Tag: Edinburgh Tenants Federation

Lifetime Achievement Award for Edinburgh housing charity champion

The convenor of Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF), a local housing charity, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organisation at their latest AGM.  

The recipient of the award, Betty Stone (formerly Betty Stevenson) became convenor of the charity in 2005 and has been a volunteer and activist for the organisation for over 30 years.  

Edinburgh Tenants Federation is a tenant-led charity that supports tenants across Edinburgh to understand their housing rights, have their voices heard, and influence decisions about housing and related services locally, city-wide, and nationally.  

In a letter acknowledging the award, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Jane Meagher said: “I have known Betty for a very long time, and I have never met anyone who has shown such care, commitment and dedication to her work.

“She has long fought for better housing conditions for people in Edinburgh and tenants across the city have known no stauncher champion of their rights than Betty. This award is most well deserved and I’m sure will be welcomed by the many, many people that Betty has helped over the years.” 

Betty was presented the award by Vice-Convenor Paul Vaughan at the organisation’s AGM.

The evening saw Betty renominated to the organisation’s Executive Committee as Convenor for a further term of three years.  

Following receipt of the award, Betty said: “I am honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from Edinburgh Tenants Federation, especially this year as we celebrate our 35th anniversary.  

“I have worked as volunteer campaigning for better housing services in Edinburgh for the past 30 years. I have witnessed a lot of change in the housing landscape, yet, reflecting on my journey, I can see similarities between now and the 90s, and how in many cases we are still working to ensure social housing in Edinburgh is safe and accessible.” 

Betty encouraged people to get involved in the local community and join the Federation, saying: “It’s the collective voice of the people that gets the job done. Those interested in setting up a residents’ and tenants’ group, or even just learning more about housing in Edinburgh should reach out to become a part of our network.” 

Founded in 1990 from a merger of tenant networks to collaborate over similar housing issues, ETF has been at the forefront of the housing debate in Edinburgh campaigning for better tenants’ rights in areas such as stock transfer, rent increases and tenant living conditions.

Today, its volunteers work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to help inform tenant participation strategy across the city.   

Join the Federation – it’s free!

Joining Edinburgh Tenants Federation is simple. Membership is completely free of charge and open to any tenants’ or residents’ organisations in Edinburgh – regardless of who your landlord is.

Equally, if you live in an area without a tenants’ group, you can still join as an individual associate member, and organisations that share our aims and values can also become associate members.  

To find out more about membership, contact the Federation office by email at info@edinburghtenants.org.uk or call 0131 475 2509. 

Edinburgh Tenants Federation celebrates 35 Years at Scottish Parliament reception

Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) has celebrated its 35-year anniversary at a Scottish Parliamentary reception hosted by Sarah Boyack MSP, whilst launching a refreshed identity in line with the organisation’s future ambitions. 

Edinburgh Tenants Federation is a tenant-led charity that supports tenants across Edinburgh to understand their housing rights, have their voices heard, and influence decisions about housing and related services locally, city-wide, and nationally.  

The Scottish Parliament celebration featured speeches from Sarah Boyack MSP, who hosted the organisation’s 25th anniversary in 2015, as well as newly elected City of Edinburgh Council Housing Convenor, Councillor Tim Pogson. 

MSP Gordon MacDonald also attended the celebration, along with representatives from the City of Edinburgh Council and ETF staff, past and present. 

Sarah Boyack MSP said: “It’s amazing to be here to celebrate the collective voice of tenants in Edinburgh; a voice that is heard, respected and acted upon.  

“Edinburgh Tenants Federation is that organisation on the ground listening to these voices, ensuring that tenants’ lives are transformed for the better.” 

Attendees also heard from ETF Convenor, Betty Stone who has served as Chair of the organisation since 2005, having been involved as a volunteer since the Federation’s inception. Reflecting on the past, Betty noted the achievements of the organisation, thanks to the countless hours poured in by volunteers and encouraged attendees to browse the archive display of photos and newsletters dating back to 1985. 

Founded in 1990 from a merger of tenant networks to collaborate over similar housing issues, ETF has been at the forefront of the housing debate in Edinburgh campaigning for better tenants’ rights in areas such as stock transfer, rent increases and tenant living conditions.

Today, its volunteers work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to help inform tenant participation strategy across the city.   

Looking at the organisation’s ambitions moving forward, Ilene Campbell, former CEO and current Associate at the Tenant Information Service (TIS) gave attendees a sneak-peak at the refreshed branding, mission, vison and values that has been launched to coincide with the organisation’s 35th year.   

The charity’s new identity is driven forward by their three-year mission statement: through collaboration, representation, and meaningful participation, ETF tenant volunteers will work with tenants’ and residents’ groups, The City of Edinburgh Council, housing organisations, and key decision makers to strengthen communities and drive positive change. 

