Housing boss shares co-op plans with prime minister

ROCHDALE’S top housing boss told the Prime Minister about the borough’s co-operative approach to social housing at a Downing Street summit.

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, attended a discussion on social enterprise, hosted by Theresa May.

He was one of 12 people invited to the event which was held to discuss how the government and social enterprises can work together to deliver social value, and how to enable social enterprises to make a greater contribution across society.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, and senior civil servants from Number 10 and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport were also in attendance.

The meeting was arranged by Lord John Bird, founder of the Big Issue.

Gareth said: “As the lead speaker on housing, I was pleased to have the opportunity to highlight RBH ownership model as a co-owned mutual housing society, and to explain how our tenant and employee members shape our approach and priorities. We proud to be focused solely on the towns and villages of Rochdale borough, building strong local partnerships to deliver social value alongside organisations that share our values.

“We know that accountability and tenant voice are key aspects being looked at as part of the Government’s Housing Green Paper process, and we’re keen to share what we’ve learned from our five years as a mutual society.

“I also highlighted our role in the creation of Circle (Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale) to address social isolation, and ongoing work, supported by DCMS grant funding, to explore a potential partnership model with an established social enterprise care provider.”

Following the meeting, Gareth will write to the Prime Minister to expand on the points he made.