JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
19 November 2007

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TAYLOR: GET TOUGH ON SECOND HOME OWNERS
19 November 2007

The government is being urged to put controls on incomers so the Cornish can escape from 'squalor' into affordable housing. Matthew Taylor The Cornish experience is informing Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro, who has been commissioned by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to investigate the rural housing crisis. Incomes are 25 per cent below average, making it the only corner of Britain to receive European Union aid, yet house prices are 17 per cent higher than average. Speaking to The Observer, he said: “The only image of Cornwall is of sun, sea and sand, but in some areas house prices are 17 times annual incomes. And this crisis reaches across most of rural Britain.” Homes for local people will, Taylor predicts, reduce Nimbyism, particularly when decisions are made in villages, not Whitehall. He said: “No one will make a fast buck and houses could be for your son or daughter.” Taylor is studying how councils could insist on granting permission only for affordable housing. He is attracted by shared equity schemes, whereby houses can only be sold to local people, the owners taking enough capital gain to enter the private housing market. He said: “What has been driving up house prices is land cost. With cheap land you could provide good quality two-bedroom cottages for £90,000.” Second homes in deprived but increasingly fashionable holiday destinations is also a key driver of price. He said: “They are having a huge effect on rural businesses, with people not there much. An estate agent in my constituency tells me half the houses he sells are second homes. The government has to look at the option of planning controls.” Under a scheme Taylor is investigating, councils could force potential second-homers to apply for a change of use. What is no longer in dispute is the scale of the problem. Shelter reports a 'shocking' rise in people in counties such as Cornwall seeking social housing, with more children living in 'squalor'. Taylor does not report until next year, and many of his recommendations will be welcomed by Brown. However, he added: “You can't build your way out of the problem. If you did meet demand, people would move somewhere else to escape over-development.” The solution, Taylor believes, is limited building for local people so areas remain socially 'mixed' rather than having “gated communities with the accountant driving up to town in his Range Rover”.

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MORE INVOLVEMENT AT WEST WILTS HOUSING
19 November 2007

Residents will have new opportunities to be involved in shaping West Wiltshire Housing Society’s services and decision-making, thanks to Ed Bramall, who has been appointed as the society’s first involvement worker. Ed Bramall He will be working directly with individual customers, as well as in neighbourhoods and with Tenant and Resident Associations. The aim will be to get tenants’ views and feedback in order to develop services and neighbourhoods. He will also look for ways of giving greater choice and delivering a new statement that sets out ways for tenants to get involved with West Wiltshire Housing Society. Ed said: “I’m looking forward to working at West Wiltshire Housing Society because I really believe in people having a say in the services they receive. “I plan to work directly with our tenants so we can tailor involvement opportunities based on their wishes; that way people who have not traditionally been involved will have the chance to engage with us in a way that suits them.” Ed came to West Wiltshire Housing Society after working for Bristol MP Dawn Primarolo. In this role, he worked directly with local communities to consult the people to find out what issues were important for them by utilising surveys, forums, personalised letters and home visits. West Wiltshire Housing Society’s operations director, Paul Moore, added: “We look forward working with Ed, his past experience and personality will build on our excellent track record of involving our tenants and customers.” Ed has a degree in Politics and Sociology from the University of Bristol and is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Housing and Community Renewal at the University of the West of England.

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WALES: HOUSING PLANS DELAYED BY WHITEHALL
19 November 2007

The Welsh Assembly Government’s plans to gain powers over affordable housing have been delayed because Whitehall officials believe the powers sought are too wide-ranging, it has emerged. Under the new system that came into place following May’s election, the Assembly Government can seek permission from Westminster to legislate in defined areas of policy. Both Houses of Parliament have to pass a so-called Legislative Competence Order (LCO), granting the Assembly powers to make its own laws in the specified area. In June, First Minister Rhodri Morgan told AMs he was minded to widen the LCO on affordable housing after ideas were submitted by the Liberal Democrats. He said discussions would be held with the Lib-Dems, but it was left unclear whether a draft LCO would be published before the summer recess or in the autumn. On September 18, by which time the One Wales coalition with Plaid Cymru had been formed, Leader of the House Carwyn Jones told AMs an announcement about the affordable housing LCO was being postponed. An Assembly Government spokeswoman said: “There has been a short delay in bringing forward the affordable housing LCO because of the Housing and Regeneration Bill announced in the Queen’s speech. “It is important that we ensure consistency in developing the LCO with the proposed UK Bill which will make provision for England and Wales. We are confident that the LCO will proceed apace.” Nick Bennett, chief executive of Community Housing Cymru, added: “We support the devolution of as many housing-related powers to Wales as possible. Over the last 10 years we have seen 34,000 affordable homes lost as a result of the right to buy. They have been replaced by just 17,000 homes.”

