| 05-02-2010
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| Open Communites appointed as ITA for Slough Borough Council! |
| Open Communities will act as ITA for residents affected by the decision of the Council to take the housing services back from the ALMO. |
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| 04-02-2010
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| Open Communities appointed by the Kingston Upon Thames Tenants Federation and Council to review Tenant Participation! |
| This month Open Communities started working with residents and the Council in Kingston to review their tenant participation strategy. This work is being carried out by Nic Bliss and Sheila Adamson |
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| 04-02-2010
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| Open Communities appointed to work with TMO's in Camden! |
| Open Communities has been invited to work with several TMO's in the London Borough of Camden to review their management agreements. This work is being undertaken by Blase Lambert
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| 04-02-2010
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| Open Communites appointed to work to develop Community Leadership Pilots! |
| Open Communities has been appointed by the Community Development Foundation to develop and deliver learning and training sessions for local residents and tenants as part of the 'Community Leadership Pilot Learning Programme'. Open Communities staff are currently working with local authorities in Basilon, Peterborough and Luton. |
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| 27-11-2009
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| Open Communities supports the Liverpool Santa Dash 09 5k Fun Run |
| This Christmas, one of our Directors, Tom Hopkins will be joining 8,000 other runners in dressing up as Santa and running through Liverpool for Charity. This year on the 6th December, Tom will be running for the charity 'Cash For Kids'. Anyone wishing to sponsor Tom, please email enquiries@opencommunities.org. |
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| 13-11-2009
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| Tenant Services Authority issues consultation paper on: A new regulatory framework for Social Housing in England |
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Downloads : Statutory consultation TSA Standards.pdf |
| 02-11-2009
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| Guide Neighbourhood Events |
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Downloads : GuiteTMO_Seminar_Flyer.pdf |
| 21-10-2009
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| Open Communities appointed to act as Independent Tenants Advisor for the London Borough of Hillingdon! |
| Open Communities will act as ITA for residents affected by the decision of the Council to take the housing services back from the ALMO. |
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| 12-10-2009
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| Chester Naomh Padraig GAA team |
Open Communities are the proud sponsors of Chester Naomh Pádraig GAA team. The newly formed club is based in Chester in the North West of England. Open Communities have supplied the new club with their first set of kits. Ray Coyle of Open Communities said:
"It's great to see the GAA game take root in England. Chester now has a team to compete with the other GAA teams in the North West and have made a great start to the season. We are ver happy to be associated with the club and wish it every success."
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| 08-10-2009
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| Our Secure Future! |
Residents of two Liverpool estates managed by Tenant Management Organisations have, alongside Open Communities, succeeded in securing funding from the Safer Homes Fund for a ground breaking project to increase community safety and awareness of security issues.
The 'Our Secure Future' project will deliver advice, information and security measures to residents in the Childwall Valley and Kingsheath areas of Liverpool. This exciting project aims to bring peace of mind to around 1200 families by helping them understand techniques which will prevent them becoming victims of opportunistic crime. Free security measures such as door chains, spy holes, window locks and more will be provided alongside information and advice on preventing crime.
Jamie Martin, Director of Open Communities said 'we have a long track record of working alonside the two groups and are delighted to assist them in building upon their excellent roles as landlords and providing more benefits to their communities'. |
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| 08-10-2009
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| Mount Community Association reached the Development stage of the Right to Manage process |
The Mount Community Association in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire have just become the first group in Wales to reach the Development stage of the Right to Manage process. After successfully completeing the Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility stages of the process, the group achieved the following ballot result and the end of the Feasibility stage.
Number of tenants who cast a vote: 116 (33% of potential voters)
Spoiled votes: 1
Tenants voting to carry on to
Development stage: 88 (77%)
Tenants voting against carrying on
to Development stage: 27 (23%)
The group will now begin the final Development stage of the process. This should last between 18 and 24 months. A huge 'WELL DONE' to all involved! |
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| 10-09-2009
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| National Tenant Organisations respond to the Tenant Services Authority |
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Downloads : Three NTO submission to TSA v4.doc |
| 08-09-2009
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| Apply for a place on the new National Tenants Voice Council! |
The National Tenant Voice is a new organisation for tenants of housing associations, housing co-ops and local authorities (including ALMOs) in England. It is being set up to give tenants a voice, influence and expertise at national level.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the voice of tenants heard and to influence national policies that affect social housing tenants. Consider applying to be on the new National Tenant Council - find out more here: http://www.hays.com/jobs/ntv. |
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| 08-09-2009
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| Open Communities appointed as lead advisor for Bushbury Hill EMB in Wolverhampton! |
| Open Communities has recently been appointed to work for Bushbury Hill EMB to support the EMB look at the creation of a community led stock transfer. This work is funded by the Tenant Services Authority. |
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| 28-08-2009
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| Open Communities is an Investor in People! |
Following a recent independent assessment Open Communities have maintained our status as an Investor in People. The Investor in People standard is a nationally recognised award only given to companies who can demonstrate a real commitment to investing in their staff and their development. The Investor in People assessor 'was satisfied beyond any doubt that Open Communities continues to meet the requirements of the Investors in People standard'.
