CHARTER Community Housing Association, which controls about 4,000 former council houses in north Oxfordshire, is looking for a partner organisation to help with development plans.

The announcement was made last week after board members considered the future direction and strategy of the organisation.

The move comes in the wake of the Housing Corporation's decision in February to place Charter under supervision over concerns about its governance and long-term business plan.

Chairman Andrew Lovegrove said: "Great strides have been made since Charter was placed under supervision.

"We have strengthened the board and senior management team and now have a new business plan that is being closely monitored against the expectations of the Housing Corporation.

"However, we have concluded that we must strengthen our position and that the best way to develop the business and to improve the services we provide to our tenants is to bring in additional resources and expertise from another organisation."

Mr Lovegrove said Charter was seeking a partner in the same geographical area and one which shared the organisation's aims, values, and culture.

He said: "We now have many strengths to offer and we are seeking a genuine partnership, not an arrangement whereby Charter is swallowed up or disbanded."

The board's first priority would be to make good promises regarding property improvements and rent increases made to tenants when Charter took over Cherwell District's housing stock in April 2004.

Charter's new business plan calls for savings to be made and for the organisation to re-double its efforts to deliver value for money.

In a statement, Charter says staff changes will be made, and there are likely to be some job losses, although it is hoped that natural wastage and retirement will account for most of these.

Charter is also promising an "open and honest" programme of communication with staff, residents, and other stakeholders throughout the partnering process.