Councils Revamp Housing: New Boards, New Beginnings

As councils adapt to a stricter regulatory environment, stock-owning councils like Kirklees, Lancaster, and Kingston are establishing housing boards to ensure compliance and improve tenant engagement. This development is seen as a positive step towards enhancing governance and accountability in the social housing sector.

The new consumer-focused regime, implemented in April 2024, mandates that social landlords must involve tenants at all decision-making levels. This move is a response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which highlighted the need for tenant voices to be heard and safety concerns to be addressed promptly [Inside Housing][CT Consultants].

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Kirklees Council

David Shepherd from Kirklees Council shared that their new housing board aims to maintain focus on housing after bringing their ALMO in-house. The board oversees housing management and ensures services meet legal and regulatory standards. It includes an independent chair, experts from various sectors, tenants, and political representatives, ensuring robust governance and tenant representation[Inside Housing].

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Lancaster Council

Lancaster’s council housing advisory group, established in September 2023, provides independent scrutiny and acts as a “critical friend” to the council. It includes cabinet members, service staff, tenants, and representatives from third sectors like North Lancashire Citizens Advice and health authorities. This group ensures that resident feedback informs council housing strategies and policies[Inside Housing].

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Kingston Council?

Kingston Council's housing services group, formed in response to regulatory changes, includes service leads and tenants. It focuses on budget goals, housing improvements, and compliance with housing regulations. The group sits atop Kingston’s resident engagement framework, overseeing more targeted sub-groups on issues like repairs and estate services[Inside Housing].

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Regulatory Changes and Their Impact

The Social Housing Regulation Act of 2024 has brought significant changes to how local authorities manage and regulate their housing stock. The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) now enforces more stringent standards, focusing on tenant safety, complaint resolution, and overall service quality. Councils must ensure compliance with consumer standards, including the Home Standard, the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, and the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard[CT Consultants].

The primary purpose of these new housing boards is to oversee the delivery of housing management and maintenance services and ensure these services are run in line with legal and regulatory requirements. These regulatory changes necessitate a more proactive approach from councils. By setting up dedicated housing boards, councils can better manage risks, ensure timely performance reporting, and engage with tenants effectively. This approach aligns with the broader goals of improving service delivery and ensuring tenant satisfaction.

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Conclusion

The establishment of housing boards by stock-owning councils marks a significant step towards improved governance and accountability in the social housing sector. These boards ensure compliance with new regulatory standards and enhance tenant engagement, ultimately leading to better service delivery. By involving a diverse range of stakeholders, councils can better address housing issues and enhance the quality of service provided to tenants.?

These developments indicate a significant transformation in how social housing is managed, highlighting the importance of tenant engagement and rigorous oversight in achieving long-term success in the sector. The proactive approach adopted by Kirklees, Lancaster, and Kingston councils exemplifies the commitment to meeting new regulatory needs while striving to improve housing management and tenant satisfaction.