Report of the Director of Housing and Residential Growth attached

This report outlines the proposal for governance of the Housing service after it transfers from Northwards to the Council in July 2021. The proposal is intended to have proper oversight of housing management and maintenance services. Empower tenants and meet the requirements of the White Paper” A charter for social housing tenants”.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Housing and Residential Growth, which provided a summary of the proposals for governance of the Housing service after it transferred from Northwards to the Council in July 2021.

Key points and themes of the report included:-

·                Details of tenant engagement that had taken place, ensuring that there was a wider range of engagement with more diversity and proper representation;

·                Consideration of the level of decision making that the proposed Housing Board should have;

·                The proposal that once transferred, the housing management and maintenance service would be governed by elected members and tenants, building on existing tenant engagement processes;

·                The Board’s role and purpose, which would be similar to that of the Board of Northwards currently as it relates to housing functions, delivery and performance; and

·                Timescales for formal implementation.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:-

·                It was requested that the six Elected Member positions on the proposed Board were appointed to from Councillors who had Northwards properties within their wards;

·                There was concern that the proposed Board would not have direct operational responsibility for the housing service and essentially would be an advisory board;

·                It was felt that the transition would need to be carefully managed so that tenants did not feel they were being ignored;

·                It was suggested that the use of independent professional members on the Board, who could provide advice to tenants and Elected Members should be considered;

·                There was a discussion about the merits of independent membership of housing boards, and concerns were raised about the potential for conflicts of interest to arise for Elected Members, particularly in the absence of independent members;

·                There was concern that the proposed balance of the Board, with only four tenant representatives downplayed the tenants’ voice and it was suggested that there should be an equal number of tenant seats on the Board to Elected Members;

·                Confirmation was sought that meetings including all Councillors with Northward tenants in their wards would continue; and

·                It was suggested that when the shadow board arrangements concluded, scrutiny should have an opportunity to review how effective it had been.

The Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration confirmed that the Elected Member positions on the proposed Board would be appointed to from Councillors who had Northwards properties within their wards.  She added that a key priority over the last 12 months and also going forward would be ensuring tenants had a say and direct impact in the shaping of their service.  Any structures would be developed in partnership with tenants through an independent organisation (Shelter) to ensure that they felt that their voice was being heard and listened to. 

The Director of Housing and Residential Growth advised that part of the work programme being developed with Shelter would seek to increase the accreditation of the 26 Tenants and Residents Associations.  A new Leaseholders Group would be created along with a Sheltered Housing Group and Editorial panel, to ensure all publications that were issued were tenant filtered and co-written. 

The Leader commented that the proposals in the report had been discussed at a number of meetings and had been supported by Elected Members with Northwards tenants in their wards.  He added that regardless of the membership the proposed Board would provide significant direction to how Northwards was managed.  He commented that it would be appropriate to review the governance arrangements once the transitional phase had concluded.

The Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration agreed to consider the Committee’s suggestion for the use of independent professional members on the Board as part of further deliberations with tenants, Elected Members and Shelter as to how this could be delivered.  She added that regular meetings with Elected Members with Northwards tenants in their wards would continue to take place and agreed that if the Committee wanted to review the effectiveness of the arrangements that were being put in place between now and July then a report could be provided to a future meeting

Decision

The Committee supports the creation of a Northwards Housing Board but in doing so asks the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration to take on board the points raised around Independent Members on the Board by the Committee.