Housing team get together to look forward to future of new housing company
Staff from Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd came together recently to celebrate and look to the future of the company as the new management organisation gets under way.
Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd took responsibility for the management of all 4,200 Shropshire Council owned homes in the Oswestry and Bridgnorth areas in April 2013. The organisation manages homes and neighbourhoods; collects rent, orders repairs and makes improvements to all housing.
The team got together to discuss the future plans of the company and its visions and values. The day was a great success, giving staff members an opportunity to learn more about the new direction of the housing service, and a chance to meet colleagues from the other side of the county and the Chair of the Board, Nicki Barker.
Sue Adams, Managing Director for Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:
“We have been working extremely hard over the last 12 months to ensure the transition of management of Shropshire Council-owned homes ran as smoothly as possible. Our staff event was really successful, and all staff showed a great enthusiasm and determination to work together with our tenants and partners to provide good quality and comfortable social housing and community support for those who need them.”
As a separate ‘Arms-Length Management Organisation’ (ALMO) owned by the council, Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing has a management board made up of tenants, Shropshire Council representatives, independent community representatives and one housing staff member – meaning tenants will have a direct say for the first time. The board has ultimate responsibility for the whole organisation, and agrees and monitors priorities, service delivery and sets annual budgets.
Nicki Barker, Chair of Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Board, said:
“My vision as Chair of the board is to help create a clear identity for our company, a fresh start, better quality services, happier staff, happier tenants, and happier residents. As a tenant board member, I recognise the importance of giving tenants the opportunity to contribute and be involved in helping to create interest in and ownership of their homes and communities. I recognise, equally, the importance of increasing the engagement of staff with the new company, as they are so important to the growth and quality of the services we provide. As a board, we will monitor performance closely and be quick to ensure we respond to what is working for us and what is not. Clear leadership, shared goals and flexibility to respond effectively to changing situations will be vital in the economic climate we find ourselves in. I believe we have an excellent range of skills on our board and together we will meet our future challenges.”
For more information about Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing visit their website at www.starhousing.org.uk. You can also follow them on Facebook by searching for “Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing” or on twitter @star_housing.
