staff at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in September to hear that the ALMO has recorded outstanding levels of customer satisfaction despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic.

Alongside a 94% customer satisfaction score, CBH’s annual report records many other achievements from the Covid-blighted 12 months between April 2020 and last March including the Housing Options Team’s prevention of 277 cases of homelessness, around 10,000 calls to check on vulnerable tenants and maintaining 24 hour emergency repairs for customers during lockdown.

Dirk Paterson, CBH Board Chair, said: “Our staff have done an outstanding job in looking after the most vulnerable in our society during the lock down. On top of this, we’ve delivered outstanding quality in housing and building projects across Colchester at a competitive cost.

“The Board and tenants recognise the hard work of our brave and resilient staff, and we’re truly grateful for everything our CBH people have achieved this year.

The Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Andrew Ellis, added: “If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of strong communities. The tremendous results staff have achieved in incredibly challenging circumstances is because Colchester Borough Homes sits at the heart of our communities.

“It’s little wonder that they have reinforced their position as the trusted choice for local housing, property and community services in Colchester and they should be justifiably proud of their achievements.”

CBH’s most recent HouseMark rating, comparing service delivery against other social housing providers in the eastern region, rated the organisation ‘high performing’ and value for money across many service areas including responding to repairs and investing in the local community.

CEO Philip Sullivan, who joined CBH from Tower Hamlets Community Housing early in September, has 20 years’ experience in housing. Praising the experience and dedication of the team he has inherited, he said he was keen to build on the organisation’s outstanding record.

“We’re creating an ambitious new strategy to launch in April 2022, which will prepare us for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for customers and the organisation. I look forward to working with the tremendous CBH team to support this.”

Colchester Borough Homes has been part of the Colchester community since 2003 and provides management and maintenance services to around 7,000 residential, commercial and public buildings in the local area, including the Council’s housing stock.