Residents turned away from ‘public’ meeting

RESIDENTS had every reason to feel aggrieved when they were turned away from a First Choice Homes meeting . . . they had been invited to attend.

A number of Higginshaw Village Residents’ Association members had attempted to go to the board meeting at Medtia Square but were turned away at the doors.

Lynn Keylock, of the association, said: “The reason we were going to the meeting was because the use of our building had been sent to the main board for discussion and we wanted to know what they were going to decide — if anything.

“There were no signs saying we couldn’t go in — we were told this was a last-minute decision made by the chairman and that this had been something he had been discussing for some time.

“He also told us that these meetings would be closed to the public until July, then he said September but he didn’t seem to know himself.

“But nothing has been made available to tenants to advise them of this change of policy and it says on the website that the public are invited to such meetings.”

The First Choice Homes Oldham’s board said it was committed to being transparent with its residents and stakeholders at all times, but at the moment, board meetings were being held in private.

A spokeswoman said: “Since becoming a registered provider of social housing, there are a number of sensitive commercial issues being discussed, such as the awarding of contracts.

“The board is due to review its position on this matter in September.

“First Choice Homes officers acted in good faith in not allowing tenants to attend the board meeting in line with current policy.

“However, it is now clear that the board were unaware that tenants were seeking to access the meeting to discuss the future of the community facility on the Higginshaw Estate.

“Had this been realised, then the group would have been allowed to attend by invitation.

“We would like to reassure all the members of the group their representations were received prior to the meeting and the future of the community facility was deferred in line with their wishes, with the board agreeing that no decision would be made without full consultation with residents.”