The directors team would like to thank the ongoing efforts of all our staff and associates for assisting the Company to achieve this prestigious award and will make sure our commitment to providing high quality services, delivered by quality staff remains part of the Company ethos.
To all our valued clients and partner organisations we hope the award demonstrates that Open Communities continues to strive towards providing services of an unrivalled quality. |
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| 26-06-2009
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| Open Communities appointed ITA in Stoke-on-Trent |
| Open Communities have been appointed to act as Independent Tenants Advisor to validate the Housing Department Business Plan. |
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| 24-06-2009
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| Open Communities appointed as Independent Advisor in Camden! |
| Open Communities are appointed as Independent Tenants Advisor (ITA) to support and advise residents living on the Maiden Lane estate over the next six months whilst the residents are consulted with major regeneration proposals. |
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| 17-06-2009
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| Open Communities publish their new training brochure for 2009-2010 |
| This week Open Communities published our new training brochure for social housing tenants and landlords. The new brochure shows new
training topics, and those topics that are complaint with the new Right To Manage Common Assessment Model, and offers reduced prices for all services. Please contact Open Communities for a brochure on enquiries@opencommunities.org or go to Training Services on this website and download a PDF of the brochure. |
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| 20-05-2009
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| Open Communities gains the accreditation: Positive About Disabled People! |
| This month Open Communities was awarded with the 'Positive About Disabled People' accreditation from the Department of Works and Pensions which reflects our company ethos about working within our Equal Opportunities Policy.
Open Communities, Managing Director, Tom Hopkins, commented that "the accreditation reflected the hard work of the company Directors and staff to support opportunities for disabled people within our work." |
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| 06-05-2009
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| TMO`s appoint Open Communities to renegotiate their management agreements! |
| Two established Tenant Management Organsiations in Newham have appointed Open Communities to review their respective management agreements with the London Borough of Newham. The assignment is a relatively short one and should be completed in May-June 2009. |
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| 06-05-2009
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| Open Communities works with TMO to manage their estate! |
| Chalk Farm Housing Group, based in Camden has appointed Open Communities Approved Associate Mick O'Sullivan to become their Estate Manager for a period of six months to cover the postholders maternity leave. |
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| 09-04-2009
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| Report: A future for ALMO`s |
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Downloads : NFA - A future for ALMOs.pdf |
| 03-04-2009
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| Comission for Co-operative and Mutual Housing issues a `Call for Evidence Paper` |
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Downloads : CCMH - CALL FOR EVIDENCE PAPER - March 2009.pdf |
| 20-03-2009
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| CCMH organise a hearing in Bristol to debate community controled housing |
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Downloads : Housing Event2.pdf |
| 17-03-2009
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| Open Communities appointed by Clarence Way Tenants & Residents Association to "Explore the Options" |
Clarence Way TRA, based in Camden is an experienced tenants association who has appointed Open Communities to work with the residents to explore their tenant participation and management options. Funded by grant from the Tenant Services Authority, this project is planned to take approximately 6 months.
The project is being managed by Lee Page. |
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| 09-03-2009
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| NFTMO Announce their Annual Conference |
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Downloads : 2009 Advance flyer.doc |
| 16-02-2009
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| Open Communities has been appointed as ICA to work with residents in South Aston |
Open Communities has been appointed as Independent Community Advisor (ICA) to work with residents in South Aston in Birmingham for the next twelve months.
