West Kent and Sevenoaks District Council signed their three-year annual partnership agreement last week, which outlines how the two organisations will continue to work together to provide homes and neighbourhoods people are proud to live in.
On Tuesday 15 October, Cabinet members from Sevenoaks District Council and Board members from West Kent came together to celebrate how working together at a more strategic level had delivered for the district.
Tracy Allison, Chief Executive at West Kent, reflected that over the three years of the previous agreement, there were several key achievements including:
- Collaboration to rehouse urgent cases for households fleeing domestic violence.
- Working together to support the regeneration of Vine Court Road.
- The transformation of garage sites in Swanley into new affordable homes and as part of this, creating a bespoke adapted home for a family with additional support needs.
- Progressing exciting proposals for the replacement of outdated accommodation at Heath Close, to provide new affordable rented and shared ownership homes.
Looking forward, the new three-year agreement will focus on:
- Working together to prevent homelessness, through providing support to sustain existing tenancies and by working to rehouse people quickly.
- Working in partnership to better match available homes to current residents when their needs change so they can move to a more suitable home.
- By taking the long-term view, work together in delivering a place-based approach as West Kent invests in their current homes to regenerate neighbourhoods and develop opportunities in partnership to support local communities.
Piers White, Chair at West Kent welcomed the partnership approach saying; “This year we are celebrating 35 years of West Kent and the collaboration with Sevenoaks District Council has been a key part of how we work since our formation in 1989. This new agreement continues that commitment, which keeps residents’ needs at the heart of what we do.”
Councillor Roddy Hogarth, Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, explained how this aligned to his personal ambition for the district; “By working together, we can improve our existing neighbourhoods, enable more new homes for people that need them, and support the aspirations of our local communities, helping residents live happier and healthier lives.”
Dr Pav Ramewal, Chief Executive of Sevenoaks District Council, adds; “I am really pleased to continue our relationship with West Kent. Our partnership is key to helping us deliver our priorities for housing and supporting our communities.”
West Kent began operating as a housing association through a stock transfer of 6,300 homes from Sevenoaks District Council back in March 1989. Over the last 35 years, West Kent has invested in homes and communities and has grown to provide over 8,500 homes across Kent.
