Issue - meetings

To adopt the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25 (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which sought adoption of the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing presented the report, and the following issues were raised:

·       Would there be any staffing or finance implications as a result of the establishment of the required housing groups and roles?

o   The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing stated that as a result of the programme and transformation work, new officers had been employed on a temporary basis.  All of the other work had been absorbed by the current staff.  It was an issue that officers and members were aware of, and once all the projects and work had bedded in, it may well impact on the staffing structure in the future.

DECISION:

1)    That the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25 be adopted. 

2)    That minor operational amendments to the Framework be delegated to the Assistant Director – Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.  

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – to not adopt the Framework.  This was not recommended as it was necessary to evidence the arrangements in place for governance as part of meeting the requirements of the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. 

Reasons for decision:

·       As a responsible social landlord, the Council was required to have robust governance arrangements in place to monitor and scrutinise the management of the Housing Landlord Service. The Regulator of Social Housing would consider the effectiveness of governance arrangements as part of their programmed inspection of the Council as a registered provider).

To consider the adoption of a Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25 (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director Housing which asked members to consider the adoption of a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25.

The Housing Transformation Programme Manager introduced the report which included the following main points:

• That the Regulator of Social Housing, with its adoption of a co-regulatory approach, held Councillors to account for ensuring that the Council, in its role as a registered provider of social housing, delivered the outcomes of the consumer standards;
• Feedback received from the LGA Social Housing Management Peer Challenge 2022 and the Council Peer Challenge in 2023 had recommended a review of the HRA governance arrangements;
• A framework had therefore been drafted which set out the newly established governance arrangements for the Housing Landlord Service which included:
  • Controls and assurance;
  • Roles and responsibilities;
  • Performance Monitoring; and
  • Financial viability of the HRA.
• The Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/2025 was at Appendix A;
• The Equality Impact Assessment was at Appendix B;
• A summary of the HRA Governance Framework was at Appendix C;
• The following information, detailed within the report, was outlined by way of a presentation and appended to the minutes:
  • The journey, from the LGA Social Housing Management Peer Challenge through to the drafting of the HRA Governance Framework;
  • Additional levels of governance;
  • New HRA governance arrangements;
  • Responsible persons; and
  • Tenant security and influence.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members queried whether the consumer standards applied to all providers of social housing.
  • The Housing Transformation Programme Manager responded that from April 2024, social housing providers with a minimum of 1000 units were subject to a programmed inspection every four years, with an inspection notice period of six weeks.

• Members queried when the focus groups would take place. Concern was expressed how to engage residents where facilities were not available to host face-to-face meetings in the rural areas of the district.
  • The Housing Transformation Programme Manager responded that:
    • Regarding focus groups: a member focus group had been arranged for the following week, an ‘in person’ session with tenants had taken place, and an online session with tenants was imminent; and
    • Regarding tenant engagement: national specialists in this area, ‘Tpas’, had been appointed by the council for this work. Every tenant had been contacted by letter, and where available, also by text and email. The greatest attendance/engagement had taken place at online sessions however a variety of face-to-face sessions were also taking/to take place in centres around the district.

AGREED:

a)    That the Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework: Housing Landlord Services 2024/25 be supported and recommended to Cabinet for adoption; and

b)    That delegation of minor operational amendments to the Framework to be given to the Assistant Director – Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, be supported and recommended to Cabinet.