19/10/2009 : Large turnout for BHP's tenant elections

Tenants of Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) voted in large numbers at the Tenant Board Member Elections which took place over the last few weeks. The results were announced on 12 October.

A total of 2576 tenants voted which represented a turnout of 24.1% in the south of the borough covering North Kilburn, South Kilburn and Harlesden & Brentfield, and a turnout of 18.5% in the north of the borough covering North Wembley, South Wembley and St Raphael's. This was a very impressive turnout and demonstrates the keen interest in board appointments amongst council tenants and leaseholders.

Five tenants stood for election and there were three winning candidates, Joyce Baldy-Gray from St Raphael's Estate, Karin Jaeger from Harlesden & Brentfield and Dennis Woolcock from South Kilburn.

There are many ways that BHP promotes the involvement of tenants including membership of the editorial board, estate walkabouts, area housing boards and the community fund. These are some of the channels through which tenants can impact on BHP's services and thus empowering them to make a difference. There are now seven tenant board members that sit on the BHP Board, and it is very much a tenant-led organisation.

Karin Jaeger, elected Board member from Harlesden & Brentfield said:
"I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I am very proud to be a BHP Board member as I really value the work BHP does. I intend to diligently represent my fellow residents and be part of making a positive change."

Helen Evans, Chief Executive of BHP, said:
"I would like to congratulate the successful candidates for the Tenant Board Member Elections and look forward to working with them to continue to improve services to tenants and leaseholders of Brent Council. The role of tenant Board Members is central to BHP and the energy and commitment that they bring to the organisation critical to our continued effort to provide better services based on what tenants and leaseholders want."