Responding to changes in regulation

Governance is changing radically. Whatever happens to regulation and the TSA, the newly introduced standards and co-regulation are here to stay. This means that there is a new responsibility for landlords to ensure residents can scrutinise their activities and have the tools and the information to hold them to account. The new annual report to tenants is one such tool, the development of local standards is another – neither of these can be produced without considerable dialogue with residents.

  All social housing providers need to involve tenants and residents more in the key decisions and management of their organisations – this is fundamental to making co-regulation work.

Tenant board members have been on housing association boards for some time but often their lack of business experience and proper training leads to them being treated as what an ERSC report described as 'second class governors' compared with executive appointees and independent industry experts. All Board members need to be able to step up to the plate because the focus of any national regulatory body will be on governance and financial viability, it is absolutely understood by government that maintaining the integrity of the sector is vital to keeping private finance flowing through from the City at reasonable interest rates.  The need for that continued confidence puts a big onus on housing association board members.

Our range of governance services helps you to develop a board that can provide the strong leadership required to drive your organisation's performance and will help you develop those all important new relationships with residents and scrutiny panels. We work with you to:
  • Develop effective recruitment and remuneration strategies
  • Increase your focus on risk management and financial viability
  • Develop good working relations between the board, the executive and tenants
  • Ensure the correct policies and procedures are in place
  • Implement training and mentoring to ensure that all involved can, and are allowed, to contribute productively and positively
  • Develop co-regulation with residents and work with you and your residents to ensure that your annual report is fit for purpose
  • Assist you in setting up resident scrutiny panels and clarifying the new relationships you are developing between your officers, scrutiny panels and the board

Key features

  • Governance audit and strategic reviews
  • Benchmarking of governance practices
  • Development of improvement plans
  • Policy and procedure planning and implementation
  • Consultation with residents and stakeholders
  • Training and mentoring
  • Co-regulation – the annual report, scrutiny panels and local offers



How can we help?

To discuss your needs in strictest confidence.

Call 01732 749422 or 07796 266994
Email us here