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TAMAR HOSTS TREBURLEY HOUSING CONSULTATION
19 November 2007

Plymouth-based Tamar Housing Society has invited residents of the Lezant Parish to a drop-in consultation session regarding a new development in Treburley, North Cornwall. The event, held at the local Springer Spaniel pub, gave local residents an opportunity to review the proposed new scheme of 10 affordable homes. Representatives from designers Grainge Architects and project managers Taylor Lewis, were on hand as well as staff from Tamar Housing Society, to answer questions and address any concerns. Attendees were asked to complete a feedback form so that their views could be taken into account. Feedback about the proposed plans was positive with 65 per cent of those who completed the forms being happy with the development in principle. Sarah Knight, Tamar Housing Society’s development officer, said: “The event provided a great opportunity for us to hear the views of local people about the scheme. “The most encouraging part was receiving really positive anecdotal feedback and meeting local people who were so keen to see the scheme built. It confirmed to us that there is a strong demand in the area for affordable homes.” Tamar Housing Society intends to submit a planning application for the scheme over the next month to progress the project.

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DEVELOPER CONFIDENT DESPITE HERITAGE WARNING
19 November 2007

The company planning to revamp Bath's Western Riverside has said it is confident its controversial scheme will get the go-ahead after a heritage group submitted an objection to the current plan. Crest Nicholson has been working on plans to build hundreds of homes and offices on the 43-acre site for the past three years. It could see more than 2,000 homes, shops and offices built on land between Green Park and Windsor Bridge. Bath and North East Somerset Council's Development Control Committee will be holding a special meeting on Tuesday, November 27 to debate the latest plans. In January this year, members of the development control committee approved an outline planning application for the site. It is being considered by the Government Office for the South West. Debbie Aplin, Crest Nicholson 's head of regeneration, said: "I would like to feel confident but there are no certainties in this world. If we don't get permission we will have to have a detailed rethink, but at the moment we are totally committed to making a success of it. "We have been working on our own on this since July 2005, doing public exhibitions and trying to solve the issues.” However, heritage group ICOMOS-UK has submitted an objection to the current plan. The body, which advises UNESCO on World Heritage sites, said that if approved in its current form the development could harm Bath's World Heritage status, which the city was granted 20 years ago. ICOMOS secretary, Susan Denyer said: "We consider that the current proposals would impact adversely on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) for which the city of Bath was inscribed on the World Heritage list and would have a negative impact on its visual integrity." Mrs Aplin said she was surprised by ICOMOS's response. She added: "ICOMOS made similar comments in January and I managed to meet them in May this year and went through the design and proposal. I did get a clear indication they felt it would not affect the World Heritage status. "We do not feel it will be detrimental to the city and it will tidy up a huge derelict area. We have a nationally-renowned architect and a lot of modern criteria, which need to be abided by and put into the scheme. If we did get back to something more traditional people would turn around and say we want to be forward-thinking."

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JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
20 November 2007

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BOURNEMOUTH: MAYOR OPENS NEW SURF OFFICE
20 November 2007

The Mayor of Bournemouth and Mayor’s Consort have performed an official opening of Bournemouth Churches Housing Association’s Service Users and Residents Forum’s new office.. Councillor Anne Filer and councillor Michael Filer were accompanied at the event by representatives from Bournemouth Borough Council’s Supporting People team, BCHA, service users and Dorset Police. SURF is a forum run by service users for service users and supported by BCHA. Their aim is to provide a voice for tenants, residents and service users in the running of BCHA/Hyped services and to promote service user involvement at all levels. SURF has now secured their own office space in Boscombe to help them achieve their aims. The SURF committee meets every Tuesday afternoon to discuss issues concerning BCHA and Hyped, its services and service user involvement. SURF members also sit on the Board and various committees within BCHA and Hyped. Service User Involvement (SUI) is now squarely at the centre of working practices in all BCHA/Hyped services, with service user representation at every level of the organisation - on the BCHA Board and sub committees and being promoted in every scheme and service area. Each service area has a SUI staff representative to promote involvement within their service area. The range of involvement available to service users is broad and opportunities to involve at both local and central levels are actively promoted.

