The new ‘Rochdale Pioneers’

Some of the new Rochdale pioneers who were among the first to find out about the Membership opportunity. From left to right top row: Calsie Middleton (tenant), Gareth Swarbrick (CE RBH), bottom row: Joyce and Robert Parkhill (tenants) and Shahala Parveen (tenant

Over 200 Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) tenants have attended a ‘Membership launch event’ at Rochdale Town Hall.

Chief Executive of RBH, Gareth Swarbrick, said: “In December last year, council tenants voted to create the UK’s first tenant and employee co-owned mutual landlord which will see ownership of 13,700 homes transferred from Rochdale Borough Council to RBH in March.

Tenants Panel Chair is Lynne Brosman, she added: “Members will be crucial to the new mutual RBH. This event is just the start of the recruitment process which will see Members helping to drive and shape the new mutual RBH.”

The event was hosted by Mervyn Wilson, Chief Executive and Principal of the Co-operative College, who told the tenant delegates that they were creating another historic moment in the rich history of co-operation in Rochdale.

“You are fulfilling some of the ambitions of the original 1844 pioneers whose vision also included housing,” he said. “I believe this model will be followed elsewhere in the country which makes you the new Rochdale pioneers – welcome to the global cooperative family.”

The mutual model adopted by RBH has a structure that includes members at grass root levels which will include RBH staff and tenants. Members will have their voice heard via a Representative Body which they elect. This is comprised of tenants, employees, council representatives and external stakeholders. It will monitor the success of the organisation, set policy framework and agree how to spend money. It will also appoint (and remove) the Board of Directors. The Board itself will be made up of eight non-executive directors and two executive directors.

Andrew Johnson, a tenant on the Constitution Commission, explained: “We have worked hard to develop the new constitution. As tenants and employees working together, we have the same goals – a strong RBH, owned by Members and delivering excellent services.”

Kirkholt residents Robert and Joyce Parkhill were among the first to find out about the Membership opportunity. “We think this is a brilliant idea,” said Joyce. “We believe the new company will have good, old fashioned, solid principles that always put tenants first.”

The new mutual will give tenants and employees influence over the way their homes and communities are managed, particularly when big decisions are being taken.

Gareth Swarbrick added: “It was great to listen to so many people share their ambition for the future. These new ‘Members’ are essentially owners of the new company and will play a vital role in how their homes are managed and how their communities are supported.”