Speaking of the organisation’s new visual identity and updated mission, vison and values, Betty Stone, ETF Convenor said: “This is a major milestone for our organisation as we celebrate our 35th year.

“With a clear purpose firmly embedded, we can move forward with our commitment to supporting tenants to understand their rights, amplifying their voices, and influencing the housing decisions that affect them every day.  

“By building on our strong foundations and refreshing our mission, vision, and values, we are well placed to grow our reach, increase our impact, and continue driving positive change for tenants across the capital.  

“If you are a tenant or part of a tenants’ or residents’ organisation in Edinburgh and want to be part of an organisation that makes a real difference in communities, I would encourage you to join us.” 

Join the Federation – it’s free!

Joining Edinburgh Tenants Federation is simple. Membership is completely free of charge and open to any tenants’ or residents’ organisations in Edinburgh – regardless of who your landlord is. Equally, if you live in an area without a tenants’ group, you can still join as an individual associate member, and organisations that share our aims and values can also become associate members.  

To find out more about membership, contact the Federation office by email at info@edinburghtenants.org.uk or call 0131 475 2509. 

Edinburgh Tenants Federation to discuss damp and mould

THURSDAY 9th OCTOBER 6 – 8pm at NORTON PARK

Calling all tenants! Join ETF and a member of CEC for our next Federation Meeting to discuss damp and mould in the home.

Thursday 9th of October

6pm – 8pm

Norton Park Conference Centre

Call 0131 475 2509 or email info@edinburghtenants.org.uk if you require transport

Edinburgh MPs initiate dialogue between tenants and Places for People

THREE Edinburgh Labour MPs – Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith), Dr Scott Arthur (Edinburgh South West), and Chris Murray (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) – came together with Places for People Scotland and tenants from across the city on Wednesday to build on joint engagement activity addressing housing queries.

After being elected, Tracy Gilbert MP noticed a trend in complaints and organised this meeting to support both tenants and Places for People Scotland.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Edinburgh MPs arranged the meeting with Places for People Scotland and Edinburgh Tenants Federation to support local tenants to proactively seek support on matters relating to their communities.

The meeting is a further step in the work Places for People Scotland has undertaken in the past 18 months in increasing customer engagement across the city.

The meeting covered matters raised by customers including understanding service charges, heating, and repairs and maintenance, as well as customer engagement.

By bringing all parties together, the MPs sought to bring together tenants’ voices to continue open, constructive, and effective dialogue.

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “Tenants deserve to feel heard and supported by their housing provider. As Edinburgh MPs, we were pleased to facilitate this meeting so residents could raise their concerns directly and begin to build stronger channels of communication.

“A lot of the issues raised centred on the transparency of bills from factors and the lack of clarity in communications.

“We hope that over the coming months these matters can be resolved, giving residents the confidence and reassurance they deserve.”

Dr Scott Arthur MP added: “Tenants in Edinburgh South West have understandably lost confidence in the service provided by Places for People Scotland.

“I’m therefore pleased that this meeting offered a chance to reset the relationship. It’s now in everyone’s best interest to work together constructively to rebuild trust and deliver the high-quality services that residents rightly expect and deserve.”

Chris Murray MP said: “I welcome Places for People Scotland’s commitment to an open, engaged, and transparent relationship with their tenants – demonstrated by our community meeting tonight.

“However, an engaged, transparent, and supportive housing provider and property factor should not be an exception, but an expectation.

“I will continue to work alongside residents, my fellow MPs, and Places for People Scotland, to ensure this is achieved.”

Kelly Brown, Director of Places for People Scotland, commented: “We recognise that there have been times in recent years where our communication with customers should have been better and we have taken the appropriate steps to improve this.

“Yesterday’s meeting marked another positive step forward, demonstrating what can be achieved when we work together.

“We are always listening. Over the last 18 months, we’ve worked closely with our customers and local MPs to improve the overall customer experience. For those whose homes are powered by a district heating system, we’ve brought in an internal expert to review all tariffs and procure a new partner.

“We remain committed to driving further improvements to ensure we provide a service that our customers can be proud of.”

Housing is a matter devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Capital marks Challenge Poverty Week

The city council and partners from across the city are marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October 2024, Challenge Poverty Week is a national campaign highlighting the challenges people living in poverty are facing and how we can work together to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live.

The Edinburgh Tenants Federation held a free event at Norton Park Conference Centre on Monday, featuring stalls, support and guest speakers discussing Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

On Wednesday, End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of people with lived experience of poverty, held their second citizen-led conference at the Grassmarket Community Project, supported by the Council.

