ACAS is often thought of for dispute reconciliations and arbitration but there’s more to them than just this. They have a wealth of advice on employment available on their website, run training courses on employment issues and offer free webinars on a range of topics.
The resources they have are brilliant for small organisations like TMOs so, if you haven’t already, why not check out their website and take advantage of their resources and expertise.
We are absolutely delighted to share the news that Belle Isle TMO (BITMO) have successfully held their 5 year continuation ballot.
With 93% of the residents who voted backing the TMO for a further 5 year term this is a clear endorsement of the work being undertaken by this resident led organisation in South Leeds.
BITMO’s Chief Executive Deborah Kelly commented
“This was a good day for Belle Isle. We had a successful AGM, new tenant Board members were elected and we are delighted to have got the backing of Belle Isle tenants with 93% voting for BITMO to continue. For the next five years, BITMO’s tenant-led Board and our locally-based staff will keep working to make a stronger, safer, greener Belle Isle for everyone”.
Another example of what we know to be true – Tenant Management really does work! Isn’t it time for the government to ensure that other residents have the opportunity to form their own TMO?
Septembers Bulletin for Members is now available.
Please let us know if you’d like to be added to the mailing list.
The Phase 2 report released by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry team is to be commended for the depth and breadth of its investigation and it will take some time for the NFTMO to fully digest the findings set out in the report. Above all we will remember the 72 people who lost their lives in the tragic events of 14th June 2017.
What is clear from the report is that there had been a breakdown in trust and communication with the residents of Grenfell Tower and the wider Lancaster West Estate on which it was located. Residents’ voices were not listened to, and their concerns dismissed by an organisation which, in its name, stated it was tenant managed.
Uniquely Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) was formed in 1996 in response to specific government legislation requiring local authorities to competitively tender their housing management services. The introduction of the decent homes standard in 2004 led KCTMO to alter its governance structure to that of an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) allowing it to access funding which was not available to local authorities and TMOs.
Ordinarily, Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) are formed by local communities in response to dissatisfaction with the services they receive from their social landlord. TMO is a generic term and covers all of our members across the country who provide housing services from community-based offices, are run by residents who live in the homes they manage and have staff who are directly responsible to residents. The majority of TMOs manage under 500 homes and all tailor their services to meet the unique needs of their residents and who usually use smaller contractors than those appointed by their landlord.
Tenant management, as the name implies, is rooted in the communities it serves and actively provided by those who live in that area. As it evolved the remoteness of KCTMO from those it served, both intellectually and through centralised offices, together with its size (c 9,500 homes) we believe ultimately contributed to the way in which the concerns of residents were (not) addressed.
We do therefore take issue with the description of the management company as the “TMO” rather than the use of its correct name Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO). By contrast the local council is referred to as RBKC reflecting its correct name.
The report makes clear that this was a tragedy rooted in the failures of a wide range of companies, regulatory bodies and organisations which should have ensured the safety of all the residents of Grenfell Tower. That they all failed in this and that the concerns of residents were then ignored or dismissed is shocking. Such attitudes unfortunately reflect the lived experience of too many residents of social housing and is the major reason why residents look to take matters into their own hands through the establishment of TMOs.
We welcome the recommendations of this report and hope that it will herald a sea change in the responsibilities and accountabilities of landlords towards their residents.
Periodically it’s important that every company reviews it governing document. In the case of the NFTMO this is our Articles of Association and it’s time that we ensured that they are still fit for purpose and meet the aims of the organisation. Whilst a review doesn’t automatically mean that the document will change or be amended it’s likely that this will be the case in this instance.
A copy of the current Articles can be found here and whilst the Executive Committee will undertake the review it will be for the members to agree to any proposed changes. This is most likely to be at next years Annual General Meeting (AGM). However, we will make sure that any proposed changes are notified to members well ahead of this. We are also more than happy to consider any changes proposed by members as part of the review. Just let us know at [email protected] of any changes you think should be made.
A couple of interesting articles from the Directory of Social Change on the subject of inclusion in recruitment and the use of language. Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership have produced a reference guide for the use of language which challenges us to consider the impact words and terms can have on those we work with.
Oxfam have produced a similar guide which shows that whilst the changes in our language may appear small they can have a much bigger affect on residents who use our services in the TMO sector. Equally important is to review our use of language regularly because times change as does language with which people feel comfortable.
Consideration o9f issues such as these will play an important part in making our communities feel safe and secure.
