By The Tenant Involvement Team, Rachel Cole & Rob Gooding
As part of our contract with RMBC we must deliver two Building Safety engagement sessions a year with at least 8 tenants attending each session. This was our third session.
Over the past year, we have worked closely with RMBC staff to build a good relationship with the tenants who live in the flats. We have listened to the tenants; spoke about any concerns they might have and have helped them have a voice. We feel that tenant involvement has improved significantly as we are getting to know the tenants and gain their trust.
RMBC put together a letter informing tenants that the next building safety session was set for Wednesday 25 February, from 6pm until 8pm in the meeting room on the mezzanine level. A buffet was provided by RotherFed.
We carried out two door knocks prior to the session. The first one was at the beginning of February where we knocked on all tenants’ doors to advise them of the session and give them a letter. The second door knock was two days before the meeting. From both door knocks we got the opportunity to speak to tenants generally about any issues they might have about the building and their flats, which included problems with damp and mould, people accessing the building who shouldn’t be in, drafty windows, radiators not working etc. From the tenants we spoke to, they feel safe in their homes and are very happy with the work RMBC are doing for fire safety. However, it’s the other issues that are making them feel unsafe in their homes and they would like to see representatives from other departments i.e. housing, anti-social behaviour at the six-monthly meetings so they can voice their concerns. A few tenants also feel that the building in general is being neglected, it is a listed iconic building, and they feel it should be better taken care of.
One couple told us that Beeversleigh flats opened its doors to the first residents in January 1971 and cost £227,000 to build, the flats were named after the Housing Committee Chairman, Alderman Bill Beevers and they shared the newspaper article with us.
The session took place, and 16 residents attended which is a great turnout. Rotherfed and RMBC Officers including fire safety, housing, repairs and anti-social behaviour attended. RMBC fire safety staff gave an update on the incoming PEEP regulations which come into force on 6 April, mandatory occurrence reporting, they gave dates of the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue drills which are taking place and spoke to tenants about a structural survey that will be taking place on the building. They then opened it up for Q&A. Tenants then had the opportunity to speak to other officers’ present and raise any problems/concerns that they had. The meeting was a very positive one.
Drop-in sessions will continue on the last Wednesday of the month for a couple of hours. RMBC staff and Rotherfed staff will continue to attend these and the local PCSO’s have also expressed an interest in holding their own drop-in sessions to support the tenants.
