Thenue’s scrutinisers in the running for top award
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A group of tenants tasked with scrutinising the work of Thenue Housing Association is in the running for a major award.
The association’s Resident Empowerment Scrutiny Team (REST) - set up just 18 months ago - has been shortlisted for the TIS National Excellence Awards.
The awards recognise and celebrate “truly outstanding work” by those who are making a difference in their community and the housing sector.
Thenue’s REST team are shortlisted in one of six keenly-contest categories – the Most Inspiring Scrutiny Group.
The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony hosted by actress Libby McArthur on June 6 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. The ceremony is part of the 2015 TIS Annual Conference.
The development comes just seven months after the REST team triumphed at the Customer Scrutiny Inspection 2014 Awards in Manchester when it won the Recognising Positive Practice in Scrutiny Scotland category – a remarkable achievement for such a newly-formed group.
REST was created by the Association as part of its ongoing and deep-rooted commitment to transparency and to enable the team to look at its work in an impartial manner.
It is made up of tenants who, crucially, are not on the management committee. REST has been described as a “critical friend” who is unafraid to examine and comment on the work of the association.
In one of its early successes, REST created a new and easy-to-understand booklet designed to help tenants who may encounter anti-social behaviour problems.
REST identified this as an area whereby it could effectively contribute to helping other tenants understand how Thenue tackles anti social behaviour and the processes and help available in tackling this often difficult issue.
Scrutiny is understandably high on the agenda of tenants’ organisations, the Scottish Housing Regulator and the Scottish Government and there is an increasing realisation among housing providers that this is a vital component of transparency.
Thenue chief executive Charlie Turner has described the scrutinisers as the “eyes and ears” of the association.
Charlie added: “We regard REST as a critical friend - scrutinising our work and being unafraid to raise matters that are considered important to tenants. The creation of REST is a further example of Thenue’s commitment to transparency. We congratulate the group on being shortlisted for the TIS National Excellence Awards.”
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