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KeelmanHomesBusiness Plan2017-21Building a better Gateshead

Foreword - Chair of the BoardI am very proud to launch the first KeelmanHomes Business Plan and share the successeswe have achieved to date. This is an excitingstep in cementing the company’s ambitions andaspirations for the future.There are obviously a lot of uncertainties at the moment within the national and global economies whichmay well impact on our ability to achieve significant development in the near future. However, when all ofthe implications of ‘Brexit’ and economic downturn are better understood we intend to be fully prepared tobe able to react to new opportunities. This plan therefore takes account of the external political environmentat national and local level, which directly impacts on our organisation and our ultimate aim of providingaffordable housing for rent and sets out how we intend to develop new homes over the next five years andcontinue to grow the company to improve services for residents.In addition, the changes brought about within the Housing and Planning Act 2016, Welfare Reform, end oflifetime tenancies, and Pay to Stay all bring new challenges for us and for our residents. We need to carefullyconsider the impact of these and review how we operate.Overall the housing sector is facing challenging times but this also brings with it exciting opportunities to beresponsive, innovative and flexible. We have an experienced and committed Board and staff team who aredetermined to help create strong, vibrant and sustainable communities. Responding to the challenges andopportunities of the future, we will strive to offer great services for all. I am confident that the objectives wehave set ourselves and the means by which they will be achieved will strengthen and sustain the companyfor the years ahead.I look forward to continuing work with our dedicated employees, board trustees and partner organisationsto bring about Keelman Homes’ vision by tackling these challenging times head on with courage andcreativity, to make a lasting, positive difference in our communities.Brian KellyChair of the Board2

Who we areKeelman Homes Limited is a not-for-profitThe company prides itself on collaborative workingRegistered Provider based in the borough ofwith others; in particular continuing the strategicGateshead, in the North East of England. Ourpartnership with GC, TGHC and the HCA has beenwork focuses on the build of new homes and theintegral to the success of Keelman Homes’ housingsubsequent management of these homes oncedevelopments, along with partnerships with housethey have been let.builders and other stakeholders.The company was initially set up as a whollyIn order to effectively manage its housing stock,owned charitable subsidiary of The GatesheadKeelman Homes procures housing managementHousing Company (TGHC) in 2009 to developservices from TGHC; this successful partnershipnearly 150 new homes for rent, sale and sharedarrangement of many years was extended atownership in Kibblesworth, South Gateshead. Thisthe end of 2015. In this mutually beneficialwas completed in partnership with Gatesheadarrangement, key objectives are consistently metCouncil (GC), The Homes and Communitiesand the partnership between Keelman Homes andAgency (HCA) and Keepmoat Homes.TGHC demonstrates innovation, value for moneyand productive close-working relationships at theirThe company ownership was changed in 2014very best.with the current Trustees becoming Members ofKeelman Homes (in effect owning the company),The company’s own dedicated staff team co-and having ultimate responsibility for the successlocates with TGHC and GC in their centralof the company. Since then Keelman Homes hasGateshead offices.successfully attracted grant funding and otherdevelopment finance to deliver new qualityaffordable housing throughout Gateshead.www.keelmanhomes.org3

The BoardOur Trustees are a group of committed andThe Council and TGHC Trustees have skills inexperienced professionals, including anrelation to the management of social housingindependent Chair and local Councillors, and areand performance management; we have alsoappointed in line with the company’s Articles ofensured that the Ordinary Trustees have a goodAssociation. The Trustees consist of at least fourmix of skills in relation to housing management,and not more than seven individuals, comprisingcommunications and tenant involvement. Targetedone individual nominated by TGHC in accordancerecruitment of members is considered whenwith article 4.3.2, two individuals nominated byvacancies arise, to ensure the appropriate skills,the Council in accordance with article 4.3.3 andknowledge and commitment continues to befour individuals appointed or elected in accordancecaptured on the Board.with article 4.3.4 (known as Ordinary Trustees).The Managing Director of TGHC is also theOur core business focuses on the build of newCompany Secretary for Keelman Homes, and leadshomes and the subsequent management ofon the overall strategic direction and governancethese homes once they have been let. To ensurearrangements of Keelman Homes.appropriate governance of this activity, a mixof Trustees with appropriate skill sets makes upThe Board meets bi-monthly; meeting dates,Keelman Homes’ Board.papers and minutes can be found on the KeelmanHomes Limited website.4

