We asked Marie Barlow some questions about her role at Rugby Borough Council.
So, Marie, what does your job involve?
I oversee the management of the Housing Services Team, which includes income management, tenancy support and our housing management function. In Rugby, we have both general needs and independent living tenancies.
I also oversee the management of the council's Lifeline service, which covers Rugby’s independent living tenancies and some private residents. The council's control centre, which runs the Lifeline service, also takes out of hours calls for departments throughout the council and are part of our emergency response plans.
My team also works closely with our Housing Advice and Benefits Team, the Property Repairs Service and the Assets Team.
What's the best part of your job?
I like seeing the difference we make to people's lives. My team provide a variety of support and services to our tenants. Helping people obtain accommodation and seeing this have a knock-on effect in their personal life in areas such as job prospects and healthy family lives is always rewarding.
And what about the worst part?
Sometimes it's not possible to give people what they want.
Can you let us know three achievements you'd like to accomplish in 2023?
- efficiencies in areas such as letting empty properties
- further success with our tenant involvement programme, building better relationships with our tenants
- increased transparency by publishing more information which is relevant to our tenants
What inspired you to take on the role of Housing Services Manager?
Twenty years ago, my first job in housing was working for Bristol City Council after I graduated from university.
When I joined, I worked in a housing office in a deprived area. I was on the front desk and dealt with all housing queries which came in - repairs, homelessness, housing allocations and benefits queries.
This gave me an overview of the sector and opened my eyes to a career in social housing.
What's your proudest achievement so far during your time working for the council?
I am extremely proud of the Housing Services Team who worked closely with the police in order to secure a closure order for one of our properties due to serious criminal activities.
This resulted in us being able to end the tenancy of the perpetrator.
I am also proud of the tenants who worked with us and the police to bring harmony to the local area.