What's new

3 July 2009

Financial briefing note: Ministerial announcement on the outcome of the Review of Council Housing Finance

Network briefing by Steve Partridge covering the announcement on 30 June by the Housing Minister John Healey

3 July 2009

TSA funding to recognise and promote best practice and innovation

A new project to identify and promote best practice by social housing providers in England has been launched by the TSA. HA’s, LA’s and ALMOs are invited to make bids of up to £9,000 to support the development of agreements between landlords and their tenants to develop 'local deals'

3 July 2009

Inspection report

Berwickshire Housing Association - The Scottish Housing Regulator has awarded the association a 'fair' rating overall

3 July 2009

Short notice inspection

Family Mosaic Housing Association -

3 July 2009

Inspection report

Luton Borough Council - Landlord services

3 July 2009

Inspection report

Craven District Council - Strategic housing services

3 July 2009

Inspection report

East Dorset District Council - Strategic housing services

3 July 2009

Inspection report

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council - Supporting people re-inspection

3 July 2009

A minimum income standard for Britain in 2009

This Joseph Rowntree study updates 2008’s innovative research, based on what members of the public thought people need for an acceptable minimum standard of living

3 July 2009

Measuring and reporting value for money gains: a guide to compiling the data for National Indicator 179

All councils are required to report the total value for money (VfM) gains they have achieved through National Indicator 179. This guidance sets out the basic principles and requirements for measuring and reporting VfM gains, along with information on the efficiency agenda for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review period

3 July 2009

Code for Sustainable Homes: Technical guide - May 2009 Version 2

This technical guidance sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process by which a Code assessment is reached. It aims to make gaining a Code assessment as simple, transparent and rigorous as possible

3 July 2009

John Healey announces radical dismantling of council housing finance

Councils will be able to keep all their rental income and gain the freedom to manage their housing to meet local need under plans unveiled by John Healey

3 July 2009

Local authority capital expenditure and receipts, England: 2009-10 capital forecast

The latest national statistics on the forecast figures of local authority capital expenditure and receipts in the financial year April 2009 to March 2010 has now been released

3 July 2009

Capping administration charges for equity share and loan arrangements offered by housing authorities - a consultation paper

The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 introduced provisions for housing authorities to take an equity share or offer an equity loan to enable their leaseholders to meet the service charge bills relating to their flats. This consultation paper seeks views on whether there should be a cap on administration fees charged by housing authorities on such arrangements, the issues surrounding capping and the appropriate level of any cap. Consultation closes 23.9.09

2 July 2009

SEN launches the enabling affordable housing online resource

Available to members of the Strategic Excellence Network (SEN), this web-based toolkit assists local authorities to successfully develop and manage the enabling process

30 June 2009

Short notice inspection

Circle 33 Housing Trust - Responsive repairs, gas servicing and income management

30 June 2009

HCA welcomes new money and focuses on immediate delivery

The HCA is ready to begin delivering a significantly enlarged programme of public house building immediately, the Agency’s chief executive has confirmed. The HCA, responsible for housing and regeneration delivery in England, will take responsibility for an additional £1.5bn channelled into affordable housing over the next two years, following the announcement on Building Britain’s Future by the Prime Minister

30 June 2009

Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics - May 2009

The Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics 'housing live table' gives information on the number of households approaching local authorities with mortgage difficulties and households applying and accepted for the scheme

30 June 2009

Healey announces major plans for more homes and fairer lettings to meet local needs

As part of the Government's Building Britain's Future plans, Housing Minister John Healey has said that construction of thousands of extra homes will begin in a matter of months, thanks to the £1.5 billion pound housing investment announced by the Prime Minister

30 June 2009

HQN briefing on the Equality Bill and the Equality Framework for Local Government

Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager sets out the main points of the bill with relevance to social landlords, such as the new public duty to promote equality for all the six diversity strands as well as a new duty to take account of the need to tackle socio-economic disadvantage in strategic planning

25 June 2009

What is needed to end child poverty in Wales?

This Joseph Rowntree study discusses progress made in Wales to end child poverty, and suggests what the Welsh Assembly Government could do to reach the 2020 target

25 June 2009

Place Survey: England - Headline Results 2008

The 2008 Place Survey provides information on people's perceptions of their local area and the local services they receive. This release summarises the headline findings for England and Government Office regions with results for individual local authorities shown in the accompanying tables

25 June 2009

John Denham: Making every pound work harder

Responsive and effective local councils will be key to giving taxpayers real value for money, Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham has said

25 June 2009

Survey signals time to strengthen local government

A major new national survey on what people think of their local area and council demonstrates the importance of renewing local democracy, said Communities Secretary John Denham

25 June 2009

Housing Benefits inspection report

Milton Keynes Council - Benefits services inspection

25 June 2009

The Governor

Click above to view the first issue of a major new publication from HQN – The Governor.

