Customer Services Committee
Membership: 4 tenants or leaseholders (2x paid, 2x voluntary) plus Board members.
Meetings: Every quarter (4 per year) for 2 hours. Please note that this is now closed for applications.
What does the committee do?
The Customer Services Committee is all about making sure we listen and respond to the tenant voice.
The committee offers challenge and seeks assurance that Berneslai Homes is:
- Listening to tenants
- Delivering excellent services
- Making sure plans are in place to resolve any issues we know about
How do they hear the tenant voice?
The Committee has two tenant Board members and four additional tenant members who give a tenant perspective on items being discussed and have an equal say in the decisions made by Committee.
All reports that are presented to the Customer Services Committee have a section that must include any tenant feedback and consultation, and the difference or impact on tenants.
Can anyone attend committee meetings?
Not usually as they are private meetings, but occasionally we may open them up for observation for anyone interested in being involved.
You’re welcome to view recent meeting agendas and summary of the discussions and decisions made below.
Meet our committee
Richard Fryer, Customer Services Committee Chair
Richard was appointed to the Board in September 2020 and is Chair of the Customer Services Committee. He was formerly an Executive Director at Karbon Homes – a regional housing association based in the North East – and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Housing.
Before joining the housing world, Richard worked in local government in different parts of the country, including 14 happy years living and working in Barnsley.
Richard believes strongly in the role of effective governance in making sure that housing providers deliver for their residents and communities.
Cllr Dave Leech, Council Board member
Councillor Dave Leech was appointed to the Board in September 2025 and sits on the Customer Services Committee.
He has a wide range of experience including in the Armed Forces and as an HGV driver, and has devoted his time to representing his local community serving as a councillor since 2011.
Dave is the Mayor of Barnsley for 2025-26 and believes in the power of community and kindness, underpinned by respect for others. This is reflected in his chosen mayoral theme: ‘Understanding, Caring and Compassion.’
Dave said: "My theme is a shared responsibility within our communities. Together, we can make sure everyone feels safe, heard and connected."
Rebecca Mather, Tenant Board member
Rebecca was appointed to the Board in May 2024 as tenant member.
She is semi-retired and a registered midwife and health visitor. Rebecca has previously worked for the NHS and Barnsley Council in multiple settings, including hospitals, clinics, and within communities.
Rebecca is passionate about people and likes to engage with them to deliver positive experiences.
Rebecca has three grown up children, five grandchildren, and two fur babies who she enjoy spending lots of time with. Her great hobby is gardening in all varieties.
Lisa-Marie Sear, Tenant member
Lisa has worked a range of people-focused roles across healthcare, retail and customer service. She has previous experience working within NHS Mental Health Services and has also worked in nursing homes as a carer and a cleaner. Alongside this, she has built strong communication and customer service skills through a variety of public-facing roles. She currently works part-time as a Passenger Assistant for Barnsley Council's Schools Transportation Services, supporting SEN children to travel safely to and from school.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys staying active and social. She has recently started playing netball again and also enjoys swimming, ice skating and going to the cinema.
Lisa is excited to take on her role as a Tenant Committee Member with Berneslai Homes and looks forward to representing tenants and making a positive difference in the community.
John Townend, Tenant member
John became a council tenant in Barnsley over 50 years ago, and it gave his family opportunities and stability they were deeply grateful for. That experience stayed with John. After spending most of his working life as a heavy goods vehicle driver, John now wants to give something back by volunteering.
He supports tenant engagement and making sure tenants’ voices are heard. He’s proud to serve on the Berneslai Homes Customer Service Committee and the Housing Ombudsman Residents Panel, representing the tenants of Barnsley whenever he can.
Joan Whitaker, Tenant member
Joan is a lifelong Wombwell resident and a council tenant. She is a widow with three grown-up children and two grandchildren.
She worked as a Registered Nurse and spent most of her career in Barnsley Hospitals. Community work has always been important to her. She first got involved through St John Ambulance as a cadet and went on to become the Area Superintendent for Barnsley. She stepped down from that role around 1980 when she returned to full‑time work as her children grew up. Joan is also a Serving Sister of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
After retiring from full‑time work in around 2004, Joan continued to volunteer right up until the COVID pandemic. She supported Friends of Wombwell Park, Wombwell Crime and Safety Group, Wombwell Main TARA and the Wombwell Ward Alliance. She also spent ten years as Chair of the Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents and has had a long association with Berneslai Homes.
Joan is currently involved with BIADS. Her main hobby is genealogy. She enjoys working with people and wants to contribute to improving the lives of others.