Reflecting the Association’s growing activity across East Central Scotland, Kingdom tenants from Fife and Clackmannan travelled to Falkirk to meet local tenants in combined tenants’ sessions and to enjoy a boat trip and a visit to the Falkirk Wheel.

Bill Banks, chief executive at Kingdom, said: “The arrangements for the event were based on suggestions from tenants on how they could better engage in the work of the association and we were keen to arrange an event that was relaxed, while still making a positive contribution to our tenant participation strategy.”

The tenants’ conference provided an informal opportunity for tenants to network with each other and discuss the services provided. The programme also included a facilitated allocations session where tenants were asked to consider a range of scenarios and talk about the allocations process, giving particular consideration to factors such as a landlord’s statutory duties and recent legislative changes.

The sessions were a great success and the tenants gained an insight into the allocations process, while doing practical exercises facilitated by Lesley Baird from TPAS Scotland.

The event was opened by Norah Smith, Kingdom’s director of housing and care. Norah welcomed the tenants and outlined that the objective for the day was to seek views of tenants and provide some information on the Association’s strategies.

Norah thanked all the tenants who had given up their time to attend and participate at the event and commended the good work the Association’s Scrutiny Panel had been progressing over the last year.

The programme included the opportunity to meet a representative from Fife Constabulary, who demonstrated examples of ATM fraud and explained how to detect and prevent it. Kingdom’s energy advisor, Michael Hui, also met the tenants and gave them some tips on saving money on their gas and electric bills.

The gathering was open to tenants and their families and while the adults participated in the allocation exercises, the children enjoyed games and face painting.

Max Scotto, tenant participation officer at Kingdom, said: “We would like to thank all the tenants who attended this special event despite the rain, travelling from as far as Tayport and from as close as Tullibody.”

Max added: “We are keen to arrange future events in different locations and we have encouraged tenants to contact us with suggestions.”