EVERYTHING is flowing smoothly for local housing association Rivers.

This is reinforced in the annual report and accounts for the year ending March 31 just published by Rivers (Hillock) Housing Association Ltd.

The company, which has properties in Whitefield, is part of the Contour Housing Group which is one of the North West's biggest housing associations.

In Whitefield, Rivers manages almost 1,000 properties and has recently completed a £22 million improvement programme on the Hillock Estate.

Sheila Lever, association chairman, said: "The main focus of this financial year has been to enhance service delivery. This has been helped by the opening of a new housing office in December by the Mayor of Bury. This £150,000 scheme, which was funded by our parent company Contour, now provides superb facilities for residents.

"Our current efforts concentrate on delivering environmental improvements on the estate. We have consulted with residents to decide how best to spend £500,000 on the works and the proposals include improved car parking, vehicle access, landscaping and footpaths. The work is expected to conclude in spring 2006."

In March this year, a jointly-funded street warden service came to its conclusion and the project, supported by the association, Bury Council and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was extremely successful.

Now, Rivers is looking at ways of continuing this work by securing funding and opportunities to work with partners on areas such as crime prevention, environmental improvements and activities for young people.

The association is awaiting the results of another pilot programme which it funded with Bury Council. The research, carried out by Manchester University, investigated the impact of street lighting as a means of enhancing the community and reducing crime and disorder.

Sheila Lever added: "The directors of the estate management committee and staff have all worked hard to achieve these excellent results. We will continue to build upon these excellent foundations and work towards our vision of creating a great place to live."