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PENWITH HOUSING PARTNERS SHOWCASE AT OPEN DAY
20 November 2007

So successful was Penwith Housing Association’s housing open day at St John’s Hall, Penzance, that it may stage it at other Cornish venues. This first event of its kind showcasing customer service and resident involvement included exhibitions and information on a spectrum ranging from rent payment to Treneere Together and many other tenant groups. PHA’s partner contractors, Ocean Group, Mears, ROK and Connaught all set up exhibition stands to explain their roles in the ongoing multi-million pound Decent Homes works. Andy Moore, PHA chief executive, said: “We are now considering extending the Open Days to other areas, such as Truro and Liskeard. “We also explained the work of the new Peninsula Tenants Committee and its sub-groups to visitors with the aim of showcasing the variety of services and partnerships we have for the benefit of our residents and how they play a central role in their delivery.” Gill Barnes, chair of the customer services group, added: “All the displays were fantastic and it was good to see the tenants meet and react positively with the staff. “That was the purpose – to bring the customer services group into the limelight and show they are here to help. Everyone I spoke to said how friendly it was. Perhaps it will become an annual event with more topics and venues. “They did a very good job and showed a commitment to it, as did our staff and contractors. Overall it was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our partnership in working in the community and explain we are always trying to improve our communications.”

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BATH SELF HELP USES PEDAL POWER
20 November 2007

Bath Self Help Housing Association has used pedal power to launch the first fundraising campaign in its 23-year history. The Bath Chronicle / Kevin Bates Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, councillor Ian Dewey was on hand at the charity’s Foyer project in Twerton to see the first donation Bath Self Help has received – two bikes to help the young people who live at its Foyer and Pathways projects. Bath Self Help has provided housing, support and training for thousands of young people, adults, and families. Now the charity is asking the Bath community to help it raise £30,000 for a minibus, bikes and household items to help turn empty flats into homes. Picture: (left to right) Zoe Price, project leader of the Foyer, cllr Ian Dewey, chairman of B&NES Council, and resident Dario Holbrook with the two bikes that will help young people get to job interviews around the city. An anonymous donor gave the first £500 to pay for the first two bikes, which young people who have no means of transport, can use to get to job opportunities around the city. Zoe Price project, leader of the Foyer, said: “Every day in Britain people of all ages become homeless through no fault of their own and from all walks of life. It could be a next-door neighbour, a work colleague or their teenage sons and daughters – it could be you.” Bath Self Help Housing Association provides three main areas of housing and support: Temporary accommodation for families and people who are homeless; projects for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25; and help for young people to get back to work, training or education, or into work for the first time. The support makes a real difference to their lives and includes help with emotional problems, money management, welfare benefit advice, completing benefit claim forms, housing advice, anger management, basic cooking skills and basic DIY. Janet Errington, Bath Self Help’s supported team manager, added: “This is the first time in our history that we are asking the public and businesses to support us in such a significant way. We are restricted from using our funding for some of the extra support that we give, but this support makes so much difference to the people we help. It takes them a lot of courage and resolve, and we want do as much as we can to make that process easier.”

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BOURNEMOUTH: HOUSING BLUEPRINT REVEALED
20 November 2007

The average house in Bournemouth costs more than £200,000 - 12 times the average annual income, it has been revealed. The figures on the lack of affordable housing came in Bournemouth Borough Council's blueprint for housing in the town. Councillors and environmental experts on the council's sustainable environment overview panel were the first to receive Bournemouth council's draft housing strategy. And panellists learned that Dorset's sky-high housing prices were at odds with the county's low salaries. The report also said that flats now account for nearly half of Bournemouth's housing stock. More than 80 per cent of new developments built in the Bournemouth over the last 10 years were flats. Speaking after the meeting, councillor Lisa Northover said she had personal experience of the shortage of family homes in the town. She said: "I know people who have the money to buy a three or four-bedroom home, but they are not there to buy.” The report noted that council house building is now again a government priority and councillors welcomed the opportunity to build new council homes in Bournemouth. Councillor Ian Lancashire said: "There is a will and a desire within the council to build council houses." Panellists heard that more than 2,000 homes stood empty in Bournemouth in April this year. More than 600 had been empty for more than six months. Speaking after the meeting, overview panel chairman Councillor Mark Anderson said homes standing empty for a long period were of greatest concern. The master plan for house building in the town will run until 2011. A final draft of the report is expected to go to the cabinet next February.

