Unity announces appointment of new Chief Executive

Cedric Boston is the new Chief Executive of Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.

Unity Chief Executive Cedric Boston

He had served as Unity’s Interim Chief Executive since December 2020, replacing Ali Akbor OBE who was appointed to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.    

Mr Boston has over 30 years of senior level experience in social housing.

He is a former Chief Executive of Arhag, a London BME association dedicated to improving the life chances of migrants and refugees.

Mr Boston was also Director of Housing Services at Lambeth Living with responsibility for the provision of operational services to 65,000 people.   

He read law and politics at Keele University, was called to the Bar in 1985 and is currently studying part-time for an Open University degree in classical history.

Unity was set up in 1987 to meet the housing needs of BME people in Leeds.

Backed by more than 30 years of knowledge and collective experience, it is regarded as one of the country’s most successful and forward-thinking BME-led housing associations and serves people from all ethnic backgrounds in West Yorkshire.

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said: “We are delighted to appoint Cedric as Chief Executive of Unity Homes and Enterprise.

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava

“He was one of five very diverse shortlisted candidates who went through a rigorous assessment centre and final interview process.

“Cedric is committed to Unity, cares deeply about it and what it does for our communities.  He also wants the best outcomes for the organisation and its staff. 

“Cedric has a compelling vision for Unity, and we are confident in the approach he will take to deliver it.”

Mr Boston said: “As well as supporting Unity through the pandemic, my role over the past nine months has included helping the Board to refine its vision and mission, developing a new business corporate plan and leading staff through the initial phases of a change agenda.

“I look forward to building on these achievements and having the opportunity to broaden our external partnership work through building new alliances.

“Everything that Unity does flows from its social purpose which is focussed on fighting inequality and empowering BME people to improve their lives.  

“These will be my guiding principles in the years ahead.” 

First stage of trail blazing Leeds cohousing scheme nears completion

The first part of an innovative combined project to build 63 new affordable homes close to Leeds city centre is due to be completed later this year.

R to L: Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive at the Leopold Street development in Leeds with Yoseph Ahmed, prospective member, ChaCo; Alison Phelps, Neighbourhood Task Group, ChaCo; and Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director

Half of the properties will form a brand new cohousing community, one of around just 20 in the country. 

Work on the £9.3 million development at Leopold Street in Chapeltown began in the summer of 2019 with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Eileen Taylor, laying the first stone.

Last week representatives of the project partners visited the scheme which is a joint venture between BME-led housing association Unity Homes & Enterprise and Chapeltown Cohousing (ChaCo).

Despite some delays associated with the pandemic, Unity is on course to complete 30 one and two bed flats for people aged 55 and over by November. 

ChaCo’s element of the scheme - comprising 29 houses and flats, a ‘common house’ and space for three self build units – is expected to be ready in March 2022.

Cohousing is a means of bringing individuals and families together in groups to share common aims and activities whilst enjoying their own self-contained accommodation.

As well as their own private homes, everyone has the use of shared facilities in the ‘common house’ which includes washing machines, guest rooms and a large kitchen and dining room where everyone can eat.

Homes England provided £1.4million in grant support to the project with the Housing Infrastructure Fund allocating £1.34million

The remaining finance was secured by a combination of private finance and savings from ChaCo stakeholders who will live in the cohousing properties upon completion.

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “The concept behind this scheme is to connect residents to the community even when they are inside their home by having the ability to look out to the shared space, keep in touch with the everyday lives of friends and neighbours and come out to join them. 

“From Unity’s point of view, it is part of a bigger picture to provide high quality accommodation for older people, supporting them moving out of large family properties and backfilling these with families who urgently need that form of housing. 

“It is Unity’s second purpose built facility to support this strategic objective, the first being a £3.2 million development of 28 affordable homes for the over 55s in nearby Chapel Allerton which officially opened in June 2016.”  

Alison Phelps, a member of ChaCo’s Neighbourhood Task Group, said: “It has been a long journey for all of us and it is so exciting to know that we are now just six months from reaching our destination.

“The pandemic affected us hugely after the original contractor went out of business.  But working collectively with Unity, we re-contracted with Torpoint who saw this as a living project that they could take on and we remain hugely grateful that they did. 

“The Covid restrictions also impacted on the community side of cohousing and limited our endeavours to get to know each other before we move into the new properties next year. 

“However, as soon as there was a little easing of lockdown, we started a monthly litter pick around the edge of the site.   It was outdoor and socially distanced, but we could see each other’s faces.  That has been really fulfilling.”

L to R: Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive; Yoseph Ahmed, prospective member, ChaCo; Alison Phelps, Neighbourhood Task Group, ChaCo; and Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director, visiting one of the new Unity flats in Leeds

Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director, said: “This ambitious scheme has been seven years in the making following our initial meeting with ChaCo.      

