Tenants took centre stage as Ashfield Council hosted the 2026 Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH) tenants conference.

The national event, at the Oakham Suite in Mansfield, saw tenants come together to hear updates on key issues, network with people from other areas and take away ideas they can use locally.

Engaged tenants from Ashfield Council were among those speaking at the event.

Other speakers included the council’s chairman Coun Dale Grounds (Ash Ind), ARCH chair Coun Matthew Corner (Con) and representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Regulator of Social Housing and the Tenant Participation Advisory Service.

Tenants came together to hear updates on key issues, network with people from other areas and take away ideas they can use locally at the 2026 ARCH conference

placeholder image — Tenants came together to hear updates on key issues, network with people from other areas and take away ideas they can use locally at the 2026 ARCH conference

John Bennett, the council's executive director for place, said: "Our engaged tenants are an important part of the work the council does as a landlord.

"They give up their time for free to help make a real difference to how we shape our services across various areas of the council, not just for tenants.

“They did an incredible job of presenting at the conference and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work and dedication.”

Stella Parkin, of the ARCH conference, said: “Our little conference as it stands is the only conference that is organised by tenants for tenants.

"We have been a very active group for 21 years this year – that is such an achievement.

“One of the Ashfield tenants is also joining the ARCH.

"This is great news and we will all welcome him.”

Any Ashfield Council tenant who wants to help shape housing services can find out more by emailing [email protected] or calling 01623 457590.