Open Communities will consult residents regarding the Councils options to regenerate the estate. |
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| 09-02-2009
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| Open Communities has been appointed as ITA throughout Warrington Borough Council |
| Open Communities has been appointed as Independent Tenants Advisor (ITA) to tenants and leaseholders throughout Warrington Borough Council in Cheshire. We are appointed to offer an advisory service during the Councils Large Scale Voluntary Transfer proposal. Tenants are expected to be balloted in October 2009. |
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| 26-12-2008
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| Study Tour Photo |
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| 21-11-2008
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| Open Communities appointed as Independent tenants advisors in Glasgow! |
| Open Communities has been appointed by Britain's largest social landlord, Glasgow Housing Association, to act as Independent Tenants Advisors to tenants considering transfer to community based organisations. Open Communities work will be led by Raymond Coyle, Regional Director, Scotland and Wales. Ray said: "We look forward to providing tenants with the highest quality independent advice and information." |
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| 06-11-2008
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| Open Communities appointed by TMO to carry out recruitment drive! |
| Open Communities has been appointed by SHOUT TMO in North Manchester to recruit new board members and offer an induction training package to the new board. |
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| 06-11-2008
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| Open Communities appointed to select TMO Chief Executive! |
| Open Communities has been appointed to support Belle Isle TMO in Leeds to find a new Chief officer following the retirement of the previous postholder. It is hoped an appointment will be made in january 2009. |
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| 06-11-2008
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| Kilburn Square Co-op negotiates a new management agreement |
| Open Communities has been appointed to work with Kilburn Square TMC in the London borough of Brent to renegoatiate a new management agreement and negotiate new management allowances for the Co-op. |
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| 06-11-2008
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| Open Communities has been appointed to work with the Pocklington Trust to develop tenant participation in the organisation |
| Open Communities appointed to work with specialist provider of housing, care and support services for people with sight loss in the UK |
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| 23-10-2008
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| Tom Hopkins appointed TMO Approved Assessor! |
| The Managing Director of Open Communities has recently been appointed by the Housing Corporation to become one of five nationally approved Assessors. The role of the Approved Assessor is to assess whether a Tenant Management Organisation group is competent to manage housing before the TMO group puts its offer to tenants in a ballot. Tom has been initially appointed to work with TMOs in London, Nottingham and Birmingham. |
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| 14-10-2008
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| National Housing Federation issue consultation paper titled 2Housing Association Code of Service Delivery and Accountability |
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Downloads : NHF consultation doc service delivery accountabillity Oct 08.pdf |
| 01-10-2008
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| Lee Page appointed Regional Manager (South) |
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| 26-09-2008
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| NCRC courses: New Opportunities for Tenant Management |
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Downloads : New Opportunities for Tenant Management Flyer 2008.pdf |
| 22-09-2008
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| Shakespeare Estate Project and Penrhys project |
| Open Communities has been appointed to work with two communities in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales. You can find out more about these projects by clicking on Cymru/Wales page. |
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| 29-08-2008
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| Leeds Tenants Federation |
| Open Communities has been appointed to work with the Leeds Tenants Federation to examine tenant management and tenant led stock option appraisals |
Downloads : Communities in Control Poster 2.pdf New Wortley_web.pdf gipton_final.pdf |
| 04-08-2008
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| Government issue consultation paper on Proposals for Legislative Reform Order for Credit Unions and Industrial and Provident Societies |
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Downloads : consult_lro230708.pdf |
| 21-07-2008
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| CLG issue National Tenant Voice Consultation Paper |
| Interested parties are requested to submit comments by 12th September 2008. |
Downloads : NTV Consultation Paper final.doc |
| 11-07-2008
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| Government issue White Paper: Communities in Control |
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Downloads : CLG Communities in Control July 2008.pdf |
| 20-06-2008
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| Open Communities opens office in Wales |
| This month Open Communities is pleased to announce that we have managed to secure and new office for our operations based in Wales. The office in Cardiff Wales is staffed by one member of staff and has facilities for meetings and training. The address is 55a Holton Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan CF63 4HF |
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| 05-06-2008
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| National Tenants Voice Events Flyer |
The Government has set an inspiring new agenda where tenants should be at the heart of decision-making about their homes and neighbourhoods. All over the country, tenants are playing a vital role in shaping how their housing and community services are provided.
But we want to hear your views. These events will be an opportunity for tenants everywhere to:
- Hear our proposals for the NTV
- Consider what you think it could do for tenants
- Think about how best to ensure that its works for all tenants
- Let us know your views. |
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| 29-05-2008
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| HIRO - Havelock Independent Residents Organisation - May 2008 Newsletter |
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Downloads : Open_hiro_Layout 1.pdf |
| 22-03-2008
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| Open Communities small firm of the week! |
| Open Communities was featured in the Liverpool Echo as small firm of the week. |
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| 18-03-2008
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| NFTMO 2008 Annual TMO Conference June 20-22nd |
| Flyer for the NFTMO Annual Conference 2008, at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire on June 20th - June 22nd. |
Downloads : NFTMO_2008_Conference_Flyer.pdf |
| 16-02-2008
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| Oscailte is up and running |
| Based in Dublin, Oscailte, is a new independent housing management, advice and training agency, specialising in supporting and advising social landlords and other stakeholders through change. Providing opportunities and supporting the delivery of effective management to Social Housing organisations. |
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| 19-01-2008
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| Birmingham Branch re-opening |
| After a period of downtime following construction work, the Open Communities branch in Birmingham is now open. |
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| 14-12-2007
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| London Borough of Camden, London |
| Open Communities were appointed by the London Borough of Camden to carry out training for one TMO on good governance. |
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