Phil Woolas, Minister for Local Government presenting the award to Eunice Rowley, Chair or Customer Involvement Sub-Group for Bolton at Home, Councillor David Wilkinson, Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Development and Regeneration, and George Caswell, Bolton at Home’s Chief Executive . 

Bolton at Home celebrates top award

21-MAR-06

Bolton Council’s arms length management organisation Bolton at Home has earned its place as a leader in the housing sector.

Bolton at Home has been awarded Beacon status in recognition of its commitment to putting customers at the heart of efforts to improve housing in the borough.

The Beacon Scheme recognises local authorities who display innovation in delivering quality public services.

Bolton will now share in £3 million of government funding to enhance its work in the borough.

Government ministers selected Bolton for the award after it was short-listed for the ‘Improving Housing Services by Involving Tenants’ category by independent inspectors last November, along with just five other local authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: “Beacon authorities help to create sustainable communities by embedding good practice across local government for the delivery of high quality public services.
“I hope that other authorities will be encouraged to look at what they can learn from these Beacons.”

This is Bolton’s third housing-related Beacon award in recent years – the previous two were awarded for work on homelessness and housing renewal.

Councillor David Wilkinson, Bolton Council Executive Member for Development and Regeneration and Noel Spencer, Chair of Bolton at Home issued a joint statement.

“We are delighted to receive this award. Beacon status means recognition of our commitment to placing customers at the heart of the housing service.

“We make a point of involving customers as much as we can and they and our staff deserve this award in recognition of their dedication and hard work.”