Housing Trust is one year old

WARRINGTON’S Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) celebrated its first anniversary with a new service and a review of its successes.
Chief executive Peter Mercer launched the trust’s new digital television and Smartphone site to kick start the day. He then visited a tenant who had a new bathroom installed as part of its capital investment Programme.
GGHT launched last year following a successful ballot in which 91.9 per cent of tenants voted in favour of transfer from Warrington Borough Council.
Since then the trust has started work on a massive investment programme and plans to spend £105 million over five years, improving homes and neighbourhoods to “the Warrington Standard”.
Work in the first year includes fitting new energy efficient doors and windows to 1,420 properties, installing 223 new kitchens, 136 new bathrooms and completing fencing at 124 of their properties. New energy efficient boilers, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and solar panels have also been installed.
The trust has cleared its backlog of Aids and Adaptations and has recruited two new handypersons to help improve homes. It has also worked to tackle anti-social behaviour.
On transfer the trust made a commitment to support local employment and in the first 12 months has filled 26 jobs with local people, including the recruitment of 10 apprentices to work in all areas of the business.
Mr Mercer said: “It is hard to believe that it is only 12 months since we launched as GGHT. We recognise that there is still plenty of work to be done as we aim to improve our neighbourhoods but I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time. I am looking forward to building on our successes and achievements over the next 12 months.”
Pictured: Members of Golden Gates Housing Trust celebrate its first birthday.