During the summer months, GGH carried out a general customer survey of a 25% sample of our tenants.  2,185 surveys were sent out and 1,132 responses were received.  This equates to a 52% response rate.   The surveys have been analysed, so click here for the results...

Do you pay your GGH charges at Woolworths? Because of the recent financial uncertainty at Woolworths, the stores are currently not accepting bill payments in their stores.   Allpay are working closely with Woolworths and their administrators and will notify us of any changes to this situation.In the mean time, customers wishing to pay over-the-counter can continue to use the extensive Post Office and PayPoint networks. For a list of all available outlets visit the website http://www.allpay.net/outlets

GGH has been successful in providing employment opportunities for 12 long term unemployed people. Working in partnership with Warrington Borough Council, Jobcentre Plus and the Warrington Disability Partnership a ‘jobs pledge’ aimed at developing job opportunities for local people was signed by Jobcentre Plus and GGH.    The partnership developed an advertisement campaign and pre-recruitment training course which resulted in over 100 applications being received.  16 applicants completed the pre-recruitment training course resulting in 12 people being offered employment with GGH. Angela Perry, Director of Property Services for GGH commented: “Local Employment Partnerships have been a great experience for GGH the calibre and enthusiasm of the applicants has been excellent.”

Thanks to GGH and WBC over 80 people enjoyed a 3 course traditional Christmas dinner at Whitecross Community Centre. The event was funded by a donation from GGH and organised by WBC employees and local Councillors.  Pictured is GGH Chief Executive, Peter Mercer helping out with the soup.  After the meal all the attendees received energy saving light bulbs courtesy of GGH.  As you can see from the pictures a fun time was had by all!!

Warrington Borough Council have informed GGH that Bewsey Community Park Centre will be closed on Thursday 11 December 2008 due to a problem with the drains.  Work will be carried out to rectify the problem as soon as possible.  Further information will be posted here as and when it becomes available.

GGH will close for the Christmas holidays from 4pm on Wednesday 24 December 2008 until 8am Monday 5 January 2009.  During this time only urgent repair and anti-social behaviour issues will be dealt with by our out of hour’s service. For full information see page 3 of your winter edition of News & Views or click here.

allpayments.text gives you the flexibility to pay your rent charges using your mobile phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   To begin securely texting rent payments, you simply need a UK registered mobile phone, a valid allpay.net swipecard and a current debit or credit card. After a brief online registration (just go to www.allpayments.net) you can then pay your bills on the move anytime, anyplace, anywhere.   Once registered, to make a payment, simply text "Pay" along with the registered text code "Rent" and the amount you wish to pay followed by the text password which is the last four digits of your debit or credit card. It’s that simple!!

TENANTS have taken the lead in shaping the future of council housing and have put their recommendations forward to the council.   The Housing Options Panel, created to lead a review of council’s housing stock, has recommended to the council that the stock should be transferred to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) and for Golden Gates Housing (GGH) to become the RSL to run it.  Click here for the full presss release.

On the 27 August we held our first GGH Celebration Day at Bewsey Community Park Centre.  Along with lots of other events we distributed the 2008 Community & Junior Community Awards. The awards were sponsored by Jewson and were presented by Peter Mercer (GGH, Chief Executive) and Royston Willard (GGH, Chairperson of the Board).  Click here to see the winners.

Way back in 2004, GGH was set up to make sure all council properties in Warrington were made 'decent'. We wanted to do this quickly to make sure people did not have to wait too long.  We committed to a March 2008 deadline - 2 years sooner than the national deadline...more

YOUR VIEWS COUNT!! At the beginning of August GGH sent out a Customer Survey to 25% of our tenants.  So far we have received over 1100 surveys....but we still need more.  The survey is aimed at gathering the views of our tenants which will help GGH to improve services where needed.  With all the information gathered GGH can then devote resources to improve the quality of services that GGH deliver. If you have received a survey please fill it in and return it.  The final deadlinefor returns is Friday 10 October  Remember, all surveys returned will be placed into a prize draw where you stand a chance to win up to £150.

Every 2 years Golden Gates Housing has to send out a survey to its tenants in order to test satisfaction with its services.  The survey is also aimed at determining any problem areas that exist with the services you receive, your neighbourhood or your home that you may be experiencing.  Once we have all the results GGH will aim to tackle the problem areas that have been identified and to improve the quality of life for all of our tenants.  This year only a 25% sample of tenants have been surveyed so it is important that you fill it in and return it as soon as possible.  If you have any problems filling in the survey please contact us on 0800 25 26 27.

GGH are pleased to announce that our payment service provider AllPay have joined forces with high street favourite Woolworths, making it even easier for you to pay your GGH charges.   From April 2008, simply hand over your AllPay swipe card sent to you by GGH, together with your payment in cash or with a debit card, at any till in any of the 820+ UK Woolworth's stores.   For a list of all outlets including Woolworths stores, post offices, payzone and paypoint outlets visit the website http://www.allpay.net/outlets

All GGH’s customers are welcome to attend GGH’s Fourth AGM on Wednesday 24 September at 5pm in the Town Hall on Sankey Street.  The company’s annual report will be presented to the shareholder, Warrington Borough Council.    There will be the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about GGH’s work. For further information about the AGM please contact Alison Foy on 0800 25 26 27 or alison.foy@goldengateshousing.org.uk

Housing Options Tenants Conference Thursday 18 September 2008 10am-2.30pm The Gateway, Sankey Street Come along to this FREE event and find out about the possible options for the future management of your homes...Make your voices heard!!  The conference will also include: Lunch & refreshments Free EE lightbulbs Free prize draws...vouchers, freeview boxes, DVD player Out of pocket expenses for all attendees To book you free place contact Helen Catterson or Vikki Jones free on 0800 952 9942.  Please note this conference is for GGH tenants and leaseholders only.  Click here to download the flyer.

