HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2009 - BECOME A BOARD MEMBER AT CCHA!

Our Board is responsible for the governance of the Association and its overall strategic direction. We are currently looking to recruit new members to our Board particularly with financial skills, qualifications and business experience.

Is this for you?

Well it could be if:

• You believe people should have access to good quality, affordable housing
• You would like to make a positive difference to the neighbourhoods and communities in which we work
• You like the idea of an organisation that provides support to those who need help
• You have a firm commitment to excellent customer service and believe organisations should involve their customers in their work
• You would like to be associated with an organisation that has worked in Cardiff for over thirty years developing a wide variety of  new homes
• You would like to be part of a group of like-minded people who have a strong commitment to CCHA

Membership of our Board is a rewarding experience and is particularly suited to those who wish to give something back to the community. Housing association experience is not essential but an understanding of the importance of healthy communities and good housing is.

Who’s on The Board?

Our Board is made up of a wide range of people from different backgrounds and occupations. Everyone brings their own different life, educational and work experiences. Of our twelve Board members, four are tenants of CCHA – housing associations are pretty unique in having service users at the very centre of the decision-making process. The other eight are made up of a variety of people e.g.  accountants; people who work in housing, and local government; people with community interests; a town planner and a university lecturer.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all members of the community.

Board members spend around one evening per month on CCHA business – meetings start at six and finish by eight. All our Board members are volunteers with paid expenses. We provide training to help you make the most of the role and to familiarise you with the work of the Association. You will also have access to a variety of conferences, seminars and training courses to build upon your personal knowledge and expertise.

What is the role of a Board Member?

All Board members have statutory obligations to act in a lawful, ethical and justifiable manner. They must:

• Promote and support the Association’s work whenever the opportunity arises
• Play an active role in decision making, policy development and monitoring activities
• Demonstrate personal integrity, reliability and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Contribute, as part of the team, to the long term strategic development and shared vision of CCHA

What does the selection process involve?

You will first have to complete an application form. Once your application has been considered you may be invited along to an informal interview with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Association, as well as other Board members if appropriate. This will enable us to learn more about you, and you about us.

You could then be invited to attend up to three Board meetings before making a final decision.

For full details about what’s involved in becoming a Board member, please go to the Our Board section of our website or download the following documents:

• Board Members – Information Sheet
• Board members – Application Pack

Interested?

If you are interested in the current vacancy, please apply now by downloading the application form available via the above link.

If you would like to speak to someone informally before applying please contact:

Dawn Murphy
Administration Officer
Cardiff Community Housing Association
2 Ocean Way
Ocean Park
Cardiff
CF24 5TG

Direct Line: 029 2046 8466
E-mail: Dawn.Murphy@ccha.org.uk

Or our Chief Executive, Kevin Protheroe

Direct Line: 029 2046 8470
E-mail: Kevin.Protheroe@ccha.org.uk

NEW SCHEMES MARK END OF 2008

A flurry of new schemes signalled the end of 2008:

Monkstone Close, Rumney was completed in November 2009. These four new 3 bedroom family homes were let immediately and the families were in for Christmas. The demand from those in housing need for family accommodation at affordable rents is immense and so for these families a new home was a great Christmas present!

Moorhead Close, Lewis Road, Splott. This development of twenty new apartments for sale and rent was completed just days before Christmas.  The block consists of 15, one-bedroom apartments and 5 two-bedroom apartments.

Both schemes have been provided in partnership with Cardiff Council and are built to high modern standards of design and amenity.

LEICESTER TENANTS MAKE VISIT TO CCHA

After a successful trip to Leicester by CCHA’s Tenants’ Representative Council (TRC) and CCHA staff earlier this year, tenants and staff from Leicester HA visited CCHA and the TRC in November to continue to learn from each other about the services the housing associations provide to tenants and the arrangements for tenant participation. The packed two day visit included a talk on the history of CCHA and an overview of the varied services CCHA provide to its customers.

A tour of CCHA properties followed; including Holmview Court - a sheltered scheme in Rumney, the new housing, retail units and community centre currently under construction in Trowbridge; rounding off at Bayside Estate, Steffani Court and Galleon and Aquila apartments in Cardiff Bay. The group were very impressed by the range of properties, their management and their good condition - as well as CCHA's wide range of opportunities for customer involvement and community development.

The trip concluded with a walking tour of Cardiff Bay and a meeting at the Senydd with Lorraine Barrett, Welsh Assembly Member; Lorraine spoke about devolution in Wales and the role of the Welsh Assembly Government in housing in Wales. This was a highlight of the visit and thoroughly enjoyed by all! CCHA would like to thank Lorraine Barrett and all CCHA's Tenant Representatives who gave up their time to spend with Leicester HA's tenants and staff.

So much has been learnt and both associations are keen to continue the link, meeting periodically to exchange information and ideas.

CORPORATE PLAN 2008-11

Our Corporate Plan is now available in its printed form for your information via the Our Performance page – scroll down and follow the Corporate Plan 2008-11 link.

PRINCES'S TRUST - GET STARTED WITH FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

What’s it all about?
Get Started with Football is a free Prince’s Trust course aimed at young people aged 14-25.  The course will help build confidence, develop new skills and give young people the opportunity to work towards a FAW (Football Association Wales) Level 1 in Coaching.

The young people will receive tuition from Cardiff City’s Football in the Community Officer’s; get a free football kit and the opportunity to attend a Cardiff City Football match!

Following the course, all participants will be offered 3 months progression support in accessing further training, education or employment.
 

Where is it?
The course starts on Monday 26th January  2009 and finishes on Saturday 31st January 2009, at the home of Cardiff City Football Club, Ninian Park.
 

Criteria:
Candidates must be aged 14-25, who are not in education, employment or training.
 

Who do I contact / How do I get involved?
If you are interested in Get Started with Football and would like some more information, please contact:

Jane Davies at the Prince’s Trust Cymru on 02920 437 057 or 07943 864 557

NEXT UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2009