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A new future for Russet Homes

The Board of Russet Homes has given a resounding 'thumbs up' to Russet Homes joining the Circle Anglia group. This is the biggest step we have taken since the transfer of the housing stock from the Borough Council in 1991.

Below we have tried to give an idea of what joining the group will mean for Russet Homes and its tenants and we have also answered some of the questions that were asked during our consultation exercise with tenants and stakeholders.

What happens next?

Our shareholders need to agree to a change in our Rules to enable us to join the group. This will be done as part of our AGM on 23rd July and will clear the path to both Russet Homes and Invicta Telecare joining the Circle Anglia Group in the Autumn, subject to the approval of our regulator, the Housing Corporation, which is expected in October.

How will Russet Homes benefit from joining the Circle Anglia group?

We will be able to grow as a business and signficantly develop more homes - an increase initially from 50 homes a year to 200;

We will have the opportunity of new partnership working in how we maintain our properties;

We will be able to make cost savings when we buy in goods and services;

We will be able to increase our investment in communities and neighbourhoods;

We will be able to further improve our already well-performing services; and

We will be able to offer more options for people wanting to move home.

How we consulted...

We asked tenants and other stakeholders what they thought of the proposals through:

a leaflet delivered to every tenant household
consultation through FORUM
a dedicated help line number
our Consumer Panel and
residents' associations

.... and what people thought.

Overall we had 797 responses (12% of our total customer base). Of those who responded:

437 (55%) were in favour
290 (36%) were not in favour and
70 (9%) had no clear opinion.

We contacted people who felt they didn't have enough information to make a judgement either way to see if we could assist and to answer any issues that might be worrying them.

Positive comments...

Comments in favour of the proposals included:

acceptance that 'we had to go with the times'
recognition that we could set our sights that little bit higher though membership of the group
confidence in the Board's judgement that the proposals would be in the interests of the Association and its tenants.

... and answers to some frequently-raised questions.

While less than 4% of residents overall expressed an opinion against the proposal, we considered these very carefully and several important concerns became clear. These are summarised below with our response.

'If it isn't broken, don't mend it' or 'Bigger isn't necessarily better'

Retaining our independence within the Circle Anglia group will enable us to still focus on what we do best - high quality services, locally delivered. The additional resurces and expertise of being part of a larger group will enable us to build on our strengths. It will also enable us to export our expertise to other group members for the benefit of their tenants. Although Ruset Homes will grow as we build more homes, we will not become so large that we lose sight of our lcoal roots and the special relationship we enjoy with our tenants.

'Joining the Circle Anglia group will mean Russet will no longer be our landlord' or 'Our home will be sold and we will be asked to leave'.

Where we have been able to identify the few people that gave these as concerns, we have contacted them to give them a 100% reassurance this will not happen.

'It will mean an influx of outsiders'

How we allocate homes to homeseekers will not change - in conjunction with our local authority partners, local housing needs will remain our top priority.

'It will mean rents will increase more steeply'

Rent rises are controlled by the Government's rent setting structure. The levels of future increases are strictly controlled and are in accordance with our Guarantees to tenants. Joining the Circle Anglia group has no effect on our commitment to ensure local homes remain affordable and rises are kept as low as possible.

'It won't mean we get repairs done any quicker'

We are already in discussion with Circle Anglia about our plans to introduce a more efficient and responsive repairs service. This is certainly one area where our commitment to qualithy and a wealth of experience in the group to deliver new and better ways of providing this service will come together for the benefit of our customers.

For more information about the Circle Anglia group, visit their website: www.circleanglia.org/customers