Residents take control of £12.6 million repairs and maintenance budget
Residents have taken over all decision making for a £12.6 million repairs budget at a housing association in Chester.
Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) launched the Residents’ Board, believed to be the first of its kind, in January 2010 and since then residents have received many hours of training about their portfolio. Lawrence Philpot, Chair of the Residents’ Board, opened their first Board meeting recently, commending CDHT Chief Executive John Denny and the Trust Board for supporting the development of the Residents’ Board and giving residents real decision making authority.
At its first meeting, the Residents’ Board approved the Repairs & Maintenance Policy which they had developed after listening to residents’ concerns, job shadowing housing staff and reviewing the old policy. With a budget of £12.6 million the hard work now begins.
John Denny, CDHT Chief Executive, said:
“I am delighted we have been able to make this happen. There are big challenges ahead but I am confident that the repair, maintenance and improvement of Trust homes is in safe hands and the Residents’ Board will go from strength to strength. I am certain that this Board will redefine efficiency and value leading to residents taking control of other budgets, putting residents where they should be; right at the centre of decision making.”
The board comprises 10 residents, one leaseholder and a member of the main CDHT board. The main board will receive regular reports from the repairs and maintenance group.
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Caption:
(L-R) Residents’ Board members: (front row) Rosalie Anderson, Julie Melson, Barbara Owen, (second row from front) Tracey Ewbank, Lawrence Philpot, (third row from front) Beryl McIntyre, Gus Cairns, (fourth row from front) Ron Graves, Jackie Granell, (back row) CDHT Deputy Chief Executive Su Bramley and Chief Executive John Denny
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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