Why have we produced this magazine? It’s simple. Governance is about the most exciting issue in the world today. Pick up any newspaper and it will be chock-full of the failings of leaders. But there are many examples of strong, good governance out there, too. We want to celebrate those – and help you avoid the bear traps.

The Governor is going to be a regular publication – if you want to receive further editions, you need to sign up. Please email your name, job title, organisation and contact details to hqn@hqnetwork.co.uk with the words 'The Governor' in the subject line

25 June 2009

Positive practice information

Identified at inspection by the Audit Commission

23 June 2009

Efficiency in housing income management

Network briefing paper by Tony Newman which forms part of a series of HQN briefings on efficiency in social housing

22 June 2009

Understanding attitudes to tackling economic inequality

Joseph Rowntree research on public attitudes to inequality has tended to focus more on revealing attitudes than exploring what motivates them. This study aims to fill some of the gaps in existing research to provide useful insights for practitioners and policy-makers

22 June 2009

Extra legal help for struggling homeowners

Housing Minister John Healey has announced more help for families facing repossession of their home with the doubling of extra funding for free, on-the-spot, legal advice in courts

22 June 2009

Room for improvement: a review of strategic asset management

This report follows up on the Audit Commission report Hot Property (2000), and reveals that councils have made only modest progress in improving the management of their estate - worth an estimated £250 billion in 2008 - over the last ten years. The report also finds central government partly to blame, by sending local government mixed messages: calling on councils to rationalise assets, to improve buildings and offices, and to share assets with the community

19 June 2009

Growing up in social housing in Britain: A profile of four generations from 1946 to the present day

This Joseph Rowntree study describes how housing for families has changed over time and explores the relationship between social housing, family circumstances and the 'adult outcomes' for children who grew up in social housing – ie, their experiences when they are adults

19 June 2009

Chartered Institute for Housing conference

Speech by The Rt Hon John Healey MP, Minister for Housing

19 June 2009

Greater flexibility for planning permissions: Consultation

This consultation invites views on whether to introduce a mechanism for extending the time limits for implementation of existing planning permissions, and to consider how to implement the procedure for making non-material amendments under section 190 of the Planning Act 2008. Consultation closes 13.8.09

19 June 2009

John Healey: Action to help developers during downturn and build greener buildings

Developers will be given more time to start building and further flexibility to adapt plans, under a package of new measures announced by Housing Minister John Healey to support the industry during these tough economic times

19 June 2009

Inspection report

Bridgewater Housing Association - The Scottish Housing Regulator has awarded the council a 'good' rating

18 June 2009

Inspection report

Wealden District Council - Strategic housing services

18 June 2009

Inspection report

Kingfisher Housing Association - Housing management services

18 June 2009

Inspection report

Tor Homes - Housing management services

18 June 2009

Decent Homes - the next steps?

Network briefing by Sheila Camp looks at the aims of the report; 'Towards a successor standard to Decent Homes', the key areas for a new standard, areas to be excluded/tackled locally and the next steps

17 June 2009

Getting it right, and righting the wrongs - Practitioners' Toolkit

This toolkit is intended to be a practical aid to help councils work with customers and other partners to identify key issues for improvement in both their service provision and systems of redress

17 June 2009

Getting it right, and righting the wrongs

In Communities in control: real people, real power the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government promised to commission a review into redress for citizens when their council services fail to meet agreed standards. David Cook, Chief Executive of Kettering Borough Council, chaired this independent review and looked at the experience of service and redress provision from the customer's viewpoint

17 June 2009

Getting it right, and righting the wrongs

Communities Minister Shahid Malik has called on all local councils to get it right first time to ensure the public receive the modern service they expect

16 June 2009

What does excellence look like? Resident involvement

Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008. This briefing covers resident involvement

12 June 2009

Short notice inspection

Aldwyck Housing Association - Capital improvement, planned and cyclical maintenance and major works; Responsive repairs; and void management

12 June 2009

Number of households accepted as homeless down by more than a quarter

New national figures released today show the number of people accepted as homeless by local authorities is down 26% from the same time last year

12 June 2009

Inspection report

Redbridge Homes (ALMO) - London Borough of Redbridge

12 June 2009

Inspection report

Boston Borough Council - Strategic housing inspection

12 June 2009

Inspection report

West Lindsey District Council - Strategic housing services

12 June 2009

Inspection report

Rugby Borough Council - Landlord services

12 June 2009

Appetite for new investment opportunity confirmed by expressions of interest

A new initiative which could see hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new investment into the private rented housing sector has received 64 expressions of interest, the Homes and Communities Agency have announced

