Section: Registered Social Landlords

RSL Update

The Housing Corporation announced, following a series of improvements, that it has removed Chester & District Housing Trust from supervision. The Corporation placed Chester & District, which owns and manages around 6,200 homes in Chester and surrounding areas, under supervision in February 2004 because of concerns about its governance and overall financial position. The Corporation used its statutory power to make three appointments to the Board of the Company, all of who have now stepped down.
Glasgow Housing Association appointed Morris & Spottiswood as its partnering contractor to refurbish homes throughout the city. The arrangement will lead to 200 new jobs and the taking on of 24 new apprentices by Morris & Spottiswood.
Guinness Trust Group formed a strategic partnership with Jewson, which will enable the Association to source plumbing and building components from the Company and Saint Gobain Building Distribution (which is part of the same group as Jewson).
Signpost Housing Association was awarded £68,000 of European Social Fund money. The Association's bid for funding was submitted through the Learning Skills Council. It was based on previous work that Signpost had carried out in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College, promoting community-based learning and taking IT training into rural communities.

To date, over 100 tenants of the Association have completed training courses through the College and received accredited training certificates. The Association's involvement with training reflects the need of many tenants, who find it difficult to attend college, for such resources. The new funding will support further accredited training courses throughout Dorset and to help towards administration and promotion.
Threshold Housing Group, having returned a loss for 2004/05 of £700,000, was awarded an amber light for its viability by the Housing Corporation - reflecting concerns over its financial position. A major factor in the Group's financial position has been slow sales through subsidiary Threshold Key Homes of high valued shared ownership properties. The Group has now cut back on its growth plans in a bid to address matters.
Wales and West Housing Association was applauded by Prince Charles for its commitment to excellence in rural housing design and affordability. The Prince of Wales's Affordable Rural Housing Initiative, run by Business in the Community, produced a design guide in collaboration with The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment. The guide includes information on the appearance, construction and layout of affordable housing designed for villages and small towns. It also addresses the good planning, integration and aesthetic appearance of rural affordable housing. Two of the Association's schemes in Powys have been included as case studies, with Cwrt Conway in Brecon on the front cover of the publication.
Wirral Partnership Homes celebrated its first year anniversary. The housing association was created to take ownership of Wirral Council's 13,100 homes. The transfer means £150 million will be invested into improving the condition of homes and estates over a seven-year period. In the first year, hundreds of tenants benefited from new UPVC windows and doors, new bathrooms, and upgraded kitchens.

Section: Registered Social Landlords

RSL Update

Housing Monthly Diary

Reporting on February 2006

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