| TWO RESIDENTS will soon have the chance to join the board of Sovereign Housing Association, and help keep Newbury’s biggest landlord at the top of its game.
It’s 15 years since Newbury District Council sold off its 7,109 homes to the forerunner of Sovereign Housing Association, retaining two seats on the board of the new organisation.
Since the transfer, Sovereign has almost doubled in size, operating from Oxfordshire to Devon, with more than half its homes outside West Berkshire. So, West Berkshire Council agreed last night to give up its seats at the top table, which will make room for more tenant to get involved.t.
Sovereign Group Chief Executive Ann Santry said: “The arrangement has stood us in good stead for 15 years, but no longer reflects our business. We will continue to work in close partnership with West Berkshire Council, but in addition, we are delighted to welcome two local residents onto our Board so they more directly influence our work.”
West Berkshire Council’s Corporate Director Margaret Goldie said: “We are still very close to the Sovereign Housing Group, and will continue to work together on initiatives from domestic violence and antisocial behaviour, to a joint waiting list and the West Berkshire Partnership.”
The arrangements take effect from the end of the month, when Sovereign will announce a selection process to choose which residents are nominated. | 
