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What is the District Forum?

Who are we?
The District Forum is a group of no more than 18 Westlea residents, who act on your behalf in order to make sure that there is communication between residents and Westlea.

We challenge the Westlea Board and senior staff to make our housing and neighbourhoods better for everyone.

New members are elected, by Westlea residents, at an Annual General Meeting. District Forum Officers are elected by all the DF members at the AGM and stand for a year (with the exception of the Finance Officer who stands for a period of two years).

Members of the District Forum come from various neighbourhoods and a variety of age groups, backgrounds, and abilities. So everyone can offer their services and no one is excluded from becoming a member, as long as they are a Westlea resident.

The District Forum represents all Westlea’s residents. Our Members feel passionate about making a difference where they live and in Westlea Housing Association and have both spare time, enthusiasm and want to learn more.

Westlea makes it easy for everyone to become involved by giving the members training and support.

What do we do?
The District Forum focuses on policy and planning for the future, and makes sure we get input and feedback from residents on important decisions. The DF looks at Board papers and takes the group’s opinions back to the Board. They consider major decisions and give their comments. They can recommend that there be more consultation before important decisions are made.

Westlea looks to the District Forum for advice and suggestions for: resident training, ideas for conferences, advice on consultation methods, and ways for residents to become involved, as well as many other activities. So you can see from this that we are a busy bunch working together to improve our homes and neighbourhoods.

We have developed better communication and a stronger relationship with Westlea’s Board and Senior Management. It is good to know that the voice of residents is being heard.

The role of the forum is to:

• Represent the residents' views and work with Westlea in a positive way to make services better for everyone;
• Be consulted on all changes to policies and procedures, including the Resident’s Business Plan, Westlea objectives, and services;
• Decide how residents can be involved in all major projects, decisions, and monitor Westlea’s performance.
• We work with Westlea to further increase our skills by attending various training courses and workshops in order to make us a more effective group.

The District Forum has started the Residents Funding Project and has been raising funds through raffles and fundraising events etc.

Our Logo
We have our own logo. It uses Westlea’s corporate colours and shows the strength of our relationship with the association and the Board of Management.

The logo isn’t just for the District Forum, it gives residents the reassurance that we are, or have been, at the heart of the decision-making process, and that we approve the particular policy or strategy that bears our logo. It can be easily recognised and, most importantly, it was chosen by the residents we represent.

How much of my time will it take up?
We have at least 10 District Forum meetings a year and these are usually held in the evening. They are held at Westlea’s Head Office.  We also attend meetings in the communities.

This means that members need to do a lot of reading and preparation, especially on the months that the District Forum receives papers from Westlea’s board.

The District Forum also has two Team Days. These give us an opportunity to work and learn together outside a formal meeting environment.

What we expect from you
If you are elected to the District Forum you will be expected to:

1. Attend all the full meetings of the District Forum. Anyone who misses three consecutive meetings without good reason may be asked to give up their membership.
2. Attend Team Days: these give us the opportunity to meet and learn together as we build team spirit and communication.
3. Agree to abide by the District Forum’s Constitution and Code of Conduct: these rules govern how we conduct our business and the way members are expected to behave. You can find a copy online at www.westlea.co.uk or in hardcopy from the Secretary of the District Forum.

Westlea has a support package to make sure that being involved does not cost you anything.

We will pay for:

• If you use your own transport: travel costs (at 40p per mile);
• Your care costs, for example if you need someone to look after children or a disabled relative so that you can come to meetings (paid at the same level as Social Services);
• Training to be able to use the internet.

Is it for me?
No-one can answer this question but you.

Being a District Forum member can be hard, but it is rewarding knowing that what you do can make a difference.

It is a big commitment and does require more than just turning up for a meeting. Quite a lot of background reading is involved usually. Meetings are held in the evening. Training is usually held during the daytime.

If this is something you really feel you want to do, please don't let anything put you off. Other District Forum members and Westlea staff will support you in your role.

How do I become a District Forum member?
Before you make any decisions on joining, you need to attend a few District Forum meetings as an observer so that you can see what takes place and whether it would be something that you would be interested in getting involved with. You will be made very welcome. You will need to take the following steps in order to stand for election as a District Forum member:

• Decide you want to join
• Contact the Neighbourhood Involvement Team on 01249 466163 and ask for an application form.
• Get this form signed by two residents who are happy to propose and second your application.
• Write a short paragraph of no more than 100 words about yourself and why you'd like to join the District Forum.
• Send your application form and your short paragraph to Westlea and come to the District Forum AGM.

At the AGM the Chair will announce how many vacancies there are.