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Liberal Democrat candidate in the race to become the first West of England mayor has pledged to set up a new state-owned housing association if elected. Stephen Williams, who was previously a Department for Communities and Local Government minister while MP for Bristol West, said the move would help meet the region’s social housing need. The combined authority is made up of Bath and North East Somerset, and Bristol and South Gloucestershire, and is one of several areas in line for major devolution following the polls in May. The West of England mayor will receive control of around £1bn in devolved funding from the government in its first four-year term. The contest is currently wide open, with bookmakers putting Mr Williams and Conservative ticket Tim Bowles neck-and-neck. “If we leave it to the private developers we will not get the right types of homes that we need,” said Mr Williams. “In order to get more homes for social rent built I am proposing that a social enterprise should be set up across the region. It will build flats for private rental to help fund homes for social rent, and be jointly owned – at least initially – by the combined authority.” He said the enterprise would be a “super-duper” housing association.

Perhaps a hare and tortoise job, but sp going in right direction now - on merit in my opinion.

Share prophets advised banking gains - with hopefully further to run over the longer term. That seemed quite sensible, and what is possibly happening.

It's plain results will show the profitability of the model - when you look around on AIM many have revenue but little left at end of day to downpay debt in growing or expand. If not before, audited results should allow investors to look forward, based on cumulative repeat revenue and profitability. Couple of good news RNSs may see substantial progress before.

For what it's worth. Think I've sorted that out in my mind - eventually. It's where Keylogic had a base, Newport, Wales, now forming part of Managed Services. Several Castleton employees still living and working from there - now advertising for staff there in IT infrastructure.

They're going somewhere again at the moment - no further drop in bid.

had a little rejig. Dropped the bid and ask and then raised the bid back up. Anyway. Not much happening at the mo pending something else from company.

and good morning Obviously wants the best to fit his Managed Services Division. Paul Sexton‏ @paulsexton82 Great article, and we are currently recruiting - IT Certifications: How Valuable Are They? (link: http://bit.ly/2orB9Hj) bit.ly/2orB9Hj #Castleton #Recruiting

It is. They're growing the brands. That's the focus. But I wouldn't expect anything great from financial results, albeit better than anticipated, following the link in the RNS. But better than anticipated is good.

And as you stress, it's all in the RNSs, so none of it is bb bull.

You pay your money and take your chance. But the forward visibility based on now longer contracted repeat revenue is reassuring - and it's no unproven product. All the acquisitions were previously successful and profitable in their own right. Now they've been brought together, fully integrated, under the reliable Castleton brand which at last count had 600 associations under their belt, and growing as we've seen. Most of their sales are by cross selling additional solutions into existing contracted customers - All adding to that repeat revenue, and on a more profitable basis. The hardest and most expensive was company integration - now done. Just moved into profit following all that, and now set to derive the benefit of that work/cost. Been told financial forecasts met, and now all that free cash can be used to pay down debt - which they've now done, and fulfil their aspirations to grow the company. And though housing is their specialism, they are also seeking to expand into commercial sales. Put all that together with the new geographical reach, and I agree the forward outlook looks safe and very positive.

It was a sales kicker event last week. Staff should be fired up - and if I was Dean I'd have a contract up my sleeve to show it can be done, after the promo. Haha - on balance, more likely to get another one soon that not.

Just a few comments from recent recruitment drive, which are supportive of ongoing company growth, not restricted to the housing and not for profit sectors. " Castleton Managed Services specialise in providing.......services to companies of all sizes throughout the UK with a particular specialism in the Social housing and not for profit sectors." "The company has ambitious growth plans" "to join our growing and highly progressive IT outsourcing team" "to give .....support to our growing customer base"

Playing bulletin board games is what you're at.

And factually, there's been a 3% rise to date in sp since trading update - call that significant if you like. The rest is on the back of other updates since 'rock bottom'.

As I said, I think there will be those waiting on the detail of audited results - normal practice. Conversely, others may choose to prejudge them positively in the light of the trading update with benefit in mind. And another contract RNS or two will feed the second group. I'm in and very patient - you and the rest of the world will do as you please.

I'm just as interested in post year end matters, because it seems we shall have left year end results well behind, and outlook. Perhaps those 'City gents' will then get off the fence, with an opportunity to value forward based on whatever prospects for growth are seen. They just told us in last few days customer base is growing - leading to more cross selling and contracted repeat revenue. UK ticking over nicely, Ireland coming on board with largest association, and looks like Australia now being tee'd up.

quote from Australia:- "If you position yourself as a leader of an industry, prepare to cop it if you don't deliver "

Do you know, I don't know. There's a surprise. 2 jobs in infrastructure, one given as managed services HQ Newport, Fareham, and the other at managed services regional HQ, Newport. Haha. Leave it alone.

Nope. Wrong, Newport Fareham. Rushing to go away. Sorry. Grovel. New jobs anyway. Cheers.