Background
Several years ago, the Confederation of Co-operative Housing, Co-operative Union and Chartered Institute of Housing developed a new way of thinking for council housing stock transfer. They felt there was scope to allow tenants to gradually take greater control over their communities.
So they developed a new style of involving tenants in decision-making about their homes and neighbourhoods - called the Community Gateway.
This way of working means that tenants can be involved in local plans and decisions as much, or as little, as they want. And time and money is made available to help residents learn and develop their skills, and influence their landlord's work in a meaningful way.
Preston City Council was the first local authority in England to pursue stock transfer through the Community Gateway approach. The council realised that the level of investment needed to bring homes up to the national Decent Homes Standard was not available from its own finances.
But transferring all the stock was not a popular option - unless there was a way that local people could get involved and make positive social change happen in the city. Developing the Community Gateway Association was the perfect solution to a tricky problem.
For further information on the CGA's development, and information about how the Community Gateway approach works, please visit the frequently asked questions or downloads pages.
Top
What the CGA does
The Community Gateway Association (also known as the CGA or the Gateway for short) is a not-for-profit community business, set up to meet the housing needs of people in Preston and the surrounding areas.
A housing association with 6037 properties providing high quality homes for people in need, the CGA is also about creating friendly communities, where people want to live. Its services include:
- Improving homes and neighbourhoods
- Providing tenancy advice and support
- Helping people to find suitable housing for their needs
- Tackling anti-social behaviour and the causes of it
- Collecting rents and other charges
- Working with local communities to build individuals' skills, knowledge and confidence.
The CGA makes sure that tenants can influence what happens to their homes and neighbourhoods, and the services it provides. Local people are represented on the CGA Board, on the Gateway Tenant Committee, in neighbourhood groups and through ongoing, direct contact with staff and other residents.
There are lots of ways in which tenants influence the work of the CGA, including:
- Suggesting how services should be delivered locally
- Taking responsibility for how some services are delivered to their neighbourhood
- Setting up community organisations, ranging from toddler groups to new businesses
- Developing new links with partners (such as the police) to tackle local issues together.
The CGA is committed to promoting equality in everything it does - as an employer, a landlord and a community business. Giving people an equal chance to contribute towards the Gateway's work, and influence the business, is important to the success of the association. And the CGA recognises and values the wide range of skills, experiences and talents within its membership and workforce. This is reflected in the association's Equality and Diversity Policy.
Top
Vision and values
Our Vision is to be...
the Leader in Opening Doors to a Lasting, Richer Life
Our purpose is:
As a successful membership-led organisation, we will empower our communities to regenerate and grow.
The Gateway's work is based on the following values, which are part of everything the association does:
- We do what we say
- We are open and honest
- We put our diverse communities at the heart of all we do
- We promote empowerment
- We passionately promote Gateway
- We value and support all our people
The CGA is investing in many thousands of pounds, and a lot of time, to expand and maintain skills within local communities. So the Gateway is not just about housing; it's also about changing attitudes and the culture of delivering neighbourhood services.
Top
Promises to tenants
Before homes transferred, the CGA promised tenants a list of improvements and benefits. Tenants were sent an offer document explaining what would happen if they voted for, or against, transfer.
The list of promises includes:
- A major programme of repairs and improvements, including new kitchens, bathrooms, central heating and double glazing, with £80 million being spent in the first five years (further details are in the find out about home improvements section of this website)
- A better housing management service, including new ways of working with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour
- Directly involving tenants in the management of their homes, by creating ways to make local decision-making a reality and encouraging and supporting people
- Investing £400,000 every year for the first five years, to increase resident involvement in the CGA's work
- • New and improved timescales for day-to-day repairs, and an improved appointment system
- Protecting tenants' key rights, through a contract between the CGA and Preston City Council.
These promises are top of the CGA's list of priorities, and the association is working hard to make them a reality.
Top
Equality & Diversity
We believe that an inclusive approach benefits all and enables everyone to contribute to our community. Our Equality and Diversity Statement sets out our definition of what this means to the CGA. We are committed to providing an environment for communities where respect is shown to all and where everyone is valued and able to achieve their full potential.
For more information please view our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Top
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is the Community Gateway only suitable for stock transfers?
No. This type of organisation can be used to manage council housing or to take ownership of homes as a registered social landlord (usually a housing association).
With registered social landlords, an organisation could be a not-for-profit limited company, an industrial and provident society, a stand-alone landlord or part of a bigger group structure.
Is this model suitable for parts of an organisation's housing stock, as well as wholesale transfer?
Yes. It can be used for some, or all, homes. Every neighbourhood or community's needs are different, so it's important to be flexible.
What are the main duties of a Community Gateway Association?
Initially, new associations usually focus on improving the condition of homes and some neighbourhood works. But over time, the organisation could develop a wider role in improving communities through regeneration.
What are the main steps involved in setting up a Community Gateway Association?
There are six steps crucial to getting started:
- Build awareness among tenants, leaseholders, staff, councillors, the media and local communities
- Decide which areas would be covered by the Community Gateway approach
- Agree the size, legal structure and responsibilities of the organisation
- Work with tenants and leaseholders to promote the model and recruit members
- Set up the shadow board(s) for the new organisation
- Develop a community empowerment strategy and business plan
If stock transfer is likely, it's important to build community empowerment programmes in the offer to tenants and leaseholders.
Top
Data Protection Act 1998
Rights to Access
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 any individual has rights to access data held about
themselves by any organisation which might be holding such data. This right does not
extend to accessing information about other people, other than children, unless specific
authorisation has been given.
Individuals may access this information through a Subject Access Request made to the
organisation holding the information.
The CGA makes a charge of £10 for Subject Access Requests. To contact someone
about making a subject access request phone 0800 953 0213
To be valid, a Subject Access Request must eventually: -
- be in writing
- contain your name and address for correspondence
- some proof of identity preferably with some evidence of current address
- give sufficient information to help us locate the information you require
Requests for information should be sent to: -
The Data Protection Officer
Community Gateway Association
Deltic House
West Strand
Preston
PR1 8UY
Top
|