“The process has been really rewarding, to see a fledgling community organisation come together and show the resilience not only to get the project up and running, but to see it through to the end. 

“There have been many challenges and knock backs along the way, but everyone has been tenacious and kept at it.

“I believe this is a model that could be replicated across Leeds and the country.”

Housing association CEO critical of ‘catastrophic’ Universal Credit cut for poorest paid workers

The chief executive of one of the country’s leading BME housing associations has said that the Government’s plan to cut Universal Credit by £20 per week will be “catastrophic” for some of the poorest paid workers and their families.

Lee Bloomfield

Lee Bloomfield, who has led Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association since 2018, said he feared that the fall in financial support will be “devastating for those who already have so little to lose.”   

It is estimated that six million of the least well-off households will see their income slashed by around £1,000 a year.

In a statement, Mr Bloomfield said: “The Government announced its intention to proceed with this cut some time ago, but I had hoped that a blend of good sense and decency would ultimately prevail.

“Instead, this week we have seen the Work and Pensions Secretary touring television studios with the message that she is ‘entirely happy’ for the reduction to go ahead from the end of this month.

“This cut will impact on a third of working age families with children across the country, but that will be far from evenly spread.

“Instead, deprived communities in places like Bradford and Keighley, where Manningham Housing Association operates, will be disproportionately affected.

“With furlough also coming to end this month, the cost of living significantly on the rise and National Insurance contributions due to increase in the spring, I fear there will be catastrophic consequences for some of the poorest paid workers and their families in Bradford, Keighley and elsewhere.

“The reduction in Universal Credit payments will be devastating for those who already have so little to lose.

“I urge the Government to think again and, at the very least, pause this cut until its likely impact is properly assessed.

“And If they really want to do the right thing, they should halt it altogether.”   

Manningham Housing Association embraces National Inclusion Week 2021

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has signed up to take part in National Inclusion Week which runs from Monday 27 September – Sunday 3 October.   

Organised by membership organisation Inclusive Employers, the initiative seeks to bring people together to share best practice in promoting inclusion in the workplace.

The theme of National Inclusion Week 2021, now in its ninth year, is ‘United For Inclusion.’        

To increase the impact of its involvement, MHA will be partnering with the Housing Diversity Network (HDN), a social enterprise that aims to inspire and empower people and promote equality, diversity and opportunity for all.

Both organisations are based at Bank House in Bradford which will be decorated with banners and flags as MHA and HDN staff participate in an array of activities throughout the week.

These will include workshops, games, competitions and a photobooth.

Team members will also be invited to dress traditionally and share national and international dishes each day for lunch.  

MHA’s head office in Bradford

Last year more than 2,000 organisations signed up for National Inclusion Week with events including webinars and daily challenges estimated to have connected around 16 million people.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “We are really looking forward to working in partnership with the Housing Diversity Network to support National Inclusion Week 2021.

“After another tough year for everyone because of Covid, it is a wonderful opportunity for staff at all levels to celebrate being together and learn more about the importance of a fully inclusive working environment.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “It is essential that Manningham Housing Association plays a lead role in National Inclusion Week.

“Tackling racism will be an area of particular focus throughout the seven days including the launch of an anti-racism toolkit.  I look forward to learning more about this and discussing lessons learnt with colleagues and MHA’s external partners.”         

Rupert Moyne, Managing Director – Corporate Services, Inclusive Employers, said: “I’m delighted that Manningham Housing Association is taking part in National Inclusion Week 2021.

“The last year has really brought the need for inclusion into sharp focus. Many of us have spent the past twelve months working remotely and I therefore hope that ‘United For Inclusion,’ the 2021 theme of National Inclusion Week, brings us closer to our colleagues and other organisations as we together celebrate, share and inspire inclusion practices.

“MHA’s involvement in National Inclusion Week shows that they take building an inclusive workplace seriously and I welcome their commitment to do so.”

More information about National Inclusion Week and how to get involved is available via the Inclusive Employers website. 

Call for urgent talks on reducing Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland

Lord Rogan has called for urgent discussions aimed at reducing Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates in Northern Ireland.   

The Ulster Unionist peer was speaking after Ryanair announced it was ceasing flights at both Belfast airports this winter largely because of APD.

In a statement, Lord Rogan said: “APD has been damaging to Northern Ireland since it was introduced by the then Conservative Government in 1994 purely as a money-making exercise for the Treasury.

“However, added to the problems associated with Covid, I fear that its continuation at current levels is placing the future of what’s left of the Province’s aviation sector at grave risk.

Lord Rogan

“Members of Parliament and peers from all of the local parties have lobbied successive UK Governments on this issue with little progress made.

“Concessions were floated as part of the DUP’s backroom deal to keep Theresa May’s Government in power in 2017 and a so-called ‘technical working group’ was set up to examine what may be possible.

“Boris Johnson’s arrival in Downing Street two years later and his disinterest in all things Northern Ireland clearly put an end to these efforts.

