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Everybody needs good neighbours
Neighbourly spirit and community involvement were recognised and rewarded at a Winter Gardens ceremony hosted by Blackpool Coastal Housing.
Blackpool Coastal Housing’s Customer Involvement Awards were designed to acknowledge tenants who have gone above and beyond to improve their neighbourhood and help out in the community.
Peter Jefferson, Chief of Blackpool Coastal Housing, said: “I’m delighted that so many of our tenants nominated their neighbours and peers for awards.
“We have received millions of pounds in funding to drive up the standard of the housing stock but community spirit is something that money can’t buy.
“It was wonderful to hear the stories of tenants of all ages who have made a real effort to improve the area they live, whether that be the environment or the lives of their neighbours and friends.
“I hope these awards become a yearly event and engender pride within Blackpool communities.”
Categories included ‘Best Communal Garden’, ‘Young Persons Award’ and ‘Best Environmental Activity’ with winners receiving a certificate and prize.
Examples of winners included Robert Denby who won the Good Neighbour Award. Robert’s neighbours describe him as a pillar of the community, gladly carrying out any odd jobs, providing transport to those who need to attend medical appointments, running the local neighbourhood watch and ensuring that those around him feel safe in their homes.
Stephen Johnson was the worthy winner of the Young Peoples Award. Stephen was selected for his commitment to Grange Park and their young residents. Over the past few years Stephen has taken responsibility for assisting with the young residents association and leading their very successful dance troop. He has been a mentor to many of Grange Park’s junior residents and always makes himself available to take part in local community initiatives.
The event was sponsored by Blackpool Coastal Housing partners Read and Errington, Baas, Mears, Connaught and Herbert T Forrest.
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New BCH Board Members
Earlier this year we invited all tenants who were interested in becoming Customer Directors to attend one of two Information Events held in late July and early August. Out of the 17 tenants who attended those meetings seven came forward as candidates for the election held at the end of September.
In order to ensure complete fairness the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) was commissioned to administer the election, including counting the votes. TPAS received 1,275 valid ballot papers with a total of 2,272 votes cast, which means that 20% of tenants and leaseholders participated in the ballot. The election results are shown in the table below.
Candidate Name Number of Votes Cast
Caroline Cook 430
Charles Martin 214
Peter Rowbotham 229
Janet Stirling 362
Alison Stringer 487
Julie Tress 229
Terence Winder 321
Alison Stringer and Caroline Cook will be appointed to the Board at our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 29th October 2008 and they will hold their office for three years until 2011 when they will step down under the rotational retirement rules. At that time they can stand for re-election if they wish.
Alison has been a Customer Director of Blackpool Coastal Housing since it was formed but due to retirement and rotational rules she was required to resign and stand for re-election. She is a parent governor at Layton School and enjoys being part of the Children’s Trust Board. As a previous BCH Director Alison played a part in achieving the 2 Star inspection rating and getting the £66 million to spend on improving your homes.
Caroline has been involved with her local tenants’ association at Queens Park for over twelve years. She was one of the original residents who set up the Brunswick Reassurance Policing Panel and was a Community Police Volunteer for over 3 years. Caroline is also a member of the Government’s CLG Resident Consultation Panel and was involved in the creation of Blackpool Coastal Housing as a member of the main tenant consultative group.
Independent Directors
The rotational retirement rules also created a vacancy for an Independent Director. Following interview, the Board has selected Paul Whitehead to be appointed to the Board at our Annual General Meeting. Like the new Customer Directors, he will serve for three years until 2011 when he can be considered for re-appointment.
Paul has worked in Housing for over 16 years, the last 10 at Director level. He is a fully qualified accountant and currently works for City West Homes in Salford.
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Mereside Housing Office Disruption
On Monday 6th October work will commence at the new Langdale Shop Development to realign kerbs, install drainage and reset tarmac. The works are scheduled to last approximately 3 weeks and will unfortunately have an impact on the Mereside Housing Office. Throughout the works access to the Office will only be available on foot and at times the Office may be closed to the public.
The Mereside Estate Office Team will still be available by contacting 01253 477996 during the improvement works.
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