FORMER leader of Colchester Council Bill Frame has been unanimously voted in as chairman of one of the largest housing associations in Essex.Mr Frame has served for 11 years on the board of Colne Housing, the last three as vice chairman.

FORMER leader of Colchester Council Bill Frame has been unanimously voted in as chairman of one of the largest housing associations in Essex.

Mr Frame has served for 11 years on the board of Colne Housing, the last three as vice chairman.

He takes over the reins from Robert Leng who will remain on the board.

He has strong connections with affordable housing in the area and is currently chairman of Iceni Homes, a development company owned in partnership between Colne Housing, Suffolk Housing in Bury St Edmunds and Cotman Housing in Norwich.

Mr Frame paid tribute to his predecessor Mr Leng, and said he had been “instrumental” in driving the housing association forward.

“I intend to keep up his innovative agenda,” he said.

Mark Powell Davies, chief executive of Colne Housing, said: “Bill is a great supporter of Colne and the work we do. He has been with us for many years and he brings that experience now to the top job. I am looking forward to working with him in the future.”

Colne Housing owns nearly 2,000 properties in the north and mid-Essex area.