GEM Associates - Company News

In late 2002 G.E.M. Associates successfully tendered for a project with Gwynedd Council to develop on-line policies and procedures for the Housing Service, Both public and Private areas of the organisation. Gwynedd had been formed from three constituent authorities in a 1996 reorganisation and wanted to ensure that there was consistency of approach across its three main regional offices responsible for delivering a full range of housing services.

Over a period of 15 months, we reviewed all of the existing material which the organisation could provide and interviewed over forty members of staff to build up the background information from which we developed the policies and procedures. The research raised a number of issues for the Council to consider, particularly with regard to lack of formalised policies for arrears recovery and estate management and anti-social behaviour.

As the procedures were developed, a number of sessions were held with mixed groups of staff to review the work and to involve them in the development process. We also facilitated an away day in early 2004 for members of the management team to develop a strategy for their forthcoming inspection in the summer of 2004. We are pleased to report that the Council's service has improved to receive a fair rating with promising prospects for improvement, with its development of procedures being favourably noted.

The main contract has now concluded but we are contracted to maintain the procedures for the Council and this will involve visits to the organisation and meetings with staff to ensure that they can maximise their investment in the project.