Bracknell

Bracknell Forest tenants and leaseholders were out in force last Saturday (June 17) to celebrate ten years of the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Panel (T&LP).

Local Bracknell tenants and guests kicked off a party at South Hill Park by launching balloons into the sky as part of a competition organised by Bracknell Borough Council. The balloons were labelled with the names of tenants who entered the competition and the name on the balloon found furthest away from South Hill Park will win £50 worth of shopping vouchers along with the person who finds the balloon.

Guests included panel members past and present since the group began in 1996 and the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Champion Cllr Mrs Shelagh Pile.

Bracknell Tenants recalled the successful work the panel has been involved in over the years, including involvement in all phases of the project looking at the options for running Council housing in the borough, meeting with tenants from other boroughs to share ideas, representing all tenants and leaseholders and giving their views on how to improve the housing service.

Around 35 guests also made the most of the weather and the celebration by having a barbecue in the grounds of South Hill Park.

Jacki Brundish, Acting Chair of the Bracknell Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Panel, said: “This event has been organised to celebrate the anniversary of a successful panel and to thank everyone who has been involved with it and put in many hours’ voluntarily since it began.

Bracknell Cllr Mrs Shelagh Pile enjoyed the day and said: “This is an important milestone in tenant participation in housing matters. The day went very well and it is good to see such a dedicated group volunteering their time to find out about housing matters and take charge of tenant involvement.”

“The Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Panel is a vital group which works with the Council to inform decisions about services.

“It is a particularly busy time as new panel members have just been elected and we are reviewing the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Compact, and considering the Your Homes : the Way Forward project about the best future for our tenants’ homes.”

To find out more about the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Panel or to take part in housing consultation contact 01344 351570.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council