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New partnership launches ‘White Rose’ Home Improvement Agency
13 March
Two neighbouring councils are merging their existing ‘in house’
home improvement agencies.
The newly formed ‘White Rose’ Home Improvement Agency will
provide services to older, vulnerable and disabled people across
the borough of Scarborough and Ryedale district.
The main areas of work provided by the agency will include;
major adaptations such as stair lifts, showers and ramps,
handyperson services, including minor adaptations, repairs and home
safety work and ‘well being’ services including home visits giving
a vast array of practical advice and providing information and
access to other local services.
Councillor Bill Chatt, the Scarborough Cabinet Member with
responsibility for housing, property maintenance, public health and
sustainability said:
“The merger is a very positive step forward for the residents of
both areas. We aim to help safeguard the future of these services
which are critical for our older, disabled and vulnerable
residents.”
Councillor Linda Cowling, Chairman of Ryedale’s Commissioning
Board, has also welcomed the initiative:
”This move will maintain the excellent performance and value of
the service that has been provided by Ryedale District Council
while broadening the support that can be provided to local people
in housing need.”
Home Improvement Agency Manager, Lynn Williams, added:
“By pooling our resources and expertise in this way we can
really add value to all aspects of our work, enabling us to sustain
and further develop our services to benefit the residents of both
local authority areas.”
Established in 2001, the Scarborough Borough Home Improvement
Agency has delivered more than £7 million worth of major
adaptations to the residents of within the borough of Scarborough.
It has also provided handyperson services to many of the residents
of the borough over recent years, through its partnership with Age
UK and more recently residents have benefited from the introduction
of the agency’s ‘well being’ service.
Although, a slightly smaller agency, Ryedale District Council’s
Home Improvement Agency also has vast experience and knowledge in
the delivery of these types of services to older, disabled and
vulnerable people. Ryedale District Council is one of few
local authorities in North Yorkshire that continue to invest its
capital funding in improving housing conditions for vulnerable
local people occupying private sector housing. Each year
hundreds of vulnerable households are helped to overcome to housing
problems, such as adaptations to cope with a health condition.
If you would like any further information about the new agency
and the services it can offer, contact 01723 232527.