Chair's Blog - November 2024

I’d like to share some key highlights from our recent Community Gateway Association (CGA) Board meeting in November.

These meetings are an essential part of how we review progress, address challenges, and plan for the future. Twice a year, the Board sets aside time to focus on future activities and this meeting combined that planning with our usual Board agenda.

As you might imagine, there are many significant risks in the housing sector, and managing these risks often brings substantial financial pressures. CGA gathers most of its income from rent collections, but if costs of supplies and services increases the income can't just be increased at any time. This requires the Board to carefully prioritise which services to deliver within the available budget.

Therefore, at the meeting, the Board reviewed and considered our future financial plans. This ensures that critical services, like responsive repairs, alongside the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes continue to be delivered even during financially challenging times. All decisions are made with great care to uphold the objectives set out in our new Corporate Plan, approved earlier this year.

In addition to financial planning, the Board also approved a new set of Customer Service Commitments. These were developed through extensive consultation and clearly set out what tenants can expect when accessing our services. These commitments will help us to deliver one of our core corporate priorities: providing great customer service.

Looking to the future, we’re also looking at Board succession plans, which includes the opportunity for a Tenant Board Member. If you feel you have the skills, insights, and time to contribute to CGA’s decision-making and governance, this opportunity could be for you. For more information or an informal chat about the role, contact Sharon Robertson, Governance Co-Ordinator, on 0800 953 0213 (option 6). 

Finally, as this is my last blog of the year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported CGA throughout 2024. Your contributions, big or small, help us grow, improve, and serve our community better. I wish you a joyful festive season and a happy, healthy start to 2025.