This year’s event focused on collective action to combat community exclusion, focusing on child poverty, health and wellbeing,

The Council will publish the results of the city’s latest annual poverty report tomorrow (Friday 11 October).

This report will provide the fourth annual overview on progress made by the Council and partners in response to the calls to action made by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to end poverty by 2030, and will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee later this month (22 October).

Throughout the week, a series of blogs will be shared by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission shining a light on council support and services.

Edinburgh Leisure is also highlighting the help and support it can offer people experiencing barriers to an active lifestyle, including the option of a Get Active Card which provides affordable access to venues for people in receipt of certain benefits.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “In a thriving Capital city like Edinburgh it is shocking that thousands of people are suffering from low incomes, high living costs and even homelessness.

“That’s why we’ve made it a commitment of this Council to do all that we can with our partners to end poverty. Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts and make sure people know where to turn to for support.

“We’ve made good progress delivering against the targets set by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission four years ago and we’re looking forward to publishing the results of our annual report later this week.

“The funding and the support we’ve put in place is making a real difference to people’s lives, but the cost of living has risen. We face a housing emergency, and we need to prioritise this work now, more than ever.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

More information about events taking place across Edinburgh can be found on Eventbrite. Information, advice and support for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages.

Council Rent Consultation: Edinburgh Tenants Federation support sessions

Edinburgh Tenants Federation are holding in-person and online support sessions for any Edinburgh Council tenants who want to respond to the city council’s Rent Consultation.

Please contact Shona Agnew – shona@edinburghtenants.org.uk / telephone 07399584282 if you wish to book on one of the dates listed.

BREAKING: Rent freeze for Edinburgh tenants

Edinburgh’s council tenants will be spared a rent rise following a vote at today’s Budget meeting.

Conservative, Green and Lib Dem opposition councillors submitted an emergency motion this morning and have comfortably defeated the city’s Capital Coalition SNP – Labour administration in a key vote on the council’s Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy.

Hailing the vote as a victory for Edinburgh’s poorest citizens during the pandemic, the Greens said the decision was ‘environmental justice’.

Housing Convener Cllr Kate Campbell responded: “Edinburgh faces huge housing challenges and this £2 million is money we can ill-afford to lose. This decision will have a detrimental impact on low-income familes.

“We are listening to our tenants and that is why we put forward this HRA report. We are doing what they asked us to do.”

More to follow …

Ghosts of Budgets past (passed?)

UNISON: ‘Local government is at the point of collapse’

UNISON City of Edinburgh branch, has raised fears about the further budget cuts being presented to the city’s full council meeting today and condemns both the Scottish and UK governments for the continuing underfunding of Local Government. 

Over the past 10 years the council has seen hundreds of millions of pounds slashed from its budget resulting in hundreds of job losses, cuts to services, and the closing of third sector organisations. 

“Local government is at the point of collapse and the Scottish and UK Governments have done very little to prevent its demise while at the same time due to COVID-19 has asked it to do more,” said the union’s branch secretary Tom Connolly. 

“Providing services from the cradle to the grave, local government and the services it provides impact on all citizens. The continuing underfunding can have a serious impact on the effectiveness of the services being provided.” 

UNISON, the biggest union representing workers in Edinburgh council,  says that those employed in local government are fire fighting to keep services running, they feel undervalued and the increasing high levels of stress amongst staff is an example of the negative impact on the health and wellbeing of those staff. 

UNISON’s Plug the Gap campaign https://www.unison-scotland.org/protect-our-council-services/ has called on the government to bridge the £1 billion funding gap in local Government. COSLA has also called for the action to be taken to bridge the Funding Gap. 

“Everyone suffers if Local Government is not provided the funding that it needs to provide meaningful services across our communities,” added Tom Connolly. 

“Staff in local government need to be rewarded and paid well for the jobs that they do, there are many low paid workers in local government providing face to face support to or most vulnerable children and adults, in school, care homes etc.  

“Other council staff keep our public buildings clean, keep our roads clear, clean our streets and empty our bins, administrative and clerical workers dealing with benefits and other essential administrative tasks, all examples of low paid and undervalued workers who have continued to keep the city running.   

“These workers now need to be given the value that they have always deserved and rewarded with decent pay and conditions. Clapping does not pay the bills.”

As the city council’s budget meeting gets underway, some images from budgets past:

Silent Slaughter: Community groups and Trade Unions urge council cuts rethink

Capital Coalition poised to slash city services by more than £34 million 

Campaigners from North Edinburgh Save Our Services and representatives from Edinburgh Tenants Federation will appeal to city councillors to draw back from making swingeing cuts to council services across the city when they speak at  deputations to the City Council’s Budget meeting on Thursday. Continue reading Silent Slaughter: Community groups and Trade Unions urge council cuts rethink