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A NETWORK FOR TENANT ORGANISATIONS IS LAUNCHED IN WEST STRATHCLYDE

A regional network for registered tenant organisations (RTOs) is being formally established in East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire.

An inaugural annual general meeting on Saturday 1 March 2008 is a key step in establishing the West Strathclyde Regional Network.

In total, nine RTO regional networks are being established across Scotland to provide a formal structure between the tenants’ movement and the Scottish Government.

The formation of tenant-led regional networks follows extensive consultation, and work over the last four years, to develop structures for tenant engagement with the Scottish Government on polices affecting their members’ homes and communities.

Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to engaging with tenants in the development of social housing policy in Scotland.

“We are also committed to putting the interests of tenants, current and future, first when making decisions about social housing, as we recently set out in our discussion paper, Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland.

“Key to this will be the nine regional RTO networks that are being established across Scotland and we look forward to working in partnership with them as we work to improve the housing and wellbeing of tenants and residents in Scotland.”

Gerald Casey, a tenants and residents association representative from East Renfrewshire, who will chair the inaugural AGM, said:

“I am pleased that after months of working together we are able to launch the West Strathclyde Regional Network. This is a new and interesting time for the tenants’ movement in Scotland. The establishment of our network will give tenants and residents a united voice and the opportunity to meet with the Government face to face on matters which are important to us.

“Our thoughts are with David Minnery, who was one of our leading supporters for the establishment of the regional network, who sadly died in January. David would be pleased to see us here today.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

• The inaugural annual general meeting of the West Strathclyde Regional Network is to take place at 11am on Saturday 1 March 2008 at Glynhill Hotel, Paisley Road, Renfrew, PA4 8XB.

• There are around 670 RTOs, and over 90 representatives from RTOs have been working towards establishing the nine regional networks. Each regional network covers a number of local authority areas and the networks are being supported by Communities Scotland’s Tenant Participation Development Team.

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.