Michael Gelling, campaigner for residents' rights from Runcorn, awarded OBE

Jun 18 2009 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A CAMPAIGNER for residents’ rights has been named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Michael Gelling, of Palacefields, Runcorn, Tenants’ and Residents’ Organisations of England (TAROE) chairman, was awarded the title Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to social housing.

Mr Gelling was a founding member of TAROE at its inception in 1997 and has worked in social housing for more than 30 years.

His OBE was officially announced on Saturday.

A TAROE spokesman said Mr Gelling had worked tirelessly to represent tenants and residents at local, regional and national level, to ‘ensure high quality accommodation and services at an affordable rent’.

Fresh from a conversation with John Healey, the recently appointed housing minister, Mr Gelling told the Weekly News how he discovered his nomination.

He said: “I was asked a few weeks ago whether I would mind receiving an OBE, and of course you don’t know for sure but then I received an invite in the post.

“I was very proud when I found out because as a human being it’s recognition for a huge amount of time and effort in a voluntary role.

“TAROE sits at the very top tables with the regulators and civil servants, and represents tenants right throughout the country.”

He added: “We rely on members for ideas on what to campaign for but of course we have some individual interpretation.

“We represent about 5m people and are pleased to serve.”