GGH is having a celebration day on Wednesday 27 August 2008.  This fun event will be an opportunity to come along and meet staff from GGH and many other agencies; we are planning to make it an enjoyable day for all the family..more

Housing Options Tenants Conference Friday 18 July 2008 10am-3.30pm The Gateway (Conference Space), Sankey Street The council would like you to attend to find out more about the housing options appraisal and the results from the recent stock condition surveys.  You will also receive: Out of pocket expenses Refreshments & lunch To book your FREE place please email Helen Catterson or Vikki Jones or call free on 0800 952 9942.  Please note this event is for GGH tenants & leaseholders only.

Unison have notified us of a national two-day strike by their members on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July, following a recent ballot.  Although this is a national issue, there will be local implications on the day.  There may be disruption to services, however, every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.  Local housing offices and GGD will be open as usual.

GGH has an Environment Committee with a budget for spending on environmental improvements in areas where GGH manages homes. The Committee gives priority to work which supports GGH’s and the Council’s strategic priorities, targeting resources where need is greatest. Like previous years, the Committee are inviting bids from customers.  In 2008 – 2009 there will only be one bidding round and the closing date for this is Monday 30 June 2008 at 5pm. Bids are invited from customers that will improve the security, appearance and sustainability of neighbourhoods.  These bids may come from any part of the borough.    Click HERE to view the publicity poster.  You can obtain a full application pack by clicking HERE or contact GGD on 0800 25 26 27.

GGH makes is keen to keep your estates clean and tidy.  Click the links below for the new Estate Inspection and Clean Up Day schedules... Estate Inspections April - September 2008 Clean Up Days April 2008 - March 2009

Charter Mark/Customer Service Excellence Charter Mark is an externally assessed award for excellent customer service.  GGH have been Charter Mark holders for over 6 years.  The Charter Mark award was recently revised by the Cabinet Office and re-branded as Customer Service Excellence (CSE).    GGH have now been assessed against the new standard in March/April 2008 and are pleased to report that we have been successful in gaining accreditation.  GGH is now one of the first to successfully be awarded the new certification.  Should you require any further information, please contact Fiona Graham on 01925 452417 or fiona.graham@goldengateshousing.org.uk

Time has come for us to review our Tenant Participation Strategy.  The Strategy is our vision for customer involvement and participation in influencing, developing and delivering the housing services.   Click here for more information on how you can give your views on the new Strategy - let us know what you think on how we should involve YOU!!

GGH will have 2 vacancies for board members which we are looking to induct this summer.  There is one vacancy for a tenant board member and one vacancy for a leaseholder board member.  These are important roles in shaping the future of the company and services that are provided to you.  If you or anyone you know is interested please click HERE for more information.

Download the flyer to find out about all the free activities for both boys and girls aged 9-11......activities include: film making rugby, football coaching badminton weights swimming fun games www.fitkidzwarrington.com

Legionella are bacteria that are common in rivers and lakes and artificial water systems such as storage tanks, pipework, taps and showers. Most people usually associate legionella with larger water systems, e.g. in factories, hotels, hospitals etc, but they can also live in the water supply systems used in your home.  Click here to find out more about: What is Legionnaires disease? What can you do to reduce the risk? What is GGH doing?

The Met Office has issued a weather warning of severe gales in the North West.  They are advising that the most damaging winds will happen between 3am and 10am tomorrow (12/3/08), they are predicting winds as high as 85 mph at Crosby Met Station (North of Liverpool).  During this time, GGH are anticipating that there may be an increased demand on emergency services.  Emergencies can be reported in the usual way on freephone 0800 25 26 27 but please be patient if there is some delay in responding to your enquiry.  We will endeavour to assist you as soon as we can.

Whatever it takes...its happening in Dallam & Bewsey 11 - 15 February 2008 The event is a week of free fun for the residents inluding: Home safety checks carried out by the fire service Fun for all ages - games from across the world with WECA Taster sessions with Mobile Food Network & Health teams Environmental Days - clean up & recycle with Phil Chadwick Get moving, get creating, get stuck in!  Its on your doorstep so join in the fund and find out more in the local Guardian, leaflets from schools or ring 815468.  More!

GGH Board Member, Bob Barr has been awarded an OBE for services to Geography in the 2008 New Year Honours List.  Bob joined GGH’s Board in July 2006 and is the Managing Director of Manchester Geomatics which works with the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders in the northwest and is also a co-opted member of the Board of Helena Housing.  GGH would like to pass on our congratulations to Bob!

Powerleague is looking for players and teams (boys under 16 and girls under 18) to play against teams across the UK.   Click here to download the poster for full details.  The team must be registered before 25 January in order to play.

GGH’s subscription to the ISO 9001 Quality Management system has expired.   GGH has made the decision not to renew its membership with SGS United Kingdom Ltd for the ISO 9001 award.  We realise that a lot of GGH’s publications and documents such as the Tenant Handbook and leaflets display the ISO 9001 logo.  We are currently looking into removing the logo from all of our documents though this may be a lengthy process as future reprints of leaflets and handbooks will have to be altered to exclude the logo.  Until we are able to make the necessary adjustments to our documentation we ask that you do not affiliate GGH with the ISO 9001 award or SGS United Kingdom Ltd.