Oldham’s Co-operative Housing Offer - Launch Event 8 th April 2014

Welcome Councillor Jim McMahon Leader of Oldham Council

Our vision Oldham’s Co-operative Council Role of partners Role of residents A Co-operative Borough

Existing partnership approach Excellent partnership working in place and many achievements around: Developing new homes Making best use of existing homes Addressing fuel poverty Preventing homelessness Improving neighbourhoods Partners already contributing to co- operative working, but highlighted need to do more….

The Oldham Co-operative Journey Councillor Jean Stretton Cabinet member for Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods

Why the work of OHIP is important to me? My role as Cabinet Member My role as elected member for Hollinwood Limehurst Village Neighbourhood Co-operative Agreement Housing is central to everything First LA in GM to run Mortgage Scheme OHIP has raised the bar A template for others to follow

“Everybody who works and lives in Oldham has a stake in what happens here and everyone does their bit – big or small – for the benefit of everyone in Oldham. Our aim as a Commission is to drive the co-operative value out of everything that is happening in the borough”

The Co-operative Commission: Our Partners

Co-operative Impact: The Journey so Far 8,700 Oldham residents benefit from the largest Energy Switching Campaign nationally, saving an average of £171 per household Over 1,500 homes in St Mary’s will benefit from energy efficiency improvements to properties under the Your Home….Your Life initiative £40,000 is awarded to community and voluntary organisations for projects that make a co-operative difference including a cancer support service and a work club under the Oldham Co-operative Fund Oldham commits to improve the lives of its serving and ex serving armed forces through the signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant Young people aged get the chance to build their financial knowledge, skills and confidence through the launch of the Barclays Money Skills Champions Street Angel volunteers work in partnership to deliver a safer night out for revellers Council employees commit 10,000 volunteer hours to do their bit for Oldham

The Co-op Commission ‘Building Community Resilience’ Innovate and Lead Projects Recognise and Reward Lobby and Campaign Scrutinise Challenge and Add Value Love Where You Live Fairs Fare Poverty Action Armed Forces Covenant Accred -itation ‘Call In’ Service/ Partner Awards Co-op Oldham Fund CSR and Social Value Accredi tation Promote Charter and Values Oldham Pioneers Volunte -ering Co-operative Commission Work Areas

In the next 6 months… Work with other partnerships, partners and bodies to explore where they can make a co-operative difference. OHIP did it: - you can too! Help communities help themselves through the Co-operative Oldham Fund Lead and develop the Armed Forces Community Covenant including applying for national funding Hold a Co-operative Fair and get further Charter sign up Lead and contribute to innovative campaigns that will make a tangible co-operative difference including Get Oldham Growing, Fair Deal campaigns and Poverty Action Explore the area of Social Value and Corporate Social Responsibility

Oldham’s Co-operative Housing Offer Dave Smith Chair of OHIP John Rooney Oldham Council

OHIP’s commitment to Co-operative Borough Issues With reduced resources, need to manage demand Re-focus on activity that allows residents to better help themselves Need to change expectations – ‘something for something’ approach & influence behaviour Particular issue is demand for social housing Refusal rate on first offers on social homes over 45% Focus on behaviour change better for customers & partners

Oldham’s Co-operative Housing Offer Offer between Council and Oldham Housing Investment Partnership o Focus on people rather than projects o Existing, planned & potential co-operative action on 6 themes Just some examples of activity

1. Residents can afford to heat their homes Oldham has led a number of GM campaigns to help residents find cheaper energy tariffs Warm Homes Oldham – First scheme to lift 1,000 people out of fuel poverty Changing behaviour – better use of heating systems

2. Residents manage their financial affairs Helping residents manage their income o Putting money aside through ‘jam jar’ accounts o Saving through the Credit Union Looking at role of resident neighbourhood champions to help others with debt advice

3. Residents do their bit and share resources Currently housing providers help around 25 job clubs across the borough. This year seeking minimum standards – being clear on expectations Community Environmental Awards (e.g. Respect Our Community Awards) Community growing schemes etc

4. Residents do their bit for their neighbourhood Neighbourhood Agreements o Reinforcing expectations o Respecting home & neighbourhoods

5. Access to appropriate quality private housing Supporting Self /Custom Build housing – working with associations/ individuals ‘Lets help you’ – free self service website to access private rented homes including advice on what you can afford Oldham Mortgage Scheme in partnership with Lloyds for 1 st time buyers

6. Access to appropriate quality social housing ‘WorkingXtra’ policy promotion to support ‘community contribution’ Reduction on social housing ‘reasonable offers’ from 3 to 1

Next steps Demonstrate clear future commitment from OHIP to Co-operative Borough Review annually with Business Plan

23 Any questions?

Thanks and close Councillor Dave Hibbert - Cabinet member for Environment and Housing

Oldham’s Co-operative Housing Offer Launch Event 8 th April 2014 The document is available to download from: Or