“I will be tabling a series of Written Questions when Parliament returns in a few days’ time to try to find out what progress – if any – these talks made.

“In the meantime, I believe that new discussions must be urgently convened between UK Government Ministers and representatives of Northern Ireland political parties, the local aviation industry and business leaders with a view to reducing APD rates.

“Boris Johnson’s Government has an unfortunate reputation for choosing to recognise a problem only when it is too late to do anything about it.

“This must not be the case in relation to APD in Northern Ireland because we are rapidly running out of viable carriers.”         

Manningham Housing Association to join new anti-racism movement

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has given its full support to a new anti-racism movement being launched later this month by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit.

Established in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Keighley and Bradford.

Created to proactively challenge racism in all areas of society, the movement is part of an ongoing commitment to tackling structural and institutionalised racism, and addressing health and social inequalities across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. 

Lee Bloomfield

The movement, a recommendation from a West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership review published last autumn into the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities, will see staff and members of the local community putting their faces to the movement’s visuals in high profile places including sports clubs and hospital grounds.

Imagery from the campaign will be displayed on buses and across social media platforms with the hashtag #WYHRootOutRacism.

The movement will encourage people to better inform themselves on anti-racist behaviours and practices whilst highlighting real life stories.

Developed from insight gained through people’s personal experiences of racism, the initiative will encourage everyone to root it out and stand together.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “Manningham Housing Association rejects racism and will challenge it wherever it is found.

“We are proud to join colleagues around the region in opposing racist behaviour and shining a spotlight on those who seek to sow hatred, discrimination and division in communities.

Barrington Billings

“I congratulate West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit for devising this innovative campaign and look forward to MHA playing a full part in ensuring it achieves positive results.”       

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “As one of the country’s leading BME housing associations, MHA has always taken a lead in tackling racism head on.

“Racism was an evil blight on society when MHA was founded 35 years ago and it remains equally abhorrent now.

“We will stand up for those who are subjected to vile racist abuse and discrimination, and stand against the sick individuals and groups who peddle racist words and deeds.” 

Housing association CEO condemns racist abuse of England footballers

The Chief Executive of Bradford based Manningham Housing Association has condemned the online abuse of three black England footballers and called on public figures and institutions to speak out against racism.   

Lee Bloomfield, Chief Executive, Manningham Housing Association

In a strongly worded statement, Lee Bloomfield, said: “On behalf of everyone at Manningham Housing Association, I wish to unequivocally condemn the abhorrent racist comments and rhetoric directed at black members of the England football team on social media following the loss to Italy.

“As a BAME association which stands for equality and diversity and against any form of racism or prejudice, it is critically important that public figures and public-facing organisations with the ability to speak out against such appalling behaviour now take a stand.

“Turning a blind eye to unashamed racism will lead our country towards an abyss.     

“Instead, a spotlight must be shone on this cancer and those individuals who have committed crimes of hate must be harshly dealt with by the criminal law.

“I implore the Government, the police and social media platforms to work together to identify the perpetrators and bring them swiftly to justice so we can have faith that this disgusting behaviour will not be tolerated now or at any time in the future within our borders.”   

Peer demands UK Government action to stop processed animal protein entering Northern Ireland food chain

Senior peer Lord Rogan has called on the UK Government to act to stop the European Union allowing animal remains to be fed to livestock in Northern Ireland.

There has been a ban on feeding processed animal protein to livestock since the BSE crisis in the 1990s.  However, discussions are ongoing about lifting the ban in the EU as early as next month.

Lord Rogan

Lord Rogan told the House of Lords this afternoon: “The Prime Minister’s decision to sign up to the Northern Ireland Protocol has placed the Province’s agri-food business in an increasingly perilous situation.

“We were promised that Brexit would improve food standards right across the United Kingdom, but this will not be the case if processed animal protein is allowed to enter the food chain in Northern Ireland.”

He asked Rural Affairs Minister Lord Benyon: “What representations has the Government made to Brussels to stop this policy from being extended into Northern Ireland?

“Can you tell the House if Boris Johnson was aware that the EU’s ban on animal protein was about to be lifted before he agreed to place a regulatory border in the Irish Sea?”

Replying, Lord Benyon conceded that “this was a matter that was announced in May, but it has been under discussion for a long time.” 

He told Lord Rogan: “This is a not an issue that is affecting the Northern Ireland Protocol or any other aspect of trade with Northern Ireland,” adding, “we have ongoing discussions with the EU at a scientific and animal heath level and will continue to do so.”  

Speaking afterwards, Lord Rogan said he was “alarmed that Lord Benyon had singularly failed to grasp the nature and seriousness of the issue we are facing.”

He added: “Yet again, the UK Government is asleep at the wheel and driving towards a very large wall in relation to Northern Ireland in general and the agri-food sector in particular.”  

