AS RIOTING SHOOK Liverpool and other cities last summer, staff at Plus Dane Group underlined their commitment to their tenants and communities. Ken Perry, the chief executive, was on holiday but returned to help his team meet needs in their area and rounded up other social landlords for an emergency meeting to co-ordinate the response. Our survey shows the housing association's 556 staff, who manage 12,500 homes in Merseyside and Cheshire, have great faith in their leader, scoring 77% positive. They believe he runs Plus Dane according to sound moral principles (79%). Plus Dane was formed by a merger of Merseyside Plus and Cheshire-based Dane Housing in 2008. Staff work from 27 local sites, supporting tenants and offering neighbourhood services. In winter everyone joins in the Beat the Chill campaign to visit 600 vulnerable tenants with extra blankets and advice. An apprentice programme for 30 people is the first step in career development here and staff say their training is of great personal benefit (76%, a top 10 score among mid-sized organisations). All staff work flexibly around core hours of 10am to 3pm and can take up to 30 days' holiday. Staff are happy with their pay (71%, in eighth place), and benefits include health cover for employees and their families. They feel their pay packages — just under £25,000 a year for the average neighbourhood officer — are fair compared with those for similar jobs elsewhere (65%, a top 10 score). Staff see a positive future for themselves at Plus Dane, scoring 74%, in seventh place. www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com
