South Liverpool Homes blog

Since SLH was formed, we have always used an election process and up until 2011 every tenant got the opportunity to vote for the tenant they think should sit on the Board. From 2011, we changed this and used the SLH Tenants Assembly* as a more cost effective way of carrying out the election process. This meant that only active tenants received the right to vote.
Rather than relying on a vote and selecting the most popular candidate who puts themselves forward, we think a fairer option would be to recruit a Tenant Board Member based on skills and experience, using a similar process as a job application. This would mean that we would advertise a Tenant Board Member vacancy in Bulletin, on our website, on Facebook and in community venues across our neighbourhoods. We would request applications for the post and carry out interviews to appoint the best candidate.
So, what do you think?
Are you in favour of changing to a recruitment and selection process or do you think that tenants should have the right to elect a Tenant Board Member? You can tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment below, calling us, writing to us or by emailing us. Please tell us your thoughts by 17 May 2013. We will tell you in Summer Bulletin what feedback we received and what happens next.

*The Tenants Assembly is a pool of all tenants that get involved in the work that we do by attending meetings or events that SLH hold.

During Neighbours' Day on 31 May the Junior Board will be hosting SLH's Dragons' Den event so local community groups can pitch a project idea to our dragons for possible investment of £1000! The dragons are The Apprentice star Adam Corbally, SLH Chief Executive Julie Fadden, SLH Head of Finance Michael Whitehead and Junior Board member David Atkinson. Apply online now or give us a contact us for more information.

SLH welcome your feedback on our services whether they are complaints, compliments or comments as they all help us to improve services to you. Since April 2012, SLH has received 49 complaints. Here are some of the ways we have improved as a result of your feedback.

A tenant in Garston complained about the length of time we took to answer her rent query over the phone.
We agreed that this was unacceptable. As a result, all of our Customers Service Advisors attended a training course about how to deal with queries more efficiently. The team are now fully equipped to provide a high standard of service when dealing with all queries.

A home owner complained that his fence was damaged during the installation of another fence to an SLH home. He was disappointed that SLH did not repair it the same day. Following this complaint, the Fencing Team now provide adjoining tenants and home owners with a time scale for completing any repairs to their fencing when a same day repair is not possible.

A tenant in Speke was not happy about the length of time he had to wait for a new repair appointment after the contractor was unable to finish the work due to illness. We have worked with SLH Home Service to make sure that all repair jobs that are already in progress are given priority for revised appointments where necessary.

Why not tell us when we get it right?
A tenant complimented us on the way we communicate with tenants on Facebook. She said she had asked numerous questions and always received very prompt or satisfactory replies. We are really pleased with the compliment and hope more people use our Facebook page to communicate with us.Here are some of the ways you can give us your feedback:
Call us on 0330 303 3000
Online feedback form
Email us at info@slhgroup.co.uk
Write to SLH quoting Freepost RLUR-UUSC-BHBR,
South Liverpool Homes, Parklands, Speke, Liverpool, L24 0TY

35.5km Completed!

Since the programme started in October 2010, 1,179 homes have benefited from new fencing – that’s around 35.5 km of fencing. That’s the distance from our office to Formby!

The Fencing Programme has now been delivered to St Ambrose, Alderwood, Damwood, Boulevard View, The Mains, Vineyard and South Western. We are currently working in School Way.

If you live in the St. Christopher’s and North Western neighbourhoods, then you will be invited to an information day in April where we will give you more information about the upcoming fencing programme in your area. Please remember that if you owe us more than £399 or four weeks rent, you will be excluded from the programme until the amount you owe us is less than £399.

Been excluded from the fencing programme in the past because you owe us rent? Then you can still be added into next year’s programme, as long as you reduce your debt to less than £399 or four weeks rent. Contact your Neighbourhood Management Officer on 0330 303 3000 to make an arrangement to repay your debt.

Do you want to be able to cook healthy meals with fresh ingredients whilst saving money?

The cookery sessions are free and are run by Liverpool Community Cooks supported by SLH. They take place every Thursday 10am to 1pm at Noah’s Ark, Ganworth Road, Speke. The next 6 week course starts on 28 February 2013.

Laura Hatch, who runs the Parent Hub at the Noah’s Ark, said “This is an ideal opportunity for people to learn how to cook healthy meals on a budget and receive practical and educational advice at the same time.”

Mrs Roberts, who attends the course, said “The course is brilliant. It’s very hands-on, we are given inspiring recipes which we follow as a team to create yummy, healthy meals. I’ve got some great recipes to take home and can’t wait to start cooking them for my family. I would recommend the course to everyone!”

Book your place now by calling Christine Flanagan on 0330 303 3000 or email Christine.flanagan@slhgroup.co.uk