Housing associations must prioritise investment in residents’ homes - CEO

Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents should be the “absolute priority” for housing associations, the Chief Executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has argued.

Lee Bloomfield was speaking after National Housing Federation Chief Executive Kate Henderson responded to a series of ITV News reports about social housing residents living in homes with damp, mould and other types of serious disrepair.

In an interview, she said the affected residents had been “let down” by being forced to live in conditions which were “just not acceptable, not only because of the levels of disrepair in these homes but also because the residents have not felt listened to.”   

Mr Bloomfield, who has led MHA since January 2018, said in a time of an acute shortage of social and affordable homes, housing associations are hungry for growth to help meet this shortfall however some larger housing associations were “placing growth ahead of maintaining and improving their existing properties.”

Lee Bloomfield

In a statement, he said: “The ITV reports were shocking and having spoken to senior colleagues in other housing associations, I know there is a feeling of widespread revulsion across the sector about what was uncovered.  It is fair to say that the majority of larger housing associations strike a balance of providing new homes whilst maintaining and improving their existing stock.

“I have long been of the view that some large housing associations have been focussed almost to the point of obsession on building up their stock portfolios at the risk of allowing the quality of their existing properties to deteriorate.

“In contrast, smaller housing associations with lower stock numbers often tend to focus their resources on organic growth and maintaining their existing stock to higher standards.

“MHA undertook a comprehensive stock condition survey in 2017 which confirmed that our more than 1,400 properties are in good condition.  

“Since then, we have invested a further £2.5million in these homes including upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms.

“Our corporate strategy contains four key objectives including a steadfast commitment to looking after our existing homes.    

“When we consulted with residents in Bradford and Keighley in 2019 about the association’s growth plans, they supported our desire to build new properties but not at the expense of existing homes falling to lower standards.    

“The most recent residents survey, carried out in May this year, saw satisfaction levels with our repairs and maintenance service rise to 91%. That is a positive outcome, although I still want this figure to rise further.

“MHA’s determination to look after the needs of our residents is matched by many other housing associations around the country.  However, cases like those highlighted on the news over recent weeks reflect badly on the sector. 

“A valuable lesson would be to strike the correct balance of properly investing in current stock whilst achieving unit growth.”   

Leeds BME housing association launches search for new Chief Executive

One of the country’s leading BME housing associations has begun the search for a new Chief Executive.  

Unity Homes and Enterprise, which has its headquarters in Leeds, is seeking a permanent replacement for Ali Akbor OBE who left his post after more than two decades to join the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.

Established in 1987, the association manages more than 1,300 rented and shared ownership homes in Leeds and Kirklees - with ongoing developments continuing to increase its affordable housing stock - and holds the highest available (G1/V1) gradings for governance and viability from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Unity also provides affordable business units for more than 80 diverse businesses across three centres in Leeds and has dedicated financial inclusion and employment support teams to help stimulate social and economic regeneration, improve life opportunities and address inequalities.

Shruti Bhargava, Chair, Unity Homes and Enterprise

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said the Board was “open-minded” about where the rigorous recruitment process might take them but made clear that the association’s unwavering commitment to diversity and social purpose was “non-negotiable.”

She said: “This is a great opportunity for a creative person with the right track record and who ‘gets’ what we are all about to work with the Board, staff, tenants and local communities, to put their stamp on our next stage of development.

“The successful candidate will have the vision to further advance our distinctive identity, build upon the success of our enterprise centres, deliver change through the development and involvement of local communities and have the ability to make sound financial decisions.

“We have also progressed an innovative draft corporate plan - produced by our Interim Chief Executive, Cedric Boston - which has social purpose at its heart and will guide Unity’s journey over the next five years.

“The new Chief Executive will have the opportunity to bring their own creative thinking to the task of delivering this plan in a way that enhances our customer service and engagement, improves our business performance, strengthens our partnership working and invests in our social purpose which underpins everything we do.”

The recruitment process is being delivered in collaboration with leadership recruitment consultancy Green Park which specialises in identifying talent from diverse communities.

A microsite dedicated to the Unity vacancy has just gone live with a range of avenues being explored over the coming weeks to encourage top level candidates to apply.

The selection process will move into a new phase in early August when applications close with interviews in differing formats and an assessment centre due to be held.

It is expected that that identity of the new Unity Chief Executive will be announced in September.

John Jeffries, a Unity Board member who serves on the task group overseeing the recruitment procedure, said: “Unity may be small in size but has always punched well above its weight - locally, regionally and nationally. 

“Alongside responsibility for the day to day running of the association, the successful candidate will be tasked with building new working relationships with partners and agencies which can help us to grow our core business and progress our social purpose ambitions.

Andy Welsh, who also sits on the task group and is a member of the Unity Enterprise Board, said: “We exist to provide high quality affordable homes, but also to fight inequality and empower BME people to improve their lives by creating opportunities and helping to regenerate communities.

