Colchester Borough Homes celebrates successful year at AGM

Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) celebrated a successful year at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the University of Essex’s Innovation Centre, on 26 September.

Attendees included tenants and leaseholders, alongside members of the CBH Board and Executive team.

Attendees received a presentation on what CBH had achieved in 2023/24, its 20th anniversary year, as well as a forward look to 2024/25.

Despite challenges such as rising costs, resource shortages, and ongoing housing demand, CBH recorded a 68% customer satisfaction score, completed 82.7% of repairs within timescale, secured over £238,000 of welfare benefits for tenants and prevented homelessness 336 times. Additionally, CBH made significant investments in housing quality by installing 246 new kitchens, 101 replacement boilers, and 55new bathrooms.

The Tenant Satisfaction Measures, now mandated under new consumer regulations, were reviewed. These metrics provide transparency into landlord performance and accountability. CBH’s annual tenant survey revealed increased resident involvement, with 96 residents contributing over 324 hours to service improvements.

As part of the AGM, the winners of CBH’s Good Neighbour Awards, which celebrate those who go the extra mile for their community, were also announced.

CBH Board Chair, Esme Cole, said: “Our AGM attests to the important work that our staff have done to ensure that we continue to prioritise our tenants and our communities. This year had its challenges, including keeping up with rising tenant demands and improving service response times. However, our focus remains on enhancing customer satisfaction, providing value for money services, and fostering positive community outcomes.”

CBH Chief Executive, Philip Sullivan, added: “I’m delighted to report that CBH has had another successful year despite external challenges. Our staff have worked tirelessly to improve services, from boosting tenant engagement to making substantial housing investments. We are proud of our accomplishments and grateful to the tenants and leaseholders whose contributions help us continually evolve.”

Colchester City Council cabinet member for Housing, Cllr Paul Smith, said:
“CBH is a critical asset to Colchester, and it’s great to see another year of success. Their dedication to housing investment, as well as their drive to improve tenant satisfaction despite ongoing pressures such as the cost-of-living crisis and the concerning rise in demand for temporary accommodation, is truly commendable. I’m confident that CBH will remain a vital force in ensuring high-quality housing for the city’s residents.”