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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