“That is our commitment to social purpose and it will also be the mission of Unity’s new Chief Executive.”   

Unity marks Windrush Day with public exhibition set to open next month

Leeds BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has announced that a major exhibition showcasing the ground-breaking contribution of the Windrush Generation to business success and social reform in the city will open to the public on 20 July, subject to Government Covid restrictions being eased.

The team behind the ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition which is due to open to the public at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown, Leeds next month 

A limited number of guests were invited to a scaled down preview of the exhibition at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown on Tuesday (22 June) to mark Windrush Day 2021.

It was hoped that the full public opening would take place on the same important date, but this was ruled out after the Prime Minister delayed the relaxation of rules on extended indoor gatherings until next month.

Delivered in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition features a series of video interviews with local Windrush reformers, together with a photographic display illustrating the growth and diversity of Leeds Windrush businesses and their positive impact on local communities.

The films were produced by Leeds Trinity’s final year journalism students under the guidance of the University’s Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Broadcast Journalism Programme Leader Katherine Blair.

The project is being supported by grant funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme.

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “Whilst it was disappointing not to be able to open our doors to the public on Windrush Day itself, it was a privilege to welcome a small number of guests who were so important in helping us put the exhibition together.

“We are immensely grateful to Katherine and her team at Leeds Trinity for producing the inspirational videos.

“Alongside the photographic display, they provide a truly fascinating insight into the life experiences of local Windrush Generation descendants who play such a critical role in everyday community and business life in Leeds.”

Cy Powell, a Unity Enterprise Board member who came to the UK from Jamaica in 1966 and features prominently in ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition, said: “It is fantastic to see the exhibition ready to go.

Left to right: Hughbon Condor, High Esteem Carnival Design; Katherine Blair, Leeds Trinity University; Jackie Walker, Phun in The Sun; Patrick Bernard, Bernard Solicitors; Christina Cambridge, Cardinal Care Services Ltd; Adrian Green, Unity Enterprise; and Sharron Smithen, Kalabash 

“Unity’s history and progress as a community-focused organisation with a strong social purpose is rooted in the Windrush Generation.

“I am proud that Unity has stepped forward to enable these stories to be told.”    

Katherine Blair said: “After such a difficult year for our students where much of their work had to be done online, I jumped at the offer of doing these interviews with people in the Chapeltown community.

“Everyone we interviewed had such rich stories to tell. They were so generous with their time and their memories.

“It was an absolute pleasure to have worked on this and the students are delighted with what they created.”

Martha Sanders, Leeds Trinity MA Journalism student and producer of the series, said: “The people we spoke to had so much to say and it was fantastic being part of the team that put the project together.

“The stories we helped to tell are so important to Leeds as a city and it was a privilege to be asked to produce the show.  

“I hope that people who visit the exhibition find the work impactful and that we have done the amazing interviewees justice.”

It is intended that that the exhibition will be open to the public between 10am and 3pm from 20 July until 15 December.

Further information including details of Covid-related safety restrictions that may be required will be announced next month.  

MLCSL and Kepak agree deal to boost independent carcase classification

Carcase classification specialist Meat and Livestock Commercial Services (MLCSL) has announced a seven-year contract to provide leading international meat processor Kepak Group with three automated carcase classification machines in two of its UK plants overseen by MLCSL’s independent, on-site classification officers.

MLCSL, which was acquired by Vorenta Limited - which also owns Hallmark Veterinary Compliance Services – from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in 2018, plans to install the VBS 2000 machines this year in Kepak’s facilities at Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales and Bodmin in Cornwall.  MLCSL is working with the Rural Payments Agency to secure the appropriate licences for them.   

David Peace

The automated carcase classification process, known as Video Image Analysis (VIA), uses cameras and bespoke software to classify carcases on the EUROP scale.

David Peace, Chairman, MLCSL, said: “We are absolutely delighted to agree this new partnership with Kepak, one of Europe’s foremost meat processers. 

“The machines use E+V camera-based technology which is already widely utilised in Kepak’s Irish manufacturing sites.    

“It is a superb opportunity for MLCSL to demonstrate that we can provide these machines, as well as maintain the overall independent classification service which includes having our own classification officers permanently overseeing the grading process in each plant.”

Tom Finn

Tom Finn, Chief Commercial Officer, Kepak, said: “The move into automation in two of our UK plants is a significant advance for Kepak, whilst continuing to rely on the long-standing and highly-respected independent classification service.

“MLCSL has agreed to provide three machines as well as classification officers to manage the work on a permanent basis.

“It is an exciting development which further emphasises Kepak’s established reputation for efficiency and transparency in our relationships with suppliers and customers. The support of the NFU and FUW will contribute to a smooth changeover of systems to include VIA grading.” 

Wyn Evans, Vice Chair, NFU Livestock Board and Chair, NFU Cymru Livestock Board, said: “I welcome the rollout of automated carcase classification at two Kepak sites, Merthyr and Bodmin.