12 June 2009

Statutory Homelessness: 1st Quarter (January to March) 2009, England

The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the first quarter (January to March) 2009

11 June 2009

Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill: a commentary

Network briefing by Dave Alexander on the draft Scottish Housing Bill which is the subject of current consultation. The briefing looks at the proposals in detail, and offers a commentary on the consultation questions posed by the government

11 June 2009

Living Working Countryside: The Government Response to The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing

Network briefing paper by Vanessa Morton analyses the government’s recent response to the findings of the Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, Living Working Countryside, published last July

10 June 2009

State of the nation: homelessness

Network briefing by Sheila Spencer which provides organisations with a round-up of the key issues for local authorities and housing providers when planning how best to prevent and respond to homelessness

9 June 2009

Country's greenest development gets go ahead

England’s first large-scale development to be built to Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, has been given the green light to move ahead. Barratt Developments Plc and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have received planning permission to build 195 zero-carbon homes as part of the Hanham Hall ‘eco village’ in South Gloucestershire

9 June 2009

House Price Index - April 2009

The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

9 June 2009

27,000 tenants help determine the future of social housing

TSA launches the findings of largest ever consultation and proposals for draft standards

9 June 2009

Inspection report

Berneslai Homes ALMO - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

9 June 2009

Inspection report

Stevenage Homes ALMO - Stevenage Borough Council

4 June 2009

Recession in Wales: nearly half the unemployed are under twenty five

New poverty calculations for Wales show that, as of the latest figures, 45% of unemployed people in Wales are under twenty five. Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Wales 2009, by the New Policy Institute for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, identifies trends in poverty statistics over the last ten years

4 June 2009

Short notice inspection

Magna Housing Association - Decent Homes programme and anti-social behaviour

4 June 2009

Short notice inspection

Pavilion Housing Association - Resident involvement and estate management

4 June 2009

Neighbourhood Management

Neighbourhood Management is an approach that enables local communities and service providers to work together at a neighbourhood level to improve services and quality of life

4 June 2009

Impact Assessment of regulation of letting and management agents by an independent body

This Impact Assessment covers the key regulatory proposal in the government's response to the Rugg Review, for the regulation of letting and managment agents by an independent body

4 June 2009

Impact Assessment of a national register for landlords

This Impact Assessment covers the key regulatory proposal in the government's response to the Rugg Review, for a national register of private sector landlords

3 June 2009

Domestic abuse and older adults: what should housing providers be doing?

Complimentary ACEnet briefing by Helena Taylor Knox on the difficult subject of domestic abuse

2 June 2009

Child poverty in Scotland: taking the next steps

This study discusses progress made in Scotland to end child poverty, and suggests what the Scottish Government needs to do to reach the 2020 target

2 June 2009

Empowering communities to influence local decision making - A systematic review of the evidence

This study used a robust, replicable method to systematically review the domestic and international evidence base around community empowerment. The aim of the review was to make sense of variable and often competing or contrasting evidence in order to identify which mechanisms empower; in what ways, and in what contexts

2 June 2009

Communities Progress Report

In July 2008 the government published the White Paper Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power which aims to pass power into the hands of local communities. This progress report sets out progress made since the publication of the White Paper and provides a timeline for future implementation

2 June 2009

Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics - April 2009

The Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics 'housing live table' gives information on the number of households approaching local authorities with mortgage difficulties and households applying and accepted for the scheme

2 June 2009

Empowering communities to influence local decision making - Evidence-based lessons for policy makers and practitioners

This CLG report draws on a systematic review of community empowerment to provide evidence-based lessons for policy makers and practitioners

29 May 2009

Don't get caught in the regulation funding loop

For assistance with board appraisal and training, governance, performance improvement, inspection, business planning, options appraisals and funding solutions HQN is available to help at all stops

29 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Sadeh Lok Housing Association Limited - short notice inspection of income management and resident involvement

29 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Calico Housing - short notice inspection of responsive repairs and voids/lettings

29 May 2009

Inspection report

NomadE5 Housing Association - Housing management services

28 May 2009

Tolerated trespass – moving on

Network briefing by Tim Horsley which explains the legislation in more detail and provides practical tips to help social landlords to comply with the legislation

26 May 2009

Complaints/compliments toolkit

The Network's popular self-assessment toolkit by Gill Stead

26 May 2009

Tolerated trespass – the end

Two Statutory Instruments have now been passed in Parliament that finally brought an end to tolerated trespass on Wednesday 20 May 2009. Network briefing by Tim Horsley clarifies and explains the legislation

26 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Family Housing Association - short notice inspection of repairs and home improvement services

26 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Trident Housing Association - short notice inspection of voids, rent arrears and resident involvement

