What's happening...
From 1 April 2012, we will be running the two housing associations in the GreenSquare Group (Westlea and OCHA) as one ‘GreenSquare’. The launch of three new GreenSquare Communities Boards – Isis, Marden, and Avon – will happen then too. This will be supported by the launch of new Neighbourhood Teams of staff and a change to single branding as GreenSquare.
Click here to find out more about the Communities Boards.
How long has this been planned?
We first announced proposals to bring Westlea and OCHA together under the GreenSquare name early in 2011. Since
then we have talked to all those affected, including an extensive consultation programme with residents. You will have received two separate updates as the plans were discussed and developed during last year.
When did you get the go-ahead to change?
In December 2011 Westlea and OCHA shareholders all voted to support the plans to ‘amalgamate’ the two housing associations – bringing them together in one new organisation called GreenSquare Homes, or GreenSquare for short.
The business case for doing this has been approved by our Boards, and by the Tenant Services Authority – subject to us agreeing terms with our funders and financial partners. We now know that the full legal amalgamation will take longer as we continue these negotiations, but the changes explained here will still go ahead from 1 April 2012.
Will we have to sign new tenancy agreements?
No, your existing tenancy agreement with either Westlea or OCHA remains valid.
Will the changes affect my rent?
No, the Government sets the formulas for rents. There are currently significant differences between average rents in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire because of the rent setting mechanism that links property value and average earnings. This will remain in place until at least 2015 – and even then it is likely that rents will continue to reflect local markets.
Will the changes affect the services I get?
All the services residents receive will remain in place, but the launch of new area-based Communities Boards and Neighbourhood Teams will be able to deliver more locally. You are still able to visit the same housing association offices and can expect to see many of the same people, but you will notice that in most cases the Westlea or OCHA name and logo is replaced with a GreenSquare one on signs, uniforms, vehicles, and literature.
Why change the name?
We are going to use ‘GreenSquare’ as the trading name for Westlea and OCHA, so that we have the same name across the Group – in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. We have already been working under the GreenSquare banner since 2008, but think that using just this name from now on will be less confusing for residents and others we work with, and will help increase awareness and understanding of all we do across a wide geographical area.
Click here to find out more about the Communities Boards.
