Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Rochdale ahead of the game

by Ethos public relations

Professor Ian Cole has accepted the position of Independent Chair of a commission which will examine the various options for the sustainable future of council housing in Rochdale.

The Investment and Involvement Commission is a joint initiative from ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Rochdale Borough Council set up to examine the future options.

Professor Cole said: "I am very pleased to have been asked to Chair the Commission which provides an innovative approach to looking at the future of housing services in the borough.

"This independent approach means that we are going to be giving each option a very thorough examination and demonstrates that both the Council and RBH are well ahead of other local authorities and doing some serious thinking about the challenges faced."

Government plans to dismantle the housing revenue account have prompted RBH and the Council to establish the Commission and they have placed tenants at the heart of the discussions. As well as representatives from the two organisations, five tenants will also sit on the Commission and RBH intends setting up a larger group to shadow the Commission?s work.

Gareth Swarbrick, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing's Chief Executive said: "The Commission will be looking at all the potential financial options for the future of council housing in Rochdale.

"Equally importantly, it will assess how RBH can further develop its role in regenerating neighbourhoods and how tenants can become further involved in shaping services."

"We hope that by working with such a high profile and well respected independent housing expert, the recommendations of the Commission will not just inform our local decision-making, but also prove useful to colleagues elsewhere in the country as they look for answers to similar questions."

The Commission will report in March 2010 and its recommendations will then be considered by RBH and the Council.

Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee, the Council?s Cabinet Member for Housing said: "This Commission is an innovative approach to a nationwide problem and continues our proud record of tenant involvement.

"The recommendations of the Commssion will ensure we are well informed in order to make the important final decisions on how best to secure our existing housing stock and deliver new homes in the future."

Posted at 9^th October 2009