| 08-12-2008 |
LEE STOCK TRANSFER PROCESS
"I remembered the selection interviews for the ITA, many months ago, and I recall how obvious the selection of Open Communities was. Tom presented very well, but it was undoubtedly Tom’s open and natural manner that won the contract. The bid was supported by:
- Having 2 independent advisors, respecting the individuality of the 2 estates but bringing two unknown RTA’s together. This was undoubtedly the major challenge.
- Focus on strengthening the RTA’s through specialised training.
- Open Communities uncompromising attitude to support the RTA’s despite the very specific LBL driven agenda. We needed a strong partner, to help us secure the best deal for our estates, despite the tight workings of the local authority.
- Involving a resident in budget issues, also created a feeling of openness, accountability and monitoring. All areas where the RTA’s had previously felt disempowered.
Reaching this stage of the process has taken much time and effort for all parties involved, and I am so thankful that we have had continuity of support from the same 2 ITA’s through-out this whole process. Despite the distances that needed to be travelled for meetings, Lee and Blasé have been superb.
I must commend the selection of the 2 ITA’s. Blasé has a fiery and tempestuous nature, with a gift for straight talking. This was often needed to challenge LBL, Steering group members, and Housing Associations alike. This was carefully balanced with the gentle nature of Lee, who often showed diplomacy and excellent negotiation skills towards all parties involved. This good balance was needed to keep the process on track, and as a Steering group we benefited from their close workings.
I would have liked to reflect more on the process whilst it was happening. Reflection in action was overlooked, as the demands of the process increased. I would suggest that feedback opportunities be built into the process at key points. This would ensure the Steering group felt in control of the process. At times it felt as if LBL were driving the timetable and agenda.
I have enjoyed the process, and I am personally very thankful to Open Communities for their support, training, advice and response to our individual needs. The support of the larger team is also appreciated. The office staff preparing the newsletters, the other team members involved with door knocking exercises and Tom’s monthly invoices have all ensured the smooth running of the process.
We wish you every success in the future.
Kind regards and thanks again."
(Lee-Ann de Villiers, Steering Group Member) |
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| 18-11-2008 |
"Open Communities have expertly guided us through a very challenging process, and ensured that our interests were central at all times. Their level of commitment and energy took us by surprise, and their obvious competence gave us complete confidence that our efforts would meet with success. Our working relationship was both friendly and professional- an ideal combination, and their training, support and advice has put us on an exellent footing for the future."
(Igor Kovanovic, Chair of the Lee Steering Group) |
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| 13-11-2008 |
"I appreciate the help and guidance we had from Jamie during the arduous task of the Housing Options Panel. He made the information given to us much clearer and understandable, in a professional way and I would Recommend Jamie and Open Communities to continue if Warrington Borough Council or Golden Gates need the services of an ITA in the future."
(Housing Options Tenant Panel Member, Warrington Borough Council) |
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| 13-11-2008 |
"You have been so helpful and it is much appreciated.I am more hopeful now and await developments next year."
(Property owner, Brunswick PFI, Manchester) |
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| 11-11-2008 |
"As a tenant on both the Housing Options Panel and the Tenant Consultative Panel, I have been very happy with the way Jamie gave us support and information. The information given was in plain language and easy to follow.
I would recommend Open Communities to other tenants going through the same process."
(Warrington Housing Options Panel and Tenanats Consultative Panel member) |
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| 10-07-2008 |
"The group are really happy with what you are doing and are looking forward to working with you in the future. Had only positives to say."