“Crucially we must continue to maintain trust and transparency in the weighing and grading/classification process that ensures producers are adequately and fairly rewarded for the livestock they produce. 

“The introduction of automated classification at Kepak, where this will be supported by a fully trained independent MLCSL classification officer, will give producers the confidence that their livestock are classified consistently and accurately.”

Glynn Roberts

Glyn Roberts, President, Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), said: “Getting such technology up and running has been supported by FUW for many years, and we therefore fully support this move.

"The independent oversight of the system will bolster the transparency this system brings, and we look forward to seeing the machines being installed and the new automated grading process being launched in the coming months.”

Housing association secures funds for Leeds Windrush Generation exhibition

Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has been awarded Government funding to stage an exhibition showcasing the huge contribution of the Windrush Generation to business and social reform in the city.

The project, which will be hosted at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown, will feature short video interviews with local Windrush reformers sharing their stories of resilience.

The videos are being produced in collaboration with Leeds Trinity University which has kindly agreed to support the initiative.

These will be complemented by a photographic display illustrating the growth and variety of Leeds Windrush businesses and their positive impact on the diverse communities they serve.

Funding for the exhibition follows a successful bid to the Government’s annual Windrush Day Grant Scheme which first launched in 2019.

Applicants were invited to devise projects that “will bring communities together, create a lasting impact and improve education and learning through building a deeper understanding of the Windrush Generation and their contributions to British society.”

Cedric Boston

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “We are proud to have secured the funding to deliver a truly first-class exhibition, in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, which will be closely aligned with our values and social purpose.

“The Windrush Generation has been pivotal in Unity’s establishment and growth and so much of our success as a community-focused organisation rooted in Chapeltown is down to them.

“Everyone at Unity is looking forward to raising awareness of the challenges the Windrush Generation faced and how they overcame each hurdle with dignity and grace.”  

Katherine Blair

Katherine Blair, Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Broadcast Journalism Programme Leader at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are delighted to work with Unity on this exciting and timely project to celebrate the hugely positive impact the Windrush Generation and their descendants have made on the city. 

“It is a privilege for Leeds Trinity University journalism students to have the opportunity to provide a medium for these inspirational people to tell their stories.”            

Cy Powell

Cy Powell, who came on a scholarship to the UK from Jamaica in 1966 and serves on Unity’s Enterprise Board, said: “The exhibition will be about remembrance and informing younger people about the significant contribution of the Windrush Generation to this country.

“Their achievements have not been forgotten but they have been elided.

“Unity now has a platform to change that.” 

The exhibition will open to the public on Tuesday 22 June - Windrush Day 2021 – and run until the end of the year.

More information, including opening hours and details of Covid-related safety restrictions that may be required, will be announced shortly.  

Housing tops the agenda as West Yorkshire mayoral candidate visits Bradford

Senior representatives of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) have welcomed Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin to their Bradford head office to talk about the organisation’s work and her campaign to be West Yorkshire’s first directly-elected Mayor.  

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin (front centre) with MHA staff and board members in Bradford

MHA Chief Executive Lee Bloomfield and Vice Chair Abdul A. Ravat gave Ms Brabin a socially-distanced presentation outlining the history of MHA including its recent achievement in becoming the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its success in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

They also detailed examples of MHA’s commitment to local partnership working through its Community Investment Strategy and explained the proactive role it plays in tackling the unique challenges faced by its Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents.

Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 tenants in Bradford and Keighley.  Around 80 per cent of MHA tenants are of South Asian origin.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “We have engaged with all of the mayoral candidates through our membership of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership and it was a pleasure to meet Tracy, discuss our work and learn more about her policy ideas.

“There is a major shortage of good quality affordable homes in Bradford and Keighley, with a particular need for more large family properties.

“As a trusted and respected local housing provider, MHA is keen to play our part in delivering the many additional affordable homes local communities here require.

“The election of a West Yorkshire Mayor presents a gilt-edged opportunity to make progress on an issue that successive Governments in London have sadly failed to address.”

Tracy Brabin MP said: “Manningham Housing Association is one of the exemplars of how we support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

“It’s about larger properties and making sure that there is housing stock across Bradford – I know they have ambitions to widen out across West Yorkshire.

“This is work that’s very much on my radar, particularly as someone who grew up in social housing.

“I understand the value of a secure home and how you can then flourish, not worrying that you’re going to be made homeless at any moment.”  

Abdul A. Ravat, MHA Vice Chair, said: “I have known Tracy for some time and was delighted that she chose to visit MHA during her busy campaign.

“I am a strong advocate for devolution which should lead to better informed decision-making and enhanced political accountability at a local level.   

“The directly-elected Mayor will be a powerful voice for West Yorkshire who can deliver real change and improve life chances in some of the most deprived parts of the region including Bradford and Keighley.

