Steering Groups | Berneslai Homes

Article: Steering Groups

What is a Steering Group?

• It’s a meeting organised by the Housing Management Team which has an agenda.  It's focused enough to effectively address key issues and determine priorities, of the local area, but is also flexible enough to accommodate the ‘unexpected’.
• It provides an opportunity for local groups to refer issues or concerns for discussion, and / or to update or agree further action, or request support for, future or special initiatives.  Issues could include the environment, problems with litter, dog fouling, graffiti and vandalism.  Members of the group are also able to discuss anti social behaviour, grass cutting problems and prioritise areas for action by the housing management officers and monitor their performance.
• Each steering group is allocated a small budget.  This is used to carry out work to improve the environment and security to areas proposed by the steering group members.  Previous works have included:  Security fencing and lighting at Shelter Schemes, a bin store, a name stone, replacement fencing, parking enforcement, CCTV, boundary walls and community clean ups.  
• It gives Berneslai Homes the opportunity to share with the community our performance in managing your estates for example how quickly we remove graffitti and how many days we relet empty properties.  

Visit the Steering Group Outcomes page for a list of outcomes from the meetings.

Who attends the Steering Groups?

• Housing Management Team Officer
• Local Tenants and Resident Associations (TARAs)
• Members of the public
• Local councillors
• Police
• Neighbourhood Pride.

How do I get involved?

You can just come along to your local Steering Group.  You are very welcome to come along and sit and observe a meeting.  You can download a list of Steering Groups in your local area for 2012 below:

• Athersley/ Lundwood Steering Groups
• Cudworth Steering Groups
• Dearne Steering Groups
• Hoyland Steering Groups
• Kendray/ Worbrough Steering Groups
• Town Steering Groups
• West Steering Groups
• Wombwell / Darfield Steering Groups

 How do I become a member?

• Contact your local Housing Management Team and inform them that you will be coming along to the next meeting.
• If you have a local Tenants and Resident Group you may want to come along with one of their members.
• Just come along to the meeting.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

You do not need any experience or particular skills just a willingness to take part in the meetings.

How often are the meetings and how long do they last?

The meetings are held eight weekly at different times and dates depending on your local area. The meetings usually last for 1 to 2 hours.

How much reading or preparation will I be expected to do ahead of the meeting?

• The minutes and agenda will be sent out approximately 2 weeks before the meeting. You may like to read them before you come to the meeting but that will only take 10 minutes of your time. You may feel that you would like to do more background reading if you are bringing an issue to the meeting.
• If you’ve agreed to go away and do a specific task, and/or ask questions/seek advice elsewhere, follow up and report back on what you’ve found.

Why will my involvement make a difference?

• Involving tenants really does make a difference to the services we offer.
• We are committed to making sure that tenants have a say in decisions that affect them, their homes, and the areas they live in. We want to empower tenants to get involved at a level that suits them.

How long do I have to be a member?

We would hope that you really enjoy the meetings and would like to continue to attend as many as you can, but there is no compulsion to keep attending.

Will I be sent papers or information well in advance of meetings?

• Papers will be sent out approximately 2weeks before the meeting.
• There may be occasions when additional papers may be handed out at the meeting for a variety of reasons. The information may not have been available in time to be sent out with the minutes.

Will I be able to understand what is happening during meetings?

• If this is your first meeting it may seem new to you, but it gets easier.
• There are lots of people on hand to ensure that you are comfortable and understand what is happening.
• We promise not to use “jargon” at the meetings.  If we accidentally do though you must stop and tell us and ask us to explain.

How are people’s views noted or recorded?

Minutes of the meeting will be taken and people’s views will be noted.

What do I do if I can’t attend a meeting?

You can send your apologies to the Housing Management Team responsible for your meeting, or send your apologies with someone who is attending the meeting.