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WATES HELPS JOBSEEKERS BUILD A FUTURE
20 November 2007

An innovative scheme that helps local unemployed people learn construction skills drew to a close last week with an event at Cythartha Park, Merthyr Tydfil. Building Futures The jobseekers have been taking part in a two-week Building Futures scheme run by Wates Living Space in partnership with Working Links, local specialists in helping long-term unemployed and disadvantaged people back to work. Three jobseekers from Cardiff showcased their newly acquired skills by undertaking ground works at the park to help create a special area for disabled people to look after and maintain. The innovative and unique scheme teaches jobseekers a range of construction skills and helps them work towards recognised industry qualifications. The course also guarantees each participant a job interview with Wates Living Space or a local subcontractor at the end of the programme. Rachel Woolliscroft, Wates group sustainability manager, said: “This programme clearly supports our values of respect for people and communities by going above and beyond building to tackle wider issues within the community. “The Building Futures programme supports those who face barriers to employment and helps them to acquire skills and experience within the construction industry to enable them to find sustainable employment.” Lynne Lundregan, Working Links partnership manager, added: The need for practical skills is the key to moving people closer to the job market. We are delighted to be working alongside Wates on this venture. It’s fantastic to see Wates give real jobs to real people.”

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JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
21 November 2007

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TAFF HOUSING WINS HOUSING OSCAR
21 November 2007

Cardiff-based Taff Housing has won a ‘Housing Oscar’ for its Pathways series, which promotes diversity in employment. Taff Housing was judged as winners in the Developing Skills & Capacity category, at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s UK Housing Awards, which took place earlier this month at London’s Hilton Hotel. The Pathways Series has run in various forms for five years, ranging from taster courses in housing, to sponsored traineeships, and most recently, a management development programme for people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the housing sector. Earlier this year, Taff won the CIH Cymru, award for its ‘Total Approach’ to mainstreaming diversity in services and employment. Angela Jones of Taff Housing, said: “The first Pathways course gave me a great foundation to apply for jobs in Housing, and I’ve now been at Taff for 4 years as a Tenant Support Officer, which I really love.”

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SOUTH SOMERSET COUNCIL IN CARBON CRUNCHING DEVELOPMENT
21 November 2007

South Somerset District Council is piloting a new idea to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions that would change the way all new housing developments are built in the future. South Somerset's planning team is working with developers to try out a policy that requires all large-scale developers to include onsite renewable energy sources within every large development. Keith Wheaton-Green, South Somerset's climate change officer,said: "We are looking at how we could implement a policy that would expect all large scale housing developments to involve renewable energy – enough renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions for that site by at least 10% in each case. "This would make a phenomenal difference over the years – if every housing development reduced just 10% of its carbon emissions we would be really taking action to reduce climate change. We have worked with two local developers who volunteered to try out the scheme and it has gone very well." A report explaining the policy will soon go before councillors and could be implemented in early 2008 if it was approved. Cllr Jo Roundell Greene, portfolio holder for environment and property, added: "We have always pioneered in making a difference to the environment and were the first council in Somerset to sign the Nottingham Declaration – pledging to tackle climate change head-on. "There are many ongoing plans for new ways to save energy and there will soon be even more positive change in the area."

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HOMELESS LINK SESSIONS ON PLACES OF CHANGE
21 November 2007

Homeless Link is to hold a series of briefing sessions on the Government’s latest investment programme for hostel improvements. The second round of Communities and Local Government's Places of Change agenda is providing a £70 million capital investment to help make hostels and day centres into places of change for their service users. The programme will build on the success of the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme, extending funding to more hostels and day centres across the country. This investment will enable them to transform their environments and services in a way that will help their service users to gain the skills and confidence to move on with their lives. CLG is inviting bids from local authorities and voluntary agencies though the criteria has yet to be released. Homeless Link's regional managers will be holding briefing sessions in their regions to give guidance around funding applications: November 30, Saint Petroc's Society , 8 City Road , Truro TR1 2JJ from 10am to 11.45am. Places limited to 15. December 3, St Olaves Hotel, Mary Arches Street, Exeter, EX 3AZ. Registration 9.45am for 10.15am to 12pm. Places limited to 40. For more information contact Amber Place

