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Colne leads the way in support for smaller housing associations
19th December 2007
Fast-growing affordable housing provider, Colne Housing, is ahead of the game in the Government-led drive to enhance and improve the range of support and guidance provided to smaller local housing associations.
Colchester-based Colne Housing has won a new contract to provide a unique management support package to the smaller Witham Housing Association. Colne Housing will provide elements of the finance and housing management functions on behalf of Witham Housing Association.
The contract positions Colne Housing in the forefront of a new Government drive to enhance inter-agency support and increase the capacity of smaller agencies to deal with a growing workload.
The announcement comes as the Government’s national affordable homes agency – the Housing Corporation which is responsible for investing in new homes -pushes ahead with research to explore the growing needs of small housing associations.
Research into the assistance needed by small housing associations has been commissioned by the Housing Corporation, looking specifically at the provision of support for this area. Management consultancy Campbell Tickell is carrying out the research which is specifically designed to ensure that the smaller housing associations have the capacity to cope with the increasing demands faced by the sector.
James Tickell of Campbell Tickell adds; “This contract where a larger housing association is able to extend its expertise to a smaller neighbour is absolutely in line with the preliminary outcomes of our research as one of the options.
“We are looking to find out what kind of support and guidance smaller housing associations can best use, and would like more of.
“Colne Housing’s new contract with Witham Housing Associations shows how this is already starting to happen on the ground.
“The final report is due out later in the spring and will include the results of a questionnaire which has been sent to every small housing association.”
Welcoming the announcement, Witham Housing Association Vice Witham Housing Association Chairman Margaret Robbins said: “
“Our Association was founded and has thrived on the support of a carefully selected, local volunteer committee drawn from the professions.
“As a small provider, we have recognised a growing need to contract in sector-specific skills to maintain key processes, obtain advice on legislative changes and access other evolving information channels such as Supporting People, funding and training.
“This important change in our traditional modus operandi integrates with our current business plan and family-based ethos and facilitates the niche provision of our own local brand. We are all excited about the benefits this will bring and look forward to working with Colne Housing.”
Colne Housing’s new Business and Commercial Manager Richard Jones said:”Colne is proud to be setting the pace in enhancing and extending the range of support and professional expertise which is able to provide to other smaller housing associations and voluntary sector organisations.
“Our experienced in-house team will work to ensure that smaller housing associations are gearing up for the increasing challenges with which they will be faced.
“We can now offer a wide and increasing range of professional services which we hope other smaller organisations in the East of England will respond positively to.”
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