A HOUSING organisation has teamed up with a specialist training and consultancy provider to improve the quality of life for communities across Redcar and Cleveland.

The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) is helping Coast and Country Housing to improve communication with tenants and residents and involve them more in discussions about issues that affect them.

Gillian McLaren, the new North-East regional manager at TPAS, was the key speaker at an event held at the Park Court Community Centre, in Dormanstown.

The meeting attracted Coast and Country staff, TPAS advisors and residents from across Redcar and Cleveland.

TPAS will, if necessary, act as a mediator in discussions between Coast and Country and residents, and will put forward new ideas to increase participation in community activities.

Coast and Country has already put in place measures to improve communication with tenants.

Last year, the company created the Tenant Compact, which defines clearly how tenants and leaseholders can get involved in decisions and receive information about their homes and estates.

It also outlines initiatives such as identifying training opportunities for tenants and increasing tenant participation in community activities.

The Tenant Consultative Panel (TCP), a partnership between tenants and representatives from Coast and Country, is evaluating the success of the compact by carrying out regular reviews.