Residents' Participation
The main achievement of Residents’ participation in Neath Port
Talbot has been the establishment of a growing number of local
groups with whom Housing Services is regularly in touch to discuss
the needs, hopes and problems of their areas.
Alongside these we also have the Borough Forum which is made up
of representatives of the local groups and which meets regularly to
discuss issues of a wider impact. There is also a Sheltered Forum
consisting of representatives of all 22 sheltered complexes run by
Neath Port Talbot
The Housing Service has committed itself to involving local
people in the decision making process in matters that directly
affect them and their homes and communities. Sometimes the issues
raised are outside the control of Housing, such as Traffic or
Refuse Collection. When this happens we have undertaken to act as a
mediator with the other service providers that make up the council
and its partners. In every case so far this has been a successful
partnership.
The way in which we work with local groups is outlined in the
“Residents’ Participation Agreement” which we sign up to once we
have established a regular pattern of meetings and discussions.
When we do this we knock every door in the area concerned and
discuss it with every household.
At present we have active groups in the following areas:
- Cefn Llan, Bethesda Rd and Cilmaengwyn in Pontardawe;
- Penywern, Ffordd Emlyn and Godre'r Graig iin Ystalyfera
- Fairyland and the Town Centre Flats in Neath
- Bryn Bedd in the Dulais Valley,
- Croeserw in the Afan Valley
- Briton Ferry East and
- Sandfields
Between them these groups have been responsible for some
considerable improvements to their communities and also for some
serious re-consideration of the way in which the Housing Service
conducts some of its day-to-day business. Roads have been
re-surfaced, new drainage systems installed, playgrounds erected,
demolition of unused properties agreed, traffic calming measures
discussed and too many more things to mention here. The most
important thing is that we asked “What do you think is the
priority?” and then we listened to the answer and acted on it.
We are also meeting with individuals and community groups in
several different areas of the borough with a view to establishing
participation in those areas. If you wish to be involved in such
discussions you can either contact your area Housing Officer or the
Participation Officer as below. We are always willing to talk to
and meet new people and groups - especially those tenant and
resident groups that are out there that we don't actually deal with
yet.
Contact Details:
If you want to find out about an existing group – where &
when it meets, or are thinking you could do something in your area
then we want to hear from you. We are:
- Residents’ Participation Officer (Borough-wide): Terry
Flynn
- Residents’ Participation Officer, (Supported Housing): Cathy
Richards.
Cathy Richards
c.richards3@npt.gov.uk
Terry Flynn
t.flynn@npt.gov.uk
Tel Number: 01639 763750
The Residents’ Participation Officer,
Room 240,
The Civic Centre,
Port Talbot
SA13 1PJ
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