From Sheffield tenant to Company Director

A Sheffield Homes' tenant has taken on the role of company director and is heading for the boardroom for the first time, following a resounding win in a citywide election.

 

David Goodison from Stocksbridge, took more than half the vote in Sheffield Homes' annual Board of Directors postal ballot. He now takes up his place along side six other tenant directors, which form the majority group on the Board - a deliberate move by Sheffield Homes to underpin its commitment to giving tenants an effective voice in decision making. Almost 16,500 ballot papers were returned - a turnout of 27%, considered relatively high for elections of this nature.

 

"I'd really like to thank everyone who voted for me," said David. "I was knocked out by the number of votes and I want to assure everyone I will work very hard for them. I live in sheltered accommodation and just felt it was important to have our voice represented on the Board. I feel - and I know Sheffield Homes feels too - that the tenants are the most important part of their business.

 

"I'm really looking forward to my first Board meeting. There's no real `issue' I'm concerned with, I just feel it's important to work for tenants within Sheffield Homes' policies and I don't think there's anymore or anything better you can do really."

 

The full Board consists of seven tenant directors, five independents and three council nominees. Two tenants and one independent seat were up for grabs this time round in line with an annual rotation system designed to encourage newcomers to get involved.

 

Yorkshire Forward chief, Neil Jenkinson, was re-elected as an independent while the other tenant seat was secured by retired builder Jack Foster from Arbourthorne. Jack was up for re-election having served on the Board for the past year and can now hold his seat for three years.

"I really enjoy it, so I'm very grateful to the people who saw fit to re-elect me," said Jack. "I've lived on this estate all my life and am just a normal tenant, but like to think I'm helping out in my own way. It's been a great experience because I quickly found you are treated as an effective voice on the Board, you're treated as an equal and your opinions are listened to. It's an excellent system and it works.

 

" I got involved because, as a former builder, I was keen to keep up with what's going on with the Decent Homes programme. There was a lot of initial unsettlement about all the building work being done round here and being on the Board has meant I can put forward my neighbours' concerns while reporting back to them with reassurances and information also.

 

"I'm hearing really good things about Decent Homes now as people both see work being completed and have a better understanding of what's going on."

 

 "We had a strong field of candidates and a high turnout," said Sheffield Homes' Chief Executive, Peter Morton. "This is a clear sign that tenants and other local people feel that Sheffield Homes is an organisation that they want to be involved in. One of our core values is that we deliver services to the community with pride, passion and professionalism. The input of our governors, who give up their time voluntarily to join our Boards, is vital if we are to live up to this value."

 

Sheffield Homes has been committed to giving its tenants a real say in the running of its service, since its inception around two years ago. As well as standing for the main board, tenants are encouraged to stand for its Local Area Boards or get involved via its host of tenant groups and forums.

 

 

Press contact: Neil Anderson on 01142 257080 (office).