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The Cronx
The latest merged housing association reveals its name and Gavin Barwell gets his video camera out
As most people in the sector are well aware this year, like last year, is the year of the merger. But being the year of the merger also makes it the year of the updated housing association branding, which is providing us with lots of easy targets for mickey-taking.
First Karbon Homes kaught a lot of flack on Twitter for its modern and distinctive K. Then VIVID got ribbed for leaving its caps lock on (an unfortunate mistake, which can happen to the best of us – ed, INSIDE HOUSING).
@insidehousing @ClosedCircuitIH .@ClosedCircuitIH @InsideHousing thanks for the mention. As for using capital letters in VIVID? Well we’re not alone; Keep up the good work! pic.twitter.com/4KcvTvYYyd
— VIVID (@WeAreVIVIDhome).@ClosedCircuitIH @InsideHousing thanks for the mention. As for using capital letters in VIVID? Well we're not alone; Keep up the good work! pic.twitter.com/4KcvTvYYyd
— VIVID (@WeAreVIVIDhomes) May 2, 2017
So this week, we eagerly awaited the new name of Amicus Horizon and Viridian and the opportunity for more merriment. Sadly, their new name, Optivo, is totally fine and doesn’t merit any joking whatsoever. Closed Circuit wishes them all the best in their bid to provide affordable eyewash to the people of London.
Good old Gavin Barwell has made it pretty clear that he is bang up for building more homes in England. He certainly should be, since Theresa May has tasked him with getting 1.5 million of them out of the ground by 2022.
Today I spoke up for Shirley, and gave evidence about #CroydonCouncil’s flawed Local Plan - here’s why it’s so important: pic.twitter.com/o4G1WUR8OJ
— Gavin Barwell (@BackBarwell)
Today I spoke up for Shirley, and gave evidence about #Croydon Council's flawed Local Plan - here's why it's so important: pic.twitter.com/o4G1WUR8OJ
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) May 22, 2017
One thing we have learned this week though is they won’t be built on metropolitan open land. The housing minister pinned a video to the top of his Twitter page announcing that the council’s decision to do so in Shirley, Croydon, was “a mistake”.
Now, to be entirely fair, Mr Barwell has long been on record about his opposition to this development and doesn’t shy away from justifying it. But Closed Circuit will, however, watch closely to see if the same standard is applied to other developments. It would be a shame to be motivated by their controversial status in his marginal constituency three weeks before the election than firmly held principles.
But this was not Mr Barwell’s only video this week – he also has a poke at London mayor Sadiq Khan who was heading down to Croydon to do some campaigning for the Labour Party, despite the positive relationship he has enjoyed with the housing minister in recent months.
Morning @SadiqKhan - a little welcome message from me in advance of your trip to #Croydon this morning. Hope you have a great time! #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/qpScZULgY9
— Gavin Barwell (@BackBarwell)
Morning @SadiqKhan - a little welcome message from me in advance of your trip to #Croydon this morning. Hope you have a great time! #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/qpScZULgY9
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) May 16, 2017
“I was really thrilled when I heard you were coming down. You’ve been going round London over the last few weeks saying lots of nice things about me, but I never thought in an election campaign you would come down and support me,” joshed Mr Barwell, before going full-on grime artist and welcoming Mr Khan to “the Cronx” (urban dictionary: Croydon).
Again, Closed Circuit assumes Mr Barwell will remember this cuts both ways in the next mayoral campaign.