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PERSIMMON TO DEVELOP PORTISHEAD MARINE SCHEME
21 November 2007

Persimmon Homes has continued its investment in the regeneration of Port Marine in Portishead, Somerset, with the launch of a brand new mixed use scheme. Following the success of its four existing residential developments in Port Marine, Persimmon has announced the creation of a yet to be named dockside scheme. Situated in the centre of the public promenade of Port Marine's East Quay, the scheme will be a landmark waterfront development. Divided into two buildings the U-shaped building will include 140, one, two and three bedroom apartments, 180 parking spaces as well as a 187 sq m commercial unit and a central landscaped promenade. David Wild, sales director for Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said: "This scheme will create a real focal point on the East Quay with its unique design drawing upon the marine location and including nautical features such as the horizontal white bandings of ocean liners, the maritime flavour of timber and the frivolity of art deco seaside hotels. “Alongside this, the scheme will vary in height from three to seven storeys offering residents fantastic elevated views across the water plus the benefit of having the marina and its growing number of amenities quite literally on their doorstep." The new development will form part of the 200acre regeneration of Port Marine, which combines superior residential accommodation with commercial enterprise in a waterside location. Persimmon's homes at Port Marine are encompassed within one of the biggest eco-housing schemes in Europe offering families the unique combination of traditional village life with all the convenience of modern housing and design. It is expected that the first apartments will be completed in summer 2009.

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JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
22 November 2007

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SIGNPOST SHOWCASES TRAINING DVD
22 November 2007

Signpost Housing Association residents and staff met this week to take good customer service one step further following the triumphant launch of a training DVD. Signpost's Charlotte Notely, Bob Winton and Aggie Natale Part of the Spectrum Housing Group, Signpost has been developing its customer service by consulting staff and residents on what they want and how they want it delivered. An open and honest, participative day took place where residents and staff were given the opportunity to give feedback on the customer service that they currently give and receive. Examples of feedback given included, that employees and residents wanted to be more empowered and staff felt that a back to the floor exercise would be beneficial. Areas of discussion involved updating the current Customer Care Charter and feedback received from staff during training. An Oscar-inspired ceremony took place for stars of the DVD that were voted for during the training. Jonathan Simmons, customer service manager at Signpost Housing Association, said: “The day was a great success. It was good opportunity to provide such rich and honest feedback to residents about the services we provide. “We surveyed 368 employees on what they felt they could do to improve their level of service and shared this with residents and board members to help us discuss priorities for next year. “I am confident that the outcomes we generated will lead to significant and valuable improvements, and go some way to helping us on our mission to go from providing a good service to an excellent service in 2008!”

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RESIDENT WINS PEACE OF MIND
22 November 2007

A resident of Bradford on Avon has won West Wiltshire Housing Society’s Win Peace of Mind prize draw, getting the society’s Lifeline emergency call service free for a year. Mr King with senior supported housing officer June O'Neil The prize draw was launched at the West Wilts show in July as part of the Lifeline service’s 21st birthday celebrations. Mr King’s son, Mike was concerned because his mother went into hospital and wasn’t happy about his dad living on his own, so they installed a Lifeline. With Lifeline, Mr King can get help with the press of a button on his pendant whenever he needs it — 24-hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. The Lifeline immediately connects Mr King to a real person who talks to him and sends him the help he needs, which could be one of the society’s wardens. Paul Moore, operations director of West Wiltshire Housing Society, said: “We are pleased that Mr King has already been able to benefit from Lifeline and that he and his family can have the reassurance and peace of mind that help is just the press of a button away.” Mike King added: “Lifeline gives us peace of mind - it’s a big help.” By winning the draw, Mr King will not have to pay for the service from December 24, 2007 and December 28, 2008. Anyone who had a Lifeline demonstration between July 27 and October 31 was automatically entered into the draw.