“25 per cent of the community across West Yorkshire is BAME and in Bradford it is between 40 and 45 per cent.”  

The West Yorkshire mayoral election will take place on Thursday 6 May.

£2.4 million affordable housing development close to completion

Construction of a new 14-unit affordable homes scheme in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire is set for completion in June.

The site at Dale Lane was owned by the Joshua Wood charity before being purchased by Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise to build a mix of two and three bed bungalows for affordable rent.

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, contractor Torpoint has made excellent progress on the £2.4 million development with keys to the properties due to be handed over to the first tenants from Kirklees Council’s housing register early this summer.       

The Heckmondwike project will further extend Unity’s footprint in Kirklees following the opening of new affordable housing developments at Northgate in Cleckheaton and Quarmby Road in Huddersfield.

Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director (right) with Josh Paterson, Torpoint Director (centre) and Mick Rogers, Torpoint Site Manager (left), outside one of the new Dale Lane properties which is nearing completion

This is an exciting time for Unity and Huddersfield as the association has just obtained planning permission to build an additional 30 new two and three bed homes at Plane Street, with construction work also due to begin in the summer.

Unity was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, community-based housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds. 

It now manages more than 1,300 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds in West Yorkshire.

Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director, said: “It is always satisfying to reach the concluding stages of a major development project.

“There were added challenges with this scheme because of Covid and the end of the Brexit transition phase which risked impacting on building supplies, but close partnership working has ensured a relatively seamless process.

“Torpoint has done an excellent job and Unity is grateful to our partners Kirklees Council and Homes England for their strong support in delivering this scheme in these extraordinary challenging times.”

Unity Interim Chief Executive Cedric Boston

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “This development represents another significant step towards our objective of delivering 220 new properties under the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme, the most ambitious development plan in our history.

“Unity is a housing association with social purpose at its heart.

“Building high quality affordable homes for people from diverse communities and positively impacting their lives is the mission that drives us on.”   

Manningham Housing Association shortlisted for two prestigious awards

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has been shortlisted for two Northern Housing Awards including the blue ribband Landlord of the Year category.

The association, which owns and manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, has also made the final cut for the Resident Support/Advice Programme of the Year award.

MHA representatives have been invited to attend a virtual ceremony on Thursday 13 May where the winners will be announced.  

In the last 12 months, MHA has received highest possible gradings from the independent regulator which oversees the performance of housing associations in England.

It has also been awarded the Customer Service Excellence quality mark, gaining Compliance Plus status in 15 separate areas, and become the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Being shortlisted in the Resident Support/Advice Programme of the Year category is as a result of the association’s highly successful Community Initiatives Programme which provides tailored support for Bradford and Keighley residents at risk of suffering from poor mental or physical health, isolation, financial difficulties, economic inactivity, digital exclusion and substance misuse.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “It is a great honour to be shortlisted for both Northern Housing Awards and especially this year given the additional challenges we have faced because of the pandemic.

“The wellbeing of residents will always be our top priority and MHA staff at all levels have really pulled together to support them, as well as each other.

“Our overall customer satisfaction rating is consistently around 92%, rent arrears is under 2% and rent collection is at 100% - all three measures in the top quartiles nationally.  Importantly for our tenants, our health and safety indicators for issues such as gas compliance, electrical compliance and legionella testing are also at 100%.

“The MHA team have really stretched themselves in the most difficult of circumstances.  I am proud of every single one of them.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Being shortlisted for these awards is an immense achievement and underlines the high regard in which Manningham Housing Association is held not just in Bradford and Keighley, but also much further afield.

“The association has a hard-earned reputation for creative thinking and ambition on behalf of our residents and the neighbourhoods in which we operate.

“A major financial package finalised last year will also enable us to add another 100 affordable homes to our stock over the next four years, enabling us to directly improve the lives of many more individuals and families.

“This high profile recognition is thoroughly merited and, on behalf of the board, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Lee and his team.” 

National role for Manningham Housing Association board member

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) board member and tenant Cath Bacon has been chosen to represent the views of social housing tenants around the country on a high profile committee.

She will serve as a member of the Housing Ombudsman’s Resident Panel which provides feedback and advice on the formal process of investigating complaints about registered social housing providers including housing associations, other landlords, managers and agents.

The Panel also examines key areas of the Housing Ombudsman’s work including the annual business plan and three-year corporate plan.   

Membership is made up of tenants from a cross-section of landlords in the Housing Ombudsman Service, ensuring that occupants with different types, size and location of social housing provider in England are represented. 

In addition to her role on MHA’s board, Cath Bacon is also Chair of the Bradford-based association’s Customer Panel which scrutinises the services it offers to tenants.

Away from MHA, she is Vice Chair of Bradford District Credit Union and is preparing to stand for election to Bradford Council in May having previously served a four-year term on the local authority.  

