A NEW umbrella organisation to represent tenants and residents across the borough has been launched.

The new body is called the Tenants' and Residents' Association Consultative Committee (TRACC), set up following the demise of the former Tenants' and Residents' Federation.

Its aim will be to promote and establish dialogue and partnership with the council. The group incorporates tenants' and residents' associations and individuals.

TRACC will also elect representatives on to various decision-making groups. These include the Housing Advisory Group, Best Value reviews, the council's health, housing and social services scrutiny and review panel, plus the borough's six area boards.

Councillor John Smith, Bury Council's housing spokesman, said TRACC would be a worthy replacement.

"Through it, we will be able to identify and agree on guiding principles which will strengthen the way tenants and residents influence our policies and practices in regard to housing.

"This new group will serve as a catalyst for change and help to put in place new ways in which we can work more closely with our tenants and residents."