Service Level Agreement

with Pennine Housing 2000

(Section 6 of PH2K's Tenant Participation Compact)

Pennine Communities Federation of Tenants' & Residents' Associations acts as a collective voice for the many Tenants' & Residents' Associations across Calderdale (similar to a trade union). They hold monthly meetings in Halifax, which all tenants and residents living on Pennine Housing 2000 estates can attend and participate, although voting is restricted to tenants and residents from member associations.

At a Federation meeting you can expect to be consulted about changes to Pennine Housing policies; to be asked for your views about other issues affecting Pennine Housing 2000 communities e.g. policing, street cleaning, anti-social behaviour, etc. and to be invited to suggest solutions to some of the problems which Tenants' Associations might be having on their estates. For more information about the Federation contact the Federation on Tel. 01422 249621.

The following two sections set out the relationship between the Federation and Pennine Housing 2000 and demonstrates the commitment each has to working in partnership.

Pennine Housing 2000's undertaking to the Federation

Pennine Housing 2000 recognises the value to itself, and to tenants' and residents' associations in Calderdale, of supporting the Federation to be an independent body which provides a collective voice for member associations.

Pennine Housing 2000 undertakes to consult formally and informally with the Federation, as appropriate, on all policy issues which may affect tenants or their representative associations, and to take account of any representations made by the Federation, prior to any formal consultation of individual tenants.

To facilitate this, Pennine Housing 2000 positively welcomes and encourages the attendance of representatives nominated by the Federation as observers of Board meetings and as active members of working groups established to develop relevant areas of policy.

Pennine Housing 2000 undertakes to provide such training, information and reports as may be required to equip the Federation and its nominated representatives to perform this role.

Pennine Housing 2000 also recognises that as a membership-based organisation, the Federation has a range of organisational and administrative functions, as well as a need to encourage growth and membership renewal. To enable the Federation to do its job properly Pennine Housing 2000 undertakes to provide a sufficient level of resources.

This amount of resources will be subject to the submission by the Federation, and approval by Pennine Housing 2000, of an annual plan and budget proposal based on a review of performance over the previous year and a set of targets for the year following.

Such resources will be allocated in the form of an annual budget to include the following headings:

•    staffing (including on-costs and staff expenses)

•    office premises and overheads

•    expenses, administration and stationery

•    publicity

•    equipment

•    training and conferences

•    publications

•    exhibitions and events

•    professional fees and consultancy

Undertakings by the Federation

The Federation undertakes to maintain a constitution that will enable it to remain a representative and independent voice for tenants and their associations in all matters concerning the policies of Pennine Housing 2000.

The Federation will be a membership-based organisation which sets clear criteria for eligibility of membership and ensures that it is always controlled by its members.

The Federation will initiate and respond to dialogue with, and consultation by, Pennine Housing 2000 that will lead to the development and improvement of Pennine Housing 2000's policies, particularly with respect to standards of housing management, the development of tenant participation and the delivery of programmes of repairs and improvements to tenants' homes.

The Federation will nominate representatives to attend Board meetings of Pennine Housing 2000 and otherwise to act as active members of working groups established to develop relevant areas of policy.

The Federation will provide a range of services to its member organisations to enable them to participate fully in the activities and operations of Pennine Housing 2000 including training, information, administrative services and advice.

The Federation will manage the resources allocated to it by Pennine Housing 2000 in a responsible and accountable manner, ensuring that any staff have a proper working environment, that financial arrangements are subject to proper controls and procedures and that an annual report is produced on the activities of the organisation.

General

Pennine Housing 2000 and the Federation have agreed that they will both deliver these undertakings in a spirit of partnership with the common objective of improving housing conditions, housing services and the quality of life for tenants of Pennine Housing 2000.

Pennine Housing 2000 and the Federation have also agreed that they will meet at least once a year to review these undertakings and draw up a list of targets and actions to be included in the Tenant Participation Compact Action Plan.