Cath Bacon

Cath Bacon said: “I am proud to be appointed to the Housing Ombudsman’s Resident Panel following a competitive process.

“I believe I bring a wealth of experience to the role through my work with MHA, my experience as an elected member of Bradford Council and my role as a trade union local organiser.

“Tenants who choose to bring complaints to the Housing Ombudsman do so because they have felt let down by their social housing provider and want their voice to be heard.       

“I will seek to give them that voice whilst working with the Housing Ombudsman to deliver service improvements.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Putting tenants first and shaping our services according to their needs are MHA’s guiding principles.

“No one understands this better than Cath which makes her an excellent choice for this vital role which will allow her to speak up for tenants on a national level.  

“She has been a first class board colleague and I know she will do a magnificent job.”  

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “There is a wonderful culture of togetherness at Manningham Housing Association which has enabled us to achieve the highest possible gradings from the Regulator of Social Housing, attain the Customer Service Excellence quality mark and become the first housing association in the country to be accredited for our work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

“Cath is an incredibly important part of our team and her appointment is fantastic news for MHA, social housing tenants in England and the Housing Ombudsman Service.”

Border checks delay is a betrayal of vets and Brexit

The Managing Director of one of the country’s leading providers of Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors has strongly criticised the UK Government’s decision to further delay checks on goods entering Great Britain from the European Union.

Yesterday, in a Parliamentary Written Statement, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove announced that health certificates on EU imports such as meat and milk will not be needed before October, having previously said that these would be required from 1 April.

Diederick Opperman, Managing Director, HallMark Veterinary and Compliance Services

He also admitted that in-person inspections on such animal products, which were due to start in July, will not begin before January 2022.

In a statement, Diederick Opperman, Managing Director of HallMark Veterinary and Compliance Services, said that Mr Gove’s announcement had placed his company in “an extremely perilous position.”

Mr Opperman commented: “Michael Gove and his colleagues now at the top of Government assured us that they had a plan to deliver a Brexit that would be in the best interests of our country.  We now know this not to be true.

“Unlike our political masters, the veterinary sector has prepared long and hard for the post-Brexit period including the introduction of checks on meat and dairy imports from the EU.

“That has included the recruitment of significant numbers of professionally trained staff and paying for them to be ready to begin work in a matters of weeks.

“And then, without consultation, Mr Gove slips out an announcement which has left HallMark in an extremely perilous position because the work we promised to our new team members has been taken away.

“Based on past experience of this Government, I also have no confidence in any commitments Ministers make in relation to future start dates. 

“It truly is an appalling situation and amounts to a betrayal of vets and, indeed, the Government’s supposed Brexit ideal. 

“Boris Johnson and Michael Gove promised the British people that Brexit enable the UK to take back control of its borders.

“In truth and for reasons of political expediency, they have chosen to throw our regulatory borders open.

“We will be writing to Mr Gove to seek a meeting and ask when he intends to come up with a plan that sticks and what he expects me to tell my vets in the interim.”

Leeds firm demonstrates that Agile thinking gets IT done

A Leeds-based company which has risen from start-up status to a staff of 65 and a £10 million annual turnover is celebrating its third birthday this week.

Burendo, meaning “blended” in Japanese, specialises in Agile business transformation which involves teams tackling software development challenges in short “sprints” or iterations and reviewing results to address a client’s digital needs more quickly and effectively.   

The company was established in 2018 by Glenn Crossley, Austen Bell and Gary Green who previously collaborated to launch the Blended Agile Delivery (BAD) Toolkit.  Created on a not-for-profit basis, their motivation behind the toolkit – which remains available online - was to allow open access to the benefits of Agile techniques and processes.

In its short history, Burendo has worked with numerous well-known clients in the United Kingdom and United States including Equifax, Yorkshire Building Society, the NHS and William Hill.

Over the last 12 months, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has had teams working with NHS Digital on a new data collection platform which is improving efficiency levels whilst gathering information that assists decision-making in areas such as commissioning, resource allocation and patient choice.

Glenn Crossley (right) with Austen Bell and Burendo office manager Daniella Preston

Glenn Crossley, director at Burendo and co-founder of the BAD Toolkit, said: “We are celebrating our third birthday with a week-long programme of online activities but hope to get the team back together in our Leeds head office in the summer.

“The past year has been challenging but our client base continues to grow, and we have ambitious plans for the future.

“Working alongside Austen, Gary and the rest of the team, it is really satisfying to have taken Burendo from an idea to an Agile consultancy that is valued and respected far beyond our proud Yorkshire roots including, for example, in Atlanta where we are currently delivering Agile training to 65 people each week.

“The strength of the Yorkshire tech sector is no longer a hidden secret, as the depth of talent now available to employers such as Burendo clearly demonstrates.      

“We look forward to building on our foundation for growth by demonstrating what Agile people can do and empowering businesses to achieve their digital aspirations.”