This information can be made available in a range of languages and alternative formats such as electronic copies (for example e-mail), or in large print, Braille or audiotape. Please contact the Communications Team on
(0191) 4268370.
More on language and translation
Our Language Statement
Formal Involvement
South Tyneside Homes Board
The board is a panel of 12 people made up of four individual tenants and leaseholders, four councillors and four independent people chosen for their professional skills. The ALMO board is consulted on a range of issues and makes the major decisions in improving the service across the Borough.
More on the South Tyneside Homes Board
South Tyneside Tenants’ Forum
One of the many ways in which we listen to the views of our tenants is through the Tenants’ Forum. The forum is currently made up of 11 residents from across the borough who represent the residents’ groups in their area.
The Tenants’ Forum meets monthly to receive reports from South Tyneside Homes on service developments, how we are performing and to discuss any new things that are planned. During these meetings, there is plenty of opportunity for Forum members to put their views forward in a constructive way.
Community Area Forums (CAFs)
CAFs give you the opportunity to come along to a venue in your area and meet with us, local councilors and other people who have an influence on what happens in your community. They give you the chance to find out more about what is happening in your area and what will affect you. Forums give you a real chance to have your say and get involved in making those changes happen for the better.
More on Community Area Forums (CAFs)
Residents’ groups
Tenants’ and residents’ associations and community groups are groups of people representing tenants and leaseholders living in an area, block, shelter or street.
They put forward views and concerns about their housing, community and local issues and take part in the decision making process. Tenants and leaseholders in residents’ groups can be involved in a wide range of issues from large scale improvements and matters of policy, to organising social events and festivals.
Funding is available (subject to successful application) for running and administration costs of residents’ groups. For more information please see our terms of reference which sets out what we ask from residents’ groups we work with and what services we can offer in return.
There are 16 Residents Associations in the borough.
Focus groups
Focus groups are established for service users from similar backgrounds or from specific communities to help us ensure our services meet their needs. We are currently developing focus groups for hard-to-reach service users including young people, older people, people with disabilities and people from the BME communities in South Tyneside. For more information on our commitment to involving hard-to-reach service users please see our Reaching Out Hard to Reach Strategy 2007/08 and Reaching Out Hard to Reach Action Plan 2007/08.
Service Improvement Groups
Service Improvement Groups (or SIGs) are established groups of tenants who look at specific service areas and help them improve those services. So far the SIGs have been involved in setting service standards and identifying and shaping improvements in their service area. Currently there are 8 SIGs: Lettings (Your Choice), repairs, customer care, Rent and Income Management, Estate Management and Anti-Social Behaviour, Involvement, Sheltered Housing and Decent Homes.
Area Panels
There are three Area Panels in South Tyneside:
East Shields/Boldon/Cleadon/Whitburn
Contact Officer: Ashley Hankinson (426 8337)
Hebburn/Jarrow
Contact Officer Nick Huston (426 8338)
Riverside/West Shields
Contact Officer Shaun McGonnell (426 8336)
Each Panel is made up of 4 councillors and 4 tenants/ leaseholders (maximum of 1 per panel) who work together to make decisions on how their budget is allocated to priorities in their area.
Leaseholders’ forum
The leaseholders’ forum is to discuss issues that affect leaseholders, such as service charges, buildings insurance and quality of repairs. The group meets on the monthly.
You don’t need any experience to join, just an interest in services we provide for leaseholders. Contact the Right to Buy Team on (0191) 426 8380 for further details.
