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West Dunbartonshire tenants’ organisation successful at national awards

WDTRO members Billy Neeson, Harry McCormack, Elaine Neeson, June Todd, host Fred MacAulay and Jacqueline Norwood from TPAS Scotland.

Published 18 July 2025

The leading tenants’ organisation in West Dunbartonshire has been named Tenant Group of the Year at a national awards ceremony.

The Council nominated West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation (WDTRO) for the recent Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) National Good Practice Awards.

As well as receiving the Tenant Group of the Year honour, they scooped an Outstanding Achievement Award on the night.

They were nominated by staff within the Council’s Housing Service who they have regular meetings with and collaborate on a range of housing matters.

The Tenant Group of the Year Award recognises a group who work to ensure tenants’ voices are heard when shaping housing services and/or influencing their landlord’s decisions.

They were nominated for work which they have undertaken to maximise funds in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The WDTRO made a case for the budget surplus generated by Building Services to be retained within the HRA and lobbied local councillors to support this position. In March 2025, the Council agreed that a surplus of £631,000 for 2024/25 should remain within the HRA, a decision that will benefit every tenant of West Dunbartonshire Council.

The awards dinner was held at the Golden Jubilee Hotel in Clydebank and was hosted by comedian Fred MacAulay. Four members of the WDTRO; Harry McCormack, June Todd, Elaine Neeson and Billy Neeson attended on the night.

Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “In my time as Housing and Communities Convener, I have been in touch with West Dunbartonshire TRO on many occasions and these awards truly reflect the dedication they display to all tenants of West Dunbartonshire Council.

“Members of the TRO, with assistance from the hard-working Housing staff, spend time educating themselves in housing policy which can often be complex to understand. Their in-depth comprehension of this allows them to get involved in the decision-making process and maximise the opportunities for all tenants.”

Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Hazel Sorrell, said: “It is testament to the hard work of WDTRO that they have been honoured in this way. They have consistently engaged with Council over a number of years in order to improve the experience for tenants across the local authority area.

“I would like to thank them for their time and commitment in helping our tenants with housing matters. I am absolutely delighted for them and the Housing staff who provide them with support.”