Rochdale Boroughwide Housing elect new board officials

Date published: 02/10/2006

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the organisation that manages and maintains Rochdale Council's 14,500 houses, has a new Chairwoman and Vice Chairman. 

Tenant Board Member Gill Walch, who lives on the Syke estate, was elected Chairwoman of RBH's Board following its Annual General Meeting. Gill takes over from Frank Blackburn who has stepped down from the Board after four and a half years. Independent Board Member, Des Morris, who is Operations Director for Babcock Support Services Ltd, was Head of Housing Management Services for Leeds City Council and who lives in Norden, was elected Vice Chairman.  He takes over from Brotherod tenant Derek Brown who will continue to serve on the Board.

Speaking following her election Gill said: "I am delighted to have been elected Chairwoman and I am keen to steer RBH forward over the next 12 months.  The Council has recently agreed to extend RBH's Management Agreement for a further five years and I will be working closely with the Council to make sure that through working in partnership we are able to deliver more service improvements for tenants.  My particular focus will be on drawing up plans for a five year programme of environmental improvements and making sure that all the services we are responsible for are excellent value for money."

Outgoing Chairman Frank Blackburn reflected on the progress that RBH had made over the last few years.  He said: "RBH has come a long way in the last four and a half years but still has a lot to do.  The Board has an excellent base on which to build for the future and I am confident that Gill and Des have all the attributes needed to deliver."