Brian Kelly –Linda Hitman –Board Chair of Keelman HomesBoard memberBrian was Head of Housing Servicesat Gateshead Council until retirementin 2004. He has since served on anumber of Housing Association Boardsand is now Vice-chair of Governors ata Primary School in Ryton, having beenChair for ten years.Has worked with local authorities andgovernment bodies, including urbanregeneration. Linda is a member of theWomen’s Advisory Board (NECC) andthe Lord and Lady Taverners Council.Joanne Carr –Ronny Harris -Board memberBoard memberA former Director of BusinessDevelopment at National EnergyAction. She has extensive knowledgeof energy-efficiency matters and hasbeen a member of The GatesheadHousing Company’s Board since 2010.Has 35 years’ experience with localauthorities and housing associations.Before her retirement in 2015 Ronnywas Assistant Chief Executive at Coast& Country association, where she wasresponsible for developing new homes.Anne Connolly –Liz Twist -Board memberBoard MemberStarted her housing career atGateshead Council and has over30 years’ experience in housingmanagement, regeneration andstrategy. She currently works fora local ALMO and has been onKeelman’s Board since 2009.Gateshead’s Cabinet Member forHousing and member of KeelmanHomes Board since 2016.Paul Foy –Jon Mallen-Beadle -Board memberCompany SecretaryBoard Chair of The GatesheadHousing Company and a town andlocal councillor in Birtley since 1992.He works as an Office Manager fora local MP and also has 15 years’previous experience as a housingprofessional.Jon has worked for The GatesheadHousing Company since October2006, joining the company fromTristar Homes. He has been ManagingDirector of The Gateshead HousingCompany since December 2012.www.keelmanhomes.org5

Staff TeamThe Development and Investment Manager has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of theorganisation, managing operational and strategic risks, the formulation and implementation of its businessplan and ensuring strategic objectives are met. This role is supported by the New Build Manager andthe Finance Manager. These three roles are filled by TGHC employees who are seconded to and fundedby Keelman Homes. Recruitment of the team has focused on securing employees with the appropriateapproach, skills, experience and knowledge to contribute to Keelman Homes’ aims and objectives, and tocontinue to grow the organisation.Management Team meetings are held monthly and include representation from TGHC’s CorporateManagement Team, as the managing agent for Keelman Homes’ housing stock and an integral serviceprovider to the company.Amanda Gallagher – Development and Investment ManagerWith over 15 years of experience in the housing development and regeneration field, Amanda has strongproject-management skills and significant experience working in a construction and technical environment, withqualifications including MSc Urban Policy and Regeneration, MA Town and Country Planning, and Level 3 Awardin Leadership and Management. Beginning her housing career in local government, she has been instrumentalin the successful delivery of many major housing-led regeneration sites including award-winning projects andsmaller housing developments throughout Teesside, working with a range of private house builders and HousingAssociations before joining the company in June 2015.Jim Charlton – New Build ManagerJim started his career with Gateshead Council in 1982 as a craft apprentice and has subsequently gained over 30years of experience in the construction industry. He has held several key management roles both with GatesheadCouncil and The Gateshead Housing Company including Senior Building Surveyor, Procurement Manager, andContract Administrator. Jim has been integral to the successful delivery of quality housing provision and otherhousing investment within Gateshead, including the award-winning Kibblesworth Village housing regenerationscheme and several other developments throughout his career, in partnership with private house builders andother delivery partners. Jim also holds qualifications including BSc (Hons) Construction Management, ProfessionalChartered Membership of the CIOB, and a Diploma in Home Inspection.Kelly Davis – Finance ManagerJoining Keelman Homes in March 2015, Kelly brings with her eight years of finance experience in housing, bothpublic and private sector. Kelly qualified as an accountant in April 2012 and is fully CIMA qualified. With a focuson value for money Kelly provides effective financial monitoring and control, and has successfully deliveredprocess efficiencies and financial savings throughout her career, working effectively with a broad range ofoperational and management teams.6

Our AchievementsThis section showcases the company’s successes and achievements up to December 2016.Kibblesworth regenerationDuring 2013 Keelman Homes completed the redevelopment of the Kibblesworth estate in partnership withGateshead Council, The Gateshead Housing Company, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) andKeepmoat Homes, successfully creating 150 new homes for sale, shared ownership and rent. Out of theseKeelman Homes offered 81 homes for rent and 13 homes for shared ownership. The final shared ownershipsales were completed in November 2014 and the development also included art and play schemes acrossthe estate.Since then, Keelman Homes has continued to develop new properties across Gateshead, delivering a further43 new affordable homes for rent plus six homes for open-market sale.These include:Nugent Row, FellingThe former Felling Library site inthe heart of Felling, Gateshead wasredeveloped to provide six modernthree-bedroom family houses.The development was delivered inpartnership with Esh Property Servicesand their secured developer grant of 120,000 through HCA’s AffordableHomes Programme 2011-15. Additionalgrant was secured from the Tyne andWear Fire and Rescue Service, who fullyfunded the installation of sprinklers inall the properties. Homes were completed and let in December 2014 at an affordable rent set at 80% belowmarket rent value.The scheme has been named after the former Mayor and local Councillor Steve Nugent who represented theFelling Ward from 1974 to 1992.www.keelmanhomes.org7

Strathmore Road, Carr HillIn 2002 two structurally defectiveproperties were demolished and thesite stood empty for a number ofyears, becoming subject to anti-socialbehaviour. Keelman Homes worked withEsh Property Services to improve thearea and build two new four-bedroomproperties on oods in which we work.14