We want to know what you think about our plans for the future...CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK
As we enter a New Year and look forward to the future, we are asking you for your views about our exciting plans to grow our business.
We are proposing the development of a different type of Company Structure, involving North Lincolnshire Homes Limited. We believe a new structure will enable us to develop new services and generate income to reinvest into developing homes and communities.
We are sending you this letter, plus a special magazine, to explain our proposals and seek your views. It is important you take the time to read the information and provide any feedback you have before a final decision is taken at a special general meeting.
The Proposal – A Group Structure for North Lincolnshire Homes
The Board of North Lincolnshire Homes is considering creating a Group Structure in which North Lincolnshire Homes and two other organisations, yet to be set up, would become operating subsidiaries of a parent body. It is important to note that the parent body would not be a registered housing provider, which means it would not be registered with the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), which is the housing regulator. The initial Board of the parent body will be made up of representatives nominated by North Lincolnshire Homes. The benefit of this arrangement for tenants would be:
· Opportunities for the Group to develop new services, where any savings made or income generated can be re-invested into improving services and homes.
· Better services to tenants through more expertise and innovation across the Group.
· Greater value for money and financial security for North Lincolnshire Homes through reduced costs which are spread across a wider range of services and customers within the Group.
· Better protection for North Lincolnshire Homes’ core business and assets, with the ability to ring fence risk in other organisations within the new Group.
View a diagram of the proposed structure by clicking here
What would remain the same?
· North Lincolnshire Homes will remain a charitable organisation registered with the Charity Commission and the Tenant Services Authority, committed to providing affordable housing to its tenants. North Lincolnshire Homes, as your landlord, will not change.
· All our staff will keep their employment with us and you will still see the same people.
· Your rights as a tenant will not be affected and North Lincolnshire Homes will enter into a legally binding agreement with the parent body to ensure landlord services are protected.
· Your tenancy terms will remain unchanged and any statutory right to buy or right to acquire your home that you currently have will not be affected in any way.
· The repairs and maintenance service will be provided in exactly the same way.
· Your rent and any service charges which you pay will not be affected.
· For leaseholders, the statutory right to collective enfranchisement (the right to collect if you buy the freehold of the building) and the right to a lease extension will remain the same.
· Tenants will continue to be represented on North Lincolnshire Homes’ Board.
· The Board of the parent body and Board of North Lincolnshire Homes will monitor the services you receive to ensure they are at least as good as you are currently receiving.
An opportunity for you to give your views
The change which we are proposing has already been discussed by the North Lincolnshire Homes Board but no decision will take place until we have consulted all tenants and leaseholders. We are asking for your views so that we may take them into account before making a decision.
We have set up a special email address thefuture@nlhomes.org.uk
The deadline for feedback is 27 February 2012.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK FORM
Further Information
If you would like to know more about our proposals, please read our special magazine, click here to view, or contact our Customer Centre, on 01724 279900 and a member of my team will call you back and will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Yours faithfully,
Andy Orrey
Chief Executive
North Lincolnshire Homes