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July news

Summer fun at the gazebo

During the summer, Portsmouth City Council’s resident participation team are inviting tenants and leaseholders to find out more about the council’s housing services. 

A host of housing staff will set up a gazebo at key locations across Portsmouth and Havant.  Residents will be able to take part in fun activities at the gazebo while they find out about housing services and information on how to become a volunteer to benefit the local community.

The council has over 25,300 tenants and leaseholders and ensuring they participate in council activities is crucial to delivering effective and efficient housing services.  The resident participation team is a dedicated resource and promotes a range of opportunities for residents, including:  

• the residents’ consortium which plays an active role in creating the council’s housing strategy, policies and practices and to ensure the tenant and leaseholder voice is heard
• the consortium link group which is formed of yearly elected residents who represent particular groups to support their needs and interests
• a range of portfolio focus groups on areas such as repairs and maintenance, anti-social behaviour and sheltered housing
• the creation of resident associations and street and housing block representatives
• the HouseTalk editorial panel for residents to contribute articles to the resident magazine
• funding for residents who want to hold community events or undertake projects to improve their area
• a range of training courses and special conferences to offer personal development opportunities
• the navigators resource centre which provides meeting rooms, IT facilities and access to the internet
• support to help residents with childcare, travel and administration expenses

Resident volunteer, Gordon Croucher, said: “I’ve been involved in the Wingfield Street resident association for more than 17 years, much of that as the chair.  I’ve also attended police committee meetings and have been involved in regenerating Buckland. 

“I want to make the area better for all the residents who live here.  It is also a good way of meeting people. I’d like to encourage younger people to be involved and come along to meetings.”

“Along with other resident groups and representatives in Buckland, I think we've improved community spirit.  I also think we've helped to improve the cleanliness and maintenance of the area where we live.”

Bill Moody, Portsmouth City Council’s Policy and Participation Manager, said: “We are looking forward to the gazebo events over the summer - it’s a great opportunity for us to meet residents. 

“We want to inform as many people as possible about the range of opportunities available and encourage more people to get involved.  We want to let residents know they have the chance to shape the future of the housing services they receive.”    

Cllr Steven Wylie, Portsmouth City Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said: “I would like to encourage council tenants and leaseholders to go along to the gazebo events and find out about resident participation and the services available. 

“We want to ensure that residents are involved with housing service delivery as their feedback is invaluable for improving services.  

To find out more about resident participation and the events they are holding, call 0800 032 1531, email participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk

The resident participation team will be setting up their gazebo at the following venues, dates and times:

• Thursday 3 July Wimpole Court, Landport 10 am to 1 pm
• Tuesday 8 July Cumberland Street, Portsea 10 am to 1 pm
• Tuesday 15 July Estella Road, Grafton Street, Buckland 10 am to 4 pm
• Wednesday 16 July Minerals Estate, Somerstown 3 pm to 5 pm
• Thursday 17 July Midway Road/Northern Parade, Paulsgrove 1 pm to 3 pm
• Friday 18 July Park Parade, Leigh Park 1pm to 3 pm
• Tuesday 22 July Cornwallis Crescent, Landport 10 am to 12 pm
• Friday 25 July ? Wecock Farm 10 am to 12 pm
• Monday 28 July Stamshaw Green, Buckland 3 pm to 5 pm
• Thursday 31 July Eastern Road, Baffins 3 pm to 5 pm
• Thursday 7 August Bridgeside Close, Landport 1 pm to 3 pm
• Thursday 14 August St George’s Square, Portsea 1pm to 3 pm
• Monday 18 August Warren Park Shops, Leigh Park 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
• Tuesday 19 August Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove 4 pm to 6 pm
• Wednesday 20 August Yorke Street, Somerstown 10 am to 12 pm
• Thursday 28 August Crown Court, Landport 11 am to 1 pm

Date : 07 July 2008

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