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SOLAS-CYMRU LAUNCHES STAR TOOLKIT
22 November 2007

Solas Cymru has launched an outcomes monitoring toolkit, a new way of monitoring and tracking the outcomes of services by service users themselves. With the support of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s homelessness good practice grant programme, Solas worked with a project group of supported housing providers to develop a toolkit to guide organisations through the process of developing outcomes in a way that is appropriate for the local context in which they work and for their service users. The outcomes monitoring tool used by Solas, star, was originally developed by St Mungo’s for use with single homeless people. It is a way of monitoring or tracking the outcomes of services by service users themselves, or working with their keyworker as part of support planning, to identify the distance they have travelled in relation to a number of factors while they are in receipt of the service. It is based on the views of service users and staff and uses a numerical way of capturing these views. Although the most intensive development of the outcomes star has been in relation to services for single homeless people, a variety of organisations have adapted the approach for use with their service users. The outcomes star can be used in services that vary in expected length of stay for service users, as well as for service users with very different needs. Solas uses the star in its services, which vary from a day centre to homelessness hostels, tenancy support and supported housing. Organisations that use the outcomes star have found it to be motivating for both service users and staff, as well as helpful in terms of providing information to funders about the outcomes of their investment. Solas’ experience of using the outcomes monitoring star is that staff learnt more about service users, that service users felt more involved and that the star helped them to work out their detailed goals. The toolkit has been produced on CD-Rom and is now available for £5 from Solas.

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PLANS FOR SHERFORD GO ON SHOW
22 November 2007

Members of the public are being offered a taste of how the new community at Sherford could look in a series of drop in events to explain the planning proposals. South Hams District Council and Plymouth City Council have held a series of drop in sessions at locations close to the Sherford valley. These sessions will give an update on the planning application, submitted by Red Tree LLP in late 2006, and also give a real impression of how the new town could shape up. A new model of the planning proposals and computer-generated images of the site will help visitors visualise how the new community, providing 5,500 homes over the next 20 years, could look and feel. Sherford is in the South Hams but will meet the housing needs of both the South Hams and the city of Plymouth so planning officers from both authorities have been working closely on this project. Councillor John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council, said: “The adopted Area Action Plan for Sherford sets out a vision for the new community. It must be a high quality development that is locally distinctive in design. It must be a sustainable community and most importantly, it must address the acute need for affordable housing in this area. “This is the approved vision for Sherford – this is the vision Red Tree’s planning application will be judged against.” Councillor Ted Fry, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet member for planning and regeneration, added: “An adequate supply of good quality, affordable new homes is vital to the future well-being and prosperity of the people of Plymouth and the South Hams. “As a city we have to balance the need for more affordable housing with the need to take account of local residents’ views at every stage of the planning process. These drop in days are part of that process so we’d like to see as many people as possible making use of this opportunity to see how the plans for Sherford are now taking shape.”

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TAUNTON: OPEN DAY AT NEW DEMENTIA CARE HOME
22 November 2007

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne attended the open day for the new Chelston Gardens dementia care home near Wellington. Chelston Gardens is a new 50-bed dementia care home built by CS Williams in the grounds of Chelston Park Nursing Home. Picture: (l-r) Jeremy Browne MP with manager Jo Girder, director Patrick Allistone and Barry Jell from contractors CS Williams. Mr Browne said: "Residential accommodation for dementia sufferers is improving every year. An increased understanding of the condition is helping to make the buildings better designed. "The new Chelston Gardens has been finished to a very high specification and is extremely smart. It will provide an ideal protective environment for the residents and be a pleasant work place for the staff. "More people are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's as the population grows older. I am pleased that suitable accommodation and care is being provided in Taunton Deane to respond to this growing need."

JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
23 November 2007

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NEW APPOINTMENT AT ARCADIA
23 November 2007

Arcadia Housing has appointed its first group planning & performance manager. Mike McCabe Prior to this new role, Mike McCabe was Knightstone Housing Association’s area services manager for Dorset and Hampshire, managing the housing services provided to residents by a team of staff in Arcadia’s Poole office. The new role follows a major re-organisation within the group to create a more efficient and responsive service for residents. The purpose of the role is to pull together all departmental and service improvement plans and ensure they are co-ordinated and deliverable. A key part of the role will be implementing new systems for tracking, and reporting performance management information. Mike McCabe said: “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to lead such an innovative and important area of work.” ”This is a great opportunity for us to bring an increased focus to our wide range of plans, ensuring they are integrated and realistic in addressing the needs and aspirations of our residents, so we can give them the best service possible.”

