North West RSLs consult over merger plans

Two North West housing providers are consulting tenants over proposed merger plans, which will, the two organisations say, lead to improved customer services.

Residents of Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) and Cosmopolitan Housing Group in Liverpool are being consulted to see if they back proposals to merge the two social landlords. Such a merger would result in an organisation with combined assets and a market value of more than £875 million and more than 12,500 properties across West Cheshire, Merseyside and the North West. Residents will also receive a bulletin newsletter inviting questions, giving more information about consultation events.

The two organisations say that staff have been consulted and preliminary discussions have been carried out between board and resident board members of both housing associations.

“There is a great fit between both organisations. This merger would create further opportunities for residents, maintaining and improving services; together we are stronger in what we predict will be a challenging financial climate in the immediate future,” said John Denny, CDHT chief executive. “By working together we can put more homes on the ground by combining our development budgets, as well as safeguarding and creating jobs with no increase in rent payments, so it is a win-win situation which allows for more growth.”

Geoff Redhead, Cosmopolitan Housing Group’s chief executive, added: “This is exciting news for everyone. Discussions will continue over the coming months with residents, Board members, colleagues and key stakeholders to look at the best way to maximise the combined expertise and efficiency of our organisations, whilst ensuring that our services to customers and relationships with stakeholders are not disrupted in any way.”