Tenant participation newsletter: making a difference

A chat with the Chair of the North of Scotland Regional
Network of Registered Tenant Organisations

1. Who are you?

I’m Bill Chapman, Chair of the North of Scotland Regional Network, or as we call it Region 1.

2. Where do you live?

I live in Aboyne, a wee village about 30 miles west of Aberdeen and 15 miles from Ballater. Most people will recognise Ballater as the village that took the brunt of Storm Frank back in December 2015 after the River Dee burst its banks.

3. What are you involved in both locally and nationally?

On a local level, I am Chairman of the Osprey Housing Group, which incorporates Osprey Housing, Osprey Housing (Moray) and Osprey Initiatives.

I’m also involved in NETRALT, a local initiative to bring tenants, residents and landlords together in the North East of Scotland. NETRALT does an amazing job and I’m gutted I cannot devote more time helping out.

Nationally, there is the Regional Network and within this I co-ordinate the SHR Liaison Group. Until recently I was also on the Board of TPAS.

4. What do you like about being involved with the Regional Networks?

The Regional Networks are an excellent forum to influence housing policy and to put tenant and residents perspectives into the work that we do. We have achieved much in the relatively short time we have been established. Today we have representatives on the Joint Housing Policy Delivery Group; the Age, Home and Community Advisory Group; the Housing and Social Security Group and the Scottish Housing Regulator Liaison Group. In addition to this, we continually engage with Ministers on matters that are important to us, such as the Housing Revenue Account. It is fair to say that we are now a respected voice within the housing sector.

5. What do you like to get up to in your spare time?

Spare time? Any time I have spare I like to spend with my wife, children and especially my grandchildren. I also like to relax by listening to all kinds of classical music – not the family’s favourite genre. In the summer, I like to watch my wife transform the garden with colour. I’m a disaster in the garden so I’m best sitting on the lounger, admiring the views and taking in the sun!

6. What do you think the networks have achieved in their first year of the new structure?

There is a better appreciation of what the networks do and all Regional Network committee members have, for example, an opportunity to attend the Chairs and Secretaries meetings and input their views accordingly. There are also opportunities for members to attend the meeting with the Housing Minister, and I know that all members of the SHR liaison group attend the pre-meeting with two of them going on to the meeting proper.

The training for members will shortly start which will be good for the networks.

We have to remember that this is early days for the restructured networks and even allowing for teething problems, a lot has still been achieved. Of course none of this would be possible without the help of the Tenant Participation Team at the Scottish Government, who facilitate the groups, meetings etc. with their knowledge, professionalism and good humour.

Background

Bill has been the Chair of the North of Scotland Regional Network for its first year under the newly created geographical structure, which seen the networks being reduced to four across Scotland from the previous nine.

The networks are made up of council and housing association tenant and resident groups and they work to influence the development of national housing policy, ensuring tenants and resident views are reflected in policy discussions. They work in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Achievements include:

For more information contact tpadminsupport@gov.scot