New Chair needed to run £30 million Asset Company
A new social enterprise which will run assets worth more than £30 million in an area of Chester is recruiting for an independent Chair to deliver improvements in services and opportunities.
The Parade scheme in Blacon, if approved will be run by the newly established Blacon Asset Management Company, which will oversee affordable homes being built alongside retail. The new Chair will be assisted by a Vice-Chair, who will be a community representative. This initiative has been developed by Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT), Cheshire West & Chester Council and the Blacon Alliance.
The key function of the new Asset Management Company is to ensure commercial success which will generate surplus revenue to deliver localised services through the management of services, the public realm, housing and retail stock in Blacon. It is intended that the Asset Management Company will have responsibility for the management of an asset base that ultimately could exceed £30 million, including the new Blacon Parade development.
John Denny, Chief Executive of CDHT, said:
“We are looking for a dynamic individual who can help to lead and drive this unique social enterprise, someone preferably with a commercial background who can develop the asset company for the benefit of Blacon. This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual, who will be there at the start, with the opportunity to forge a unique company and be an ambassador for a vital social enterprise. Residents and community groups will have representatives on the Board who will be charge of running The Parade and other assets in Blacon, being in control of budget. It is the responsibility of the Asset Company to make a profit which will then be reinvested into the area which will maintain the sustainability of the project.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Executive Member for Prosperity, Councillor Herbert Manley, added:
“I welcome this initiative, which will allow local people to really help shape their community and bring numerous benefits to Blacon. This is another example of the Council and its partners working together to reach out to the community and make a significant difference to the lives of West Cheshire residents.”
Gus Cairns, of the Blacon Alliance Board, said:
“I have lived in Blacon for 56 years and seen it grow from a small estate with just two schools and few facilities to a major urban area with five primary schools and a high school. My vision for the future is to see Blacon Asset Management Company as a catalyst to the regeneration of Blacon into a place where people want to live and work. We together can make Blacon into an even better place to live, work and visit.”
Closing date for applications is noon on Monday February 14. The position of Chair is a part-time position for 1-2 days per month.
Application forms can be downloaded from www.cdht.org and should be emailed to jobadvert@cdht.org
If you would rather post your application, please send to: Julie Windass, Assistant Director – Human Resources, CDHT, Centurion House, 77, Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HQ
For more information contact CDHT Human Resources on 01244 305407
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Notes to editors
Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) is a dynamic and enterprising organisation at the forefront of delivering positive impacts in the communities with which it works. The Trust’s homes span six communities – Blacon North; Blacon South; Chester City Area; The Rurals; Lache and Handbridge; Upton, Hoole, Newton and Plas Newton.
Committed to the best principles of social enterprise with over 14,000 local customers in 6,200 properties and 53% of its 275 colleagues living within its communities, the Trust adheres to key commitments and principles relating to people, places, partnerships and performance which underpin the Vision to ‘create opportunity’, through its mission, ‘by doing the right thing’.
The Trust is about being transparent and accountable in everything that is done and to this end is one of the first organisations nationally to have established a Residents’ Board, with full delegated powers from the Trust Board, to direct services which impact upon their lives.
The Trust has a comprehensive development programme delivering over 330 new homes including the £12million regeneration of the Treborth Road area of Chester providing new homes for rent, sale and shared ownership, as well as a village green and wildlife habitats.
CDHT also provides services on a partnership basis, to a number of other customers e.g. Telecare services, TrustWorks Maintenance Services, Housing Options advice, waiting list management and choice based lettings to neighbouring local authorities and registered social landlords.
The Trust is rated as two Star excellent by the Audit Commission, has the highest possible rating from Telecare Services Association and is also credited Investors in People and is the overall Employer of the Year For Cheshire West. It has been in the ‘Top 100 Sunday Times best companies to work for’ for the last 3 years.
For more details please visit www.cdht.org or request a copy of CDHT’s Corporate Plan 2009-2014.
CDHT Press Contacts: Phil Brotherhood
E: phil@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07884 493370
Jane Harrad-Roberts
E: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07785 395705
W: www.marketingprojects.co.uk T: 01244 330000
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