Community Gateway - Introduction
Now we are four!
[January 2007] Three more positive ballots have meant that Preston Community Gateway will be joined by Watford Community Housing Trust, Phoenix Community Housing and Greenfields Community Homes - three further Community Gateways in Watford, Lewisham (Bellingham and Downham estates) and Braintree respectively. [Continue reading]
The ballot results varied:
- Watford - 61% turnout with 54% voting in favour
- Lewisham - 51% turnout with 68.7% in favour
- Braintree - 67% turnout with 62% in favour
But these results will mean that all three will transfer during 2007.
Chris Blackett, the Chair of Watford's tenant group STAG said that "this marks the culmination of many years work for tenants and staff in Watford, and we are pleased that tenants have chosen to support the proposals we developed with Watford Council. We chose Community Gateway because it was a tenant membership organisation which will allow us to democratically own our homes and work with our staff to make decisions about the future of our homes and neighbourhoods. The hard work starts now."
Pat Fordham, Tenant and Chair of Lewisham's Phoenix Board said "I and other board members are looking forward with enthusiasm to being involved with the setting up of the new Community Gateway organisation" whilst Margaret McCarthy, Chair of the Phoenix Residents Steering Group commented that "We can now get on with preparations for the work to fulfill all the promises that have been made to tenants and leaseholders and to ensure that high expectations are properly met by our Phoenix organisation"
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The remaining Councils planning to ballot their tenants on Community Gateway transfers are Tamworth and Brighton - with ballots expected at some point this year.
As well as this, tenants in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Monmouthshire voted last year to transfer to the first Community Mutuals in Wales - the Welsh equivalent of Community Gateway, and Torfaen are planning to ballot their tenants in February 2007.
Tenants in Watford (Dave, Hilda, Lindsay, Lorraine and Mandy) campaigning for their yes vote
