Welcome to Colne Connected, Colne's stakeholder newsletter.

Since the last issue went to press, the political landscape has altered considerably, and the eventual impact this will have on affordable housing still remains to be seen. However, what we know for sure is that the number of new affordable homes built over the coming years is likely to decrease considerably.

A home is one of the most basic of human needs, but it is becoming harder and harder for many people to secure an affordable one. With 4.5 million people currently on housing waiting lists across the county, the average age of a first-time buyer reaching 37, and the average deposit reaching £30,000, the situation has become untenable, and with further budget cuts promised, it is set to become even worse.

At this point in the financial year, Colne would normally be applying for funding for future development from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), but with the situation as uncertain as it is, the Society knows that it cannot count on this to be approved.

But, however bleak the outlook, Colne has reason to remain positive. We are well placed to manage the situation, and have a healthy number of homes being built, with over 150 properties currently under construction. We are  looking at innovative ways of expanding should funding be cut further; for example the potential that stock transfer can offer, such as the Society’s recent acquisition of Fiske Court in Clacton.

In these times of limited resources, it is even more important that we work effectively with you, our partners, to find efficient ways of meeting housing need in our local community.

Mark Powell Davies - Chief Executive

New affordable homes

Oakapple Close phase 2 - Despite the recent cutbacks in funding, Colne and its development partner Iceni Homes, has been successful in securing grant for phase two of its Oakapple Close scheme, the former Ministry of Defence site in Colchester.

The grant is worth £2 million and will enable the Society to construct a further 61 new homes, making Oakapple Close the largest scheme ever undertaken by Colne. Once complete, at a total cost of some £13 million, the development will deliver 134 affordable houses and bungalows, which will be made available to local people in housing need.

Supported Housing

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Fiske Court, Clacton - Colne has recently completed the transfer of Fiske Court, a sheltered housing scheme in Clacton for residents aged 60 plus, from Hanover Housing Association.

The scheme, which has 31 flats, requires considerable renovation and will benefit from a £500k improvement project over the next 18 months.

Elm Tree Court, Halstead - Colne has been shortlisted for a prominent ‘What we are proud of’ Award, for its supported living scheme, Elm Tree Court in Halstead.

The development has enabled eight residents, each with learning disabilities, to move out of Nether Priors, the residential care home they had been living in, and into their own flats, which have been specifically tailored to meet their individual requirements.

Supporting our local communities

The Community Development arm of Colne Housing has delivered exceptional results during the past six months, which have had a noticeable impact on the local community.

Forest Road Meeting Hall - The meeting hall on Forest Road, Greenstead has been standing empty for a number of years and has fallen into a state of disrepair. In a bid to provide a new focal point for the Greenstead community, the society has put funds in place to totally renovate the building and pay for the first twelve months' rent.

The meeting hall will offer the local community enormous potential and residents are fully involved in the project, intending to use it for public hire, junior youth activities and other community groups.

Forest Park Avenue Youth Worker - Colne and Estuary Housing Association have started work on a joint project to improve the provision of youth services in and around the Forest Park Avenue and Chantry Close areas of Clacton. Following public consultation, the overwhelming feedback was that there was not enough for young people to do in the area.

As a result, a partnership was established between the two housing associations and Integrated Youth Services, to develop opportunities for young people living in the area, working with them, listening to their views and helping them decide what they would like to see happening on the estate.

The first step was to employ a Youth Worker, who has teamed up with two members of the Youth Services Team. Together they deliver youth work on the estate two evenings a week. Aimed at 13-19 year olds, the provision will initially run for four months, and should it be a success, the aim is to extend it further.

Colne Community Fund

The Colne Community Fund continues to support organisations working in the communities in which the Society operates. Some of the most recent recipients of grants have been:

• Young Parents café Heybridge was awarded £500 to part fund the lease of the café for another year.

• The Filling Station café, located at the Greenstead Community Centre, received a grant for £185.

• St Albrights church was awarded £598 towards its new village hall.

• Community Street Warden is a Greenstead based community project that aims to engage children aged between 5 and 17. The society has given the organisation £500, which will fund the project for another six months.

• Heybridge Youth Partnership Event aims to fill the identified gap in activities for young people aged between 11and 18 living in Heybridge. Colne has contributed £1,500 towards the scheme.

Colne Housing School of the year - In a new initiative for 2010, Colne chose Myland Primary School as its School of the Year.

Charity of the year - Another new initiative has been the introduction of the Colne Charity of the Year, which for 2010 is Help for Hero’s. All money raised from forthcoming events will be donated to this very worthwhile cause.

Society news

Colne Performance 2009/10 - The Society made a surplus of £2million in 2009/10. It is one of the most efficient housing associations in the country and all the money will be spent on building new affordable housing or improving our existing homes.

Improving external communication - Colne has further expanded the methods by which it communicates with its residents and stakeholders by embracing the world of social networking. The Society now has both Facebook and Twitter pages, each offering ‘fans’ and ‘followers’ the opportunity to keep abreast of our news and views.

To see what we have been saying, visit our sites below.

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