(Private Finance Initiative team, Manchester City Council) |
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| 03-07-2008 |
"I came away with a better understanding of how the financial implications would affect a decision on which recommendation would best suit tenants"
(Warrington Housing Options Panel member) |
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| 03-07-2008 |
"Session was very helpful and I look forward to others"
(Warrington Housing Options Panel member) |
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| 10-01-2008 |
"Open Communities has increased my understanding of the process and what is involved"
(Committee Member, Bacup and Stacksteads EMB) |
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| 06-11-2007 |
"It was a very useful and inspiring trip, an eye opener to the merits of resident led organisations"
(Committee Member Lambeth Alliance of Tenant Management Organisations) |
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| 25-10-2007 |
"No real weaknesses"
(Committee Member, Bollingbroke and Richard Heights Tenants and Residents Association) |
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| 10-07-2007 |
"They guided us through a very difficult and political process, acting with integrity, honesty and excellent people skill"
(Committee Member, Sutton Coldfield Housing Liaison Board) |
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| 10-06-2007 |
"I think we have learned a lot from the Open Communities team"
(Committee Member, Westminster Estate Tenants and Residents Association (Liverpool)) |
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| 26-04-2007 |
"New insights were generated, which I felt was very valuable"
(Committee Member Lee Steering Group - Lewisham) |
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| 18-07-2006 |
"We found them very easy people to work with. They took us the extra mile to ensure we understood all the issues"
(Member, Conwy Task and Finish Group - Stock Options) |
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| 13-09-2005 |
"Very good at giving us expert advice"
(Committee Member, Saltney Ferry Tenants and Residents Association - Flintshire) |
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| 10-04-2005 |
"Hopefully we will find that now we have seen clearly our weaknesses we can move forward"
(Committee Member, Sholver TMO (Oldham)) |
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"We will always be grateful to your staff for the training they gave us"
(Committee Member Hackenthorpe Tenants and Residents Association) |
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"Thank you for your great help"
(Committee Member Small Heath Housing Liaison Board) |
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"Have enjoyed the course and I’m looking forward to other courses because I’ve learned a lot. I’m ready for the future and it’s a fact that I am looking forward to the big challenge ahead!"
(Committee Member, Jarvista Residents Association) |
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As the ITA to the East Manchester Steering Group we found that Jamie and your team have been most helpful in advising us all along the way.
The training sessions were most helpful and gave us an understanding of how we could cope with any of the issues that might have arisen.
It’s been a pleasure to know and work so closely with Jamie.
Thank you to all at Open Communities.
(Joan Green – Chair of Steering Group) |
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I thought that the work done by Open Communities in relation to the properties in our area being transferred to Eastlands very good and most informative. We would have been operating in the dark without the efforts of Jamie Martin and Raymond Coyle. I, for one learnt a great deal.
(Mavis Holt - Tenant) |
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You are obviously experienced and very good at what you do.Many thanks for your support and your hard work.
I’m sure the Steering Group will agree with me that it’s been a pleasure working with you.’
(Gloria Ighodaro – Project Manager, Manchester City Council) |
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All queries were answered accurately and promptly and explanations given in a way understood by everyone. I have no adverse comments to make at all
(John Brown – Tenant Board Member, Eastlands Homes) |
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I think you can congratulate yourself and your colleagues at Open Communities, for a job well done.
I don’t think that such a good turn out and positive result would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the hard work and good advice that you have given both to the Steering Group and the individual tenants and residents associations. I know that my own small group really appreciated your coming out and to talk to us and to answer many of the questions that had been worrying them.
I know that, as someone who had never before contemplated undertaking a task of such magnitude and importance for people’s lives, I could not have managed without the support and guidance so expertly given by you and your colleagues.
I’m absolutely certain that, whatever the job may be, it will be approached with the same mix of patience, humour and professionalism that has been the hallmark of your very considerable efforts on our behalf.
You have succeeded, not only in keeping us on the right track whilst the job got done but, to my amazement , actually made it seem enjoyable – a not inconsiderable feat when one is faced with such a daunting task.
I think that all of us on the Steering Group were rank amateurs when we set out on the long road that has brought us to where we are today. Now, thanks in no small measure to your help and support, I think we may consider ourselves as, if not experts in the field of Social Housing, then at least far wiser and better equipped than we were then.
I have no doubt that you will give the same commitment to your future clients as you have given to us and that they will, in the fullness of time, be thanking you as I am today.
(Colin Watkinson – Steering Group Member) |
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank both yourselves (Tom & Lee) and your colleagues at Open Communities for the dedication you have given the LATMOS Group during the feasibility phase.
We did not expect this transition to be without its problems but it must surely be one of the most difficult potential transfers in history! We really appreciate your professionalism and persistence, especially when this project's continuation was so unpredictable.
(Kathy Thomas, Chairperson LATMOS) |
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