Salix Homes has mounted a major transformation programme designed to radically improve the services it provides to customers while delivering much needed efficiencies at a time of economic downturn and unprecedented demand.
In an innovative five year performance partnership, Salford City Council and Salix Homes have joined up with Northgate Public Services to deliver its key priorities, with the implementation of the Keystone Asset Management system and Northgate Integrated Housing solution, as part of Salix Homes’ wider ICT strategy. The partnership will focus on community regeneration and targeted neighbourhood strategies; transforming the ALMOs services through the adoption of best practice; and enhanced collaboration with local agencies.

The partnership will deliver substantial improvement through measures including:
• providing personalised and localised services for customers through improved community related information so that they are provided with the right information and appropriate services at the right time;
• a major overhaul in managing assets and repairs;
• raising employee morale by introducing new ways of flexible working and enhancing their skills and capabilities;
• introducing extended self service for customers who want it and home based consultancy for vulnerable customers and others who need it.
Rob Wakefield, Director of Finance and ICT said: “Salix Homes is determined to provide a fresh approach to the management of homes - one that is all about results. Our vision is to make the neighbourhoods in which we work the neighbourhoods of choice. Our task is to provide housing, regeneration and a broader range of value for money services that are built around our customers’ needs. Our performance partnership with Northgate is focused entirely on excellence and making a wider contribution to improving neighbourhoods.”
Joe Bradley, Managing Director of Citizen Services, Northgate Public Services added: “We are delighted to be working with Salix Homes. It is an organisation which is committed to change that advances the well being of some of the most vulnerable within its communities. We fully support its ambition to provide quality homes and services that make Salford’s neighbourhoods popular places to live and work. Now more than ever, social housing providers must invest to improve. They can play a vital role in building better neighbourhoods through delivering a wider range of enhanced services which place the citizen at their heart.”
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For more information
Fellows’ Associates:
Kathy Sutton +44 (0)20 7324 6221; +44 (0)7966 890401
Konstantinos Makrygiannis +44 (0)20 7324 6222; +44 (0)7949 421356

Notes to editors
1. Salix Homes Ltd is helping to deliver Salford City Council's five-year strategy to bring all council housing up to the Decent Homes Standard, a multi-million pound vision for the city. Salix Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and is a not-for-profit company responsible for the day-to-day management of 10,600 homes across Central Salford, Rainsough Brow and Beechfarm. It also assists the council in the operational delivery of the Housing Market Renewal Programme. It was formed in July 2007.

2. Salix Homes is determined to provide a fresh and energetic approach to the management of homes, one that is all about results. As well as housing management, its role covers housing renewal services. It plays a key role in working with Salford City Council on housing regeneration and renewal services for residents and local businesses across Central Salford. It also supports wider regeneration projects carried out by the council and other agencies. This makes sure that all its projects bring real benefits to the whole community and help create better neighbourhoods.

3. Northgate Public Services is an innovative provider of transformation and improvement services to the public sector. It is committed to high quality public services that place individuals and their communities at their heart. Its knowledge and understanding of people’s needs is core to its business, as too, is its depth and breadth across public services.

4. Northgate’s task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology; to understand why and what change is necessary; to provide new thinking leading to improved performance; and to link company rewards with positive outcomes for the communities for whom it works. It supports transformation through sustainable performance partnerships.

5. In the UK, Northgate works with 95% of local authorities, every police force, and a large number of health organisations, housing associations, utilities and transport companies. Founded in 1969, the company has nearly 8,000 employees.