Message from the Managing Director... r... Our first full trading year has been a challenging and rewarding period for the team during the early life of the Company, a year during which we have gained momentum and created the solid foundation for the future growth of the Company. Driven by our vision to become Landlord of Choice in Blackpool and having a clear focus on the task in hand, the team have worked hard to establish a robust operating model whilst at the same time, mobilising our complex development programme and launching the lettings and property management arm of the business. David Galvin M.D. The Company is now fully branded and has established itself as a major player in the development sector and private rental market under the banner of My Blackpool Home. Our brand presence is gaining momentumm and increasingly becoming recognised within the sector as the place to go for a good value service and a quality rental product. Our new office opened at 348 Lytham Road in January 2017, providing an accessible and welcoming lettings agency in South Shore. In addition, we have successfully contributed to regeneration by undertaking the development agent role on two major house building projects and facilitated a large hotel investment by handling the land assembly on behalf of the Local Authority. YE OLDE OFFICE During the next year, 2017-18, we aim to double the size of our own portfolio by adding around 100 units for rent and we want to work with more landlords to provide our comprehensive managed service. It s been a very busy first year and the Company has got off to a positive start with more exciting projects in the pipeline, we look forward to making an evenen bigger impact and achieving great things going forward. UK HOUSING AWARDS 2017 Finalist fully branded SHINY NEW OFFICE 2
Property Letting and Management Services Under our local brand My Blackpool Home we have launched services to manage both our own portfolio and offer a service to other landlords who have property meeting our own standards. Our aim is to drive a set of new standards in the quality and management of private lettings. Customer friendly and experienced team New South Shore lettings office Responsive service for repairs and maintenance 24hr emergency provision Developed tenant information resources Developed Landlord information resources 28 new landlords under managed service 74 new tenants within owned portfolio From walking in the door at My Blackpool Home, the service I received was second to none. I ve got myself a beautiful property. I would certainly recommend you to everyone. Fantastic! 5 star!! Marie. Photo by Robert Hudson 3
Social impact benefits of My Blackpool Home During our year we have focussed heavily on ensuring social impact features highly in all that we do. We work in partnership to improve the housing situation in Blackpool, working closely with clients referred through Housing Options to offer support and advice and source good quality housing for people who are often vulnerable. Handled over 700 client referrals via housing options service Providing tenancy sustainment to 209 clients housed Offered dedicated employment advisory to supported clients Regular tenancy sustainment visits Debt prevention and homeless prevention assistance provided Employing local contractors to support local jobs Supported DIY SOS Big Build to renovate Blackpool Young Carers Centre Staff cycled with 7 year old local resident Eva who cycled 100 miles over 5 days to raise funds for Cancer Research in partnership with 4
Development Programme A key part of this early operating period is to establish a pipeline of new product through our acquisition and development function. We have become extremely active in the local property market during this year, bringing forward a number of exciting and strategically relevant refurbishments, conversions and renovations to improve property standards. We ve Completed 74 letting units, ranging from 1 bed apartments to 4 bed houses Acquiring around 30 buildings within the target mission area Purchased and renovated a new company office Targeted over 7m of resources to support acquisition and development projects Establishing a set of high specification development standards Commenced the development programme Establish a pipeline of over 100 units under acquisition and development Introduced new procurement methods Established positive contractor relationships Established supplier commercial relationships Sam the builder 900 800 Property Development Pipeline Forecast 160 Development and Lettings Portfolio LETTING UNITS DEV UNITS 700 140 600 500 400 300 120 100 80 60 23 24 29 59 74 200 100 40 20 55 54 57 56 75 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 May 2016 July 2016 Sept 2016 Dec 2016 Mar 2017 Years 5
Major Projects Delivery The major projects arm of our business is providing a critical project management function on behalf of the local authority to oversee major new house building projects at Queens Park and Foxhall Village. The Company has also facilitated development appraisals and acted as enabler for a multi-million pound hotel development on South Shore. Queens Park Skyline Before Demolition and clearance for phase 2 of Queens Park involving the dramatic and successful blow down of the 3 high rise tower blocks. Complex negotiations with Lovells for the phase 2 contract on Queens Park Commencement of 99 new homes in phase 2 (completion spring 2018) Development of public realm and recreation ground improvements programme to support Queens Park scheme Developer and client liaison for Foxhall Village Scheme Completion of CPO and clearance of Foxhall Village Scheme Queens Park Skyline After Enabling work for Rigby Road public realm Surface water drainage scheme produced Carried out Homes and Communities Agency starter homes appraisals Development Options Market Testing on Grange Park sites Land assembly completed on derelict hotel site in South Shore now under development for a new hotel scheme. Foxhall Village 6
Financial, Business and Governance Being a brand new business, we have worked hard to set up and test the company s financial management controls, governance and audit systems and risk management arrangements. This essential work provides a solid foundation upon which to grow the business. Fully established our governance arrangements Recruited 8 non-executive Board Directors Conducted regular Board and Audit Committee governance meetings Launched our first Business Plan Statement Developed clear mission objectives Branded and launched My Blackpool Home services Developed and launched a website and social media presence Engaged in successful internal audits, VAT inspection and external audit processes Road tested the Business model, appraisal tool and re-profiled the delivery forecast Implemented SAGE and Landlord Manager systems Introduced income management systems Developed a performance management framework and introduced a Performance Dashboard Introduced a range of procedures for compliance and risk management Generated over 500,000 gross revenue income Invested over 7m into property assets 7
What s said About Us: blah blah As a Landlord, My Blackpool Home have gone the extra mile - Occupational Therapist The Housing Company provide fantastic resources to advise Landlord s on their obligations, the Best I have seen - Local Landlord at Blackpool Landlords Forum Formed to acquire poor quality and redundant housing, an impressive response to the problem of regenerating - Finalists UK Housing Awards 2017 Business combines a tough commercial edge with clear social purpose to create decent homes in stable communities - Finalists UK Housing Awards 2017 My Blackpool Home are a great company and I don t think I will ever leave as I love my flat. Everyone I have met from My Blackpool Home has been very friendly and have made me and my son feel very welcome. Thank you very much - Ms J, new tenant My perfect home! It really is our perfect home, all the staff are so helpful nothing is a problem. Before we moved into our new home everything was checked to make sure it was totally safe. Well done to everyone - Karen, July 2016 I have really enjoyed my first year with Blackpool Housing Company. I have been encouraged to contribute towards developing the business which has improved my own skills and confidence - Gill, Lettings and Finance Staff Member Accolades Blackpool Housing Company Ltd. My Blackpool Home 348-350 Lytham Road Blackpool FY4 1DW T: 01253 476112 W: myblackpoolhome.co.uk Finalist Red Rose Business Awards 2017 Property business of the year Finalist UK Housing Awards 2017 Development Programme and Innovation of the year