The Tenant Participation Unit
Aims and objectives
Housing Services develops and supports tenant and resident groups to be actively involved in their communities via its Tenant Participation Unit. This is a dedicated team which The TPU aims to develop opportunities for maximum participation across the city by:
- acting as a resource for council tenants, leaseholders and staff
- offering up-to-date information and advice via written guidance including a comprehensive web site
- helping to form tenant and resident groups by providing advice, support and training as well as grant funding.
- arranging conferences and information events to keep residents informed about council policies, strategies and procedures.
The TPU is responsible for developing policy and strategy for involving tenants and also provides support to existing consultative structures, including Tenant Compact Task groups, in which residents, officers and councillors work in partnership to review housing services.
The TPU team are also involved in local consultation on Manchester's Housing Investment Options strategy for, including street consultation, door-to-door surveys and information events at key points in the timetable for each area
Background
The Tenant Participation Unit was set up in 1985 in response to Section 105 of the 1985 Housing Act, which made it a legal requirement for the Council to consult its tenants on matters that substantially affect their tenancies. Manchester went further than most authorities at this time, establishing the TPU and making funds available for grants to tenant groups, including provision for some groups to have properties to use as bases for their activities.
TPU staff
TPU staff work on a geographical basis and also have responsibility for project work and supporting involvement in Tenant Compact Task Groups. Tenant Liaison Officers are involved in local consultation on Housing Investment Options and will increasingly be based in local offices as the consultation progresses (shown in final column of the table below).
| Phil Lukes | Principal Tenant Liaison Officer | Team Leader | Tel. 0161 234 4787 |
| Bryan Johnson | Admin Assistant | Provides administrative support to the team | Tel. 0161 234 4787 |
| Adam Purnell | Tenant Liaison Officer | Inner South wards: Hulme, Fallowfield, Whalley Range | 0161 834 1618 (Based at the Cornbrook Centre, Quenby St., Hulme, M15 4HW) |
| Maureen Ward | Tenant Liaison Officer | South Manchester wards: Chorlton, Chorlton Park, Old Moat, Withington, Burnage, Didsbury East, Didsbury West |
Tel. 0161 234 5443 (Based at Level 1, Heron House, PO Box 531 Manchester M60 2JX. |
| Les Graham | Tenant Liaison Officer | East Manchester wards: Ardwick, Gorton North, Gorton South, Longsight, Rusholme and Levenshulme and cover for Miles Platting and Collyhurst PFI Areas | Tel. 0161 234 4784 |
Transfer to new landlords
At the point of transfer of management or ownership of council homes, support for tenant involvement becomes the responsibility of the new landlord. Information on new housing providers can be found by following the links on our home page
