Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents Hold AGM
Caption: Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents Vice Chair Joan Daykin presents Secretary John Hind with a certificate for his 14 years of service
Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents, in partnership with Berneslai Homes, recently held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Metrodome.
The AGM was attended by over 70 people including members of the 26 Barnsley Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs) and staff from Berneslai Homes.
It was with regret that the Federation Secretary John Hind stepped down from his position after 14 years as a member, due to ill health. John has also served as a Board member of the Tenants and Residents of England for nine years and the Board of the Yorkshire and Humber Tenants and Residents for the past six years. John adds,” Over the years the Federation has gone from strength to strength. I have served on many panels and I think the most successful has been the tenants jury which resulted in Berneslai Homes becoming an Arms Length Management Organisation and the Decent Homes Programme. I am sorry to step down as a member but would like to wish the Federation all the best for the future.”
Speakers at the AGM included Barnsley Citizens Advice Bureau and Barnsley Youth Service. Barnsley Citizens Advice Bureau provide a vital service to help people resolve their legal, money and other problems through information, face to face and telephone advice, and by influencing policy makers. The presentation highlighted the steep rise in the numbers of people seeking debt advice. Mortgage repossessions were increasing and these included former ‘Right to Buy’ properties where the extra costs of rising interest rates, end of a discounted mortgage period, higher repair, maintenance and insurance costs were all having an adverse impact on affordability.
Barnsley Youth Council gave a presentation on the positive involvement of young people in Barnsley. An update on the Youth Opportunity Fund was given, this year £211,000 worth of funding would be up for grabs for young peoples activities and projects. The speakers explained that there are lots of interested and enthusiastic young people in Barnsley who are willing to get involved in projects at a local, regional and national level and to not forget these when setting up community projects and events.
To find out further information on the Barnsley Youth Council please contact: 01226 771818 and for Barnsley Citizens Advice Bureau please contact: 01226 206492. If you are interested in finding out more about a TARA in your area or would like to start a TARA please contact Tel: 01226 781172 or email: barnsleytara@supanet.com.
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