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Tenant empowerment

Somerset West and Taunton Council came into being on 1 April 2019, bringing together Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council. The tenant groups which existed under Taunton Deane Borough Council formally ceased on that date, and the new Council worked to develop a new tenant empowerment structure which would meet the needs of our tenants. The Tenants’ Strategic Group and Tenants’ Action Group.

These groups enable tenants to have their voices heard, make it easy to raise concerns to those in the Council who make the decisions and to influence and shape what the Council does.

A new Tenants’ Strategic Group replaced the Tenant Services Management Board. During 2021 nominations for new group members were sought.

As of April 2021, the current members are:

  • Alex Akhigbemen 
  • Samantha Rickward
  • Jessie Bunn
  • Ivor Hussey
  • Paul Cram
  • Kevin Hellier
  • Luke Manning
  • Colin England
  • Councillor Mark Lithgow (Elected Councillor)
  • Councillor Janet Lloyd (Shadow Housing Portfolio Holder)

Tenants Strategic Group Terms of Reference

View minutes and agendas from the Tenant Strategic Group meetings.

We have also developed a Tenants Action Group which has replaced the Tenants Forum and the Supported Housing Development Group. The current members are:

There will also be opportunities to become a member of either group in future years and we will advertise these widely. If you are interested in being involved next year you can let us know through the general enquiries form.

During the year we also have several Tenant Start and finish Groups, we currently have the following groups:

  • Voids Group
  • Damp & Mould Group
  • Low Carbon  Working Group
  • New Council Steering Group
  • Mystery Shopper Group

If you are interested in becoming an engaged tenant (someone who wants to work with the council and get involved) please ring 0300 304 8000 and ask for Sharon Yarde or Sharon Sloan or e-mail: housingperformance@somersetwestandtaunton