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ANCHOR TRUST CONTINUES LHC PARTNERSHIP
23 November 2007

Based on the success of a £1 million improvement programme, Anchor Trust has continued to use LHC Network’s framework arrangements to help bring their schemes in the Midlands region up to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. Through separate LHC Network framework arrangements for kitchens, external envelope repairs and windows, all four appointed companies, Moores, Bauder, Sovereign Windows and Graham Holmes Astraseal Ltd respectively have been asked to continue managing home improvement projects from design through to completion. By procuring through LHC Network, Anchor Trust is able to comply with EU procurement policy and benefit from technically assessed products which all meet the stringent requirements of UK Building Regulations. Andy Clare, senior project surveyor (Midlands), said: “As a public sector organisation we are very conscious of our obligation not just to meet the Decent Homes Standard, but to ensure residents receive the best possible services to ensure they can maintain and enjoy an independent lifestyle in high quality accommodation. “The 2007 programme of intended work began quickly and efficiently, saving us valuable time, resource and money. “Ultimately, it also finished on time, within budget and surpassed the high work and quality standards we demand. “We therefore had no hesitation in continuing to use LHC Network as we work towards the 2010 Government deadline.” LHC Network is free to join and open to any public sector organisation, offering instant access to pre-tendered, OJEU compliant framework arrangements or negotiated agreements covering all the most frequently required building product sectors including windows and doors; kitchens and bathrooms; external envelope repairs; security and insulation. Managed by the not-for-profit LHC, LHC Network already has over 260 users including housing associations, ALMOs and local authority housing and education services.

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MID-WALES HOUSING INVESTS IN EXPERIENCE
23 November 2007

Mid-Wales Housing is breaking new ground with the employment of older workers in key roles. The association, which owns and manages more than 1200 homes across Powys and Ceredigion, employs David James, 72, as the association’s asset management administrator. David James A native of the Rhondda valleys David’s career has taken him across the globe, including national service with the RAF, four years as a quality control manager with Ray-O-Vac International in Tehran, Iran, during the mid 1960s and a further six years in Naples, Italy from 1970 where he was works manager with FAR Spa. His career then brought him to Newtown where he held a number of posts. Having packed so much into his busy life, including a heart attack and a triple heart by-pass operation along the way, many people would be content to sit back and enjoy their retirement years in peace and relaxation. Instead he started looking elsewhere for meaningful employment and was taken on by Mid-Wales Housing almost straight away and has been with the association ever since September 2002. He said: “I was not ready to sit back and do nothing for the rest of my life. “Since 1982 I have been involved in the main with the population of Mid-Wales in particular in providing a telephone service both on a reactive and proactive basis. “At Mid-Wales Housing Association my involvement is with tenants and contractors and dealing with general duties in the asset management section. “I am pleased to see that with new legislation today ageism is not a problem as long as the individual is capable of doing the job. “I enjoy my work at Mid-Wales Housing and hope that I can stay well into the future - as long as I am able to carry out my duties.” Mid-Wales Housing’s chief executive, Shane Perkins added: “David has brought a great deal of experience and wisdom to the Association and we are very pleased that he didn’t choose to retire as early as 65 years. “The association has a policy of equal opportunities for all and David is a shining example of the success of this approach.”

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SHAL HOUSING SECURES BANK OF SCOTLAND LOAN
23 November 2007

Bridgwater-based SHAL Housing has arranged to borrow an additional £4 million from Bank of Scotland Corporate to provide finance for its development programme over the next three years. The total loan facility with Bank of Scotland Corporate is now £14m. SHAL’s finance director, Anthony Stephens, said that the new facility provides SHAL with better terms for its existing lending facility. Alistair Moffat, associate director of Bank of Scotland’s Housing Finance Team, added: “We are delighted to continue to help strengthen the excellent relationship we have with SHAL and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROTOCOL FOR TAUNTON
23 November 2007

Representatives of the construction, property and development industries backed a blueprint for sustainable development unveiled by Taunton Deane Borough Council. The Taunton Protocol draft aims to guide and support developers as hundreds of new homes, offices and leisure facilities go up in the town in the coming years. Issues tackled by the document include how to protect the environment, encourage diversity and the effect sustainable development will have on land values. Ian Franklin, project director at Project Taunton, said: "If the aims of the protocol are to be achieved, it's essential that we secure buy-in from all areas of the industry. "By carrying out a period of consultation and gaining feedback from all relevant companies and individuals we'll be able to create a truly workable document, which organisations will be keen to sign up to. "We plan to launch the final protocol in first half of 2008 and hope it will become an exemplary model for the whole country."

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