A DECADES-OLD scheme which was founded to ensure Barnsley’s tenants and residents’ voices were heard is being dissolved next month, the Chronicle can reveal.
The Federation of Tenants and Residents, which was set up more than 30 years ago by Barnsley Council, is run entirely by volunteers and liaises between the numerous associations - known as TARAs - in the borough and Berneslai Homes’ board.
As well as representing and speaking up for residents, they have an important role in the scrutiny of Berneslai Homes, with members from each of Barnsley’s 13 TARAs holding them to account for the decisions it makes.
They say they are being silenced under new plans outlined by the social housing provider despite signing a five-year agreement last autumn to continue the scheme.
Coun Hannah Kitching, who represents the Penistone West ward for the Liberal Democrats, was contacted by a number of concerned TARA members from across the borough, who felt that the consultation on the federation’s future role, commissioned and conducted internally by Berneslai Homes, was of public interest and needed to be examined further.
Coun Kitching said: “The federation and TARA members I spoke to are deeply committed to ensuring that all tenants and residents in Barnsley have an independent voice, someone who can speak up for them in all matters, including but not limited to the operations of Berneslai Homes.
“They are very concerned that there is now what seems to be an attempt to silence them, and even more concerned that this is happening without any scrutiny or public engagement. This does not bode well for community consultation in the future.
“I am sure that many other councillors are similarly in the dark so I raised this topic at last week’s full council meeting and received a scripted response which basically said there are more efficient ways of gathering thoughts.
“It’s really disappointing as members feel like their voices have been silenced and the agreement has been pulled from underneath them without much notice.
“The federation’s members will happily admit that progress and change is always essential, and are willing to work with Berneslai Homes to develop and grow. But their role is still required, and they hope to find the support to continue.”
The move is likely to bring about the close of the federation and their resource centre on Prospect Street, with the officers who support the federation relocating to Gateway Plaza.
Elsie Smith, from the Grimethorpe-based TARA, said the federation’s axe was a shame for the volunteers who have provided decades of contributions to the scheme.
“Everyone’s fed up by it as it’s something the council started a long time ago,” she told the Chronicle. “People ring up with their complaints about a specific area and it’s passed on, that’s how it’s always worked.
“Not only is it a shame for members, but also for those who relied on the federation socially to get them out of the house and make them feel part of a group.”
Berneslai Homes confirmed an ‘independent review’ had been carried out to address concerns around the model’s effectiveness which led to TPAS, a tenant engagement firm, to be commissioned.
Current TARA members will be updated on the revised model’s future, but a spokesperson said they remain committed to hearing residents’ views.
“We have met with the federation and shared with them the independent review’s finding and recommendations along with our proposals,” they added. “We will continue to have discussions with them on the new model.
“The recommendations mean significant changes to the current approach to engagement and as such are sensitive because they will affect some very dedicated tenants and residents who have over many years given a huge amount of their time and effort to improve services.
“We do though see the need to change our main consultative partnership with the federation, which has a membership of less than 20 and is not representative of our 18,500 tenants.”
