Welcome to my latest blog, I’m excited to share some key highlights from our recent Board meeting in March.The lovely weather we have had recently has been a great reminder of the benefits of getting outdoors. Whether it's exploring the communities on our doorstep, enjoying nature in local parks and nature reserves, or simply connecting with others. All of these activities help boost our wellbeing and reduce the risk of social isolation.
While browsing the Community Gateway website, I was reminded that our Atrium and Courtyards Extra Care Schemes are open to everyone. Each site has a bistro, hair salon, and nail bar, perfect for a visit or just a catch-up with friends. Why not pop in and see for yourself?
- The Atrium: Miller Road, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 6FY
- The Courtyards: Dovedale Ave, Ingol, Preston, PR2 3WQ
Now, onto Board business. You may remember that around this time last year, the Regulator of Social Housing published its revised Consumer Standards, which set out the expectations for the quality of our homes and the services we provide.
Since then, CGA has undertaken a thorough self-assessment against the new standards to ensure we are fully compliant. The Board have been regularly involved and updated throughout the process, and I’m pleased to say we signed off the self-assessment at March’s meeting. We’re confident CGA is performing very well, and we have also agreed a few areas where we can further improve.
We have now entered year two of our six-year Corporate Plan. At the meeting, the Board approved the new targets and measures for this year. We also signed off updates to the Asset Management and Service Transformation Strategies, as well as agreeing a Service Improvement Plan. These focus on key areas such as Repairs and Maintenance, Financial Resilience, and Customer Service, and will help to improve your experience of the services Community Gateway provide and continue to deliver great value for money.
The Board also approved the 2025/26 budget and annual business plan. We also received an update on Housing Services, which covers a range of areas, including Homelessness Provision, Anti-Social Behaviour, Tenancy Support, and much more.
We were also pleased to welcome two new Board members - Sue Sutton, joining as an Independent Board Member, and Simone De La Harpe, who joins us as a Tenant Board Member. Both have a wide range of skills and experience that strengthens our Board even further.
Finally, I would like to congratulate everyone involved at CGA for their contributions, which have led to us becoming a finalist in four categories at the forthcoming Northern Housing Awards, and for once again achieving a five-star rating in the recent British Safety Council Health and Safety Audit.
A reminder that if you ever need to get in touch whether it’s to ask a question, report a repair, or anything else there are plenty of ways to get in touch.
I’ll be back with another update following the next Board meeting in May.
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