26 May 2009

Inspection report

Manchester and District Housing Association - Housing management services

26 May 2009

Inspection report

Leicester City Council - Housing benefit

22 May 2009

Planning Policy Statement - Consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies

This consultation paper seeks views on combining all national planning policy on economic development in urban and rural areas and town centres into one consolidated and streamlined Planning Policy Statement (PPS). Consultation closes 28 July 2009

22 May 2009

Tolerated Trespassers: Guidance for social landlords

This guidance is designed to support social landlords in implementing the tolerated trespasser provisions in section 299 and Schedule 11 to the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 and the Housing (Replacement of Terminated Tenancies) (Successor Landlords) (England) Order 2009

22 May 2009

House Building: March Quarter 2009, England

The latest national statistics on house building

22 May 2009

DSO 3.7: Overall Employment rate (working age population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas), England

The data measuring Departmental Strategic Objective 3.7: Overall Employment rate (working age population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas) have now been released

22 May 2009

Code for Sustainable Homes: Technical guide - May 2009

On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched. This technical guidance sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process by which a Code assessment is reached

22 May 2009

The Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 2009-2010 Amending Determination 2009

The Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 2009-2010 - Amending Determination 2009, together with supporting documentation

21 May 2009

Success in tackling anti-social behaviour

A major study on intensive family support projects in Scotland led by Professor Hal Pawson and undertaken by Heriot-Watt University and Sheffield Hallam University for the Scottish Government

19 May 2009

Co-regulation: What does the TSA really mean?

Network briefing by Kate Murray finds out from Peter Marsh, Roy Irwin, and chief executives

19 May 2009

Councils to lead job creation plans

Councils must be 'fully focused' on providing job creation programmes said Local Government Minister John Healey and Employment Minister Tony McNulty in response to a key economic report

19 May 2009

Housing for disabled children and their families: an information resource

A Joseph Rowntree Foundation overview of information about housing for disabled children and their families, and ideas for improving their circumstances

19 May 2009

Building (Amendment) Regulations 2009: New Part G in Schedule 1 and new minimum water efficiency requirements

The purpose of this circular letter is to bring to attention changes in respect of Part G in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations, and new minimum water efficiency requirements in new dwellings

19 May 2009

LGBT Housing reports launched

Stonewall Scotland and the Scottish Housing Regulator have jointly launched two guides for social housing providers and homelessness services

14 May 2009

Housing pathfinders face testing time as recession bites

Places in the North and Midlands, where the government has spent billions attempting to revive the housing market, are being hit hard by the recession and may struggle to recover

14 May 2009

Building Britain's future - Social enterprise to be part of £1 billion job creation drive

Social enterprises must play their part in tackling the economic downturn by creating at least 15,000 new jobs for the unemployed, funded by the government's £1 billion Future Jobs Fund, announced Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell

14 May 2009

HCA unveils cavity wall insulation funding

The HCA has published on-line guidance of how social landlords - RSLs, ALMOs and local authorities - can bid for part of the additional £84m housing funding package announced in April’s 2009 budget for cavity wall insulation

14 May 2009

The private rented sector: professionalism and quality - The government response to the Rugg Review Consultation

In January 2008, the government commissioned the Rugg review to carry out an independent review of the private rented sector. The Review's findings, set out six 'policy directions of travel' of how to raise standards and professionalism in the sector. This paper sets out the government's response and also takes into account the related recommendations made by the Law Commission

14 May 2009

World class places: The government's strategy for improving quality of place

This strategy lays out why and how quality of place matters and the practical steps the government will be taking to build on the achievements of recent years and do more to create prosperous, attractive, distinctive, inclusive and sustainable world class places

14 May 2009

John Healey confirms action to protect council taxpayers

Local Government Minister John Healey has confirmed that the government will take action to tackle excessive council tax increases set this year by two police authorities

14 May 2009

Sadiq Khan - Final chance for your views on government's new race equality strategy

Businesses, charities, voluntary groups and local authorities who have not already contributed to the government's new race equality consultation are asked to come forward and make their views known. Consultation ends 18 May

14 May 2009

"Promising start" in clearing backlog of unsold housing association homes

Housing associations have made a promising start in clearing the backlog of unsold shared ownership properties, according to the latest figures from the Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

14 May 2009

TSA publishes a discussion paper on consent to disposals of dwellings under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008

The discussion paper explains how the new Act has set objectives for TSA and reduced the categories of disposal that require consent. This has prompted the TSA to review their policy on disposals and their use of general consents. Consultation closes 15 June 2009

14 May 2009

HCA guidance published to help partners with Single Conversation

The HCA has published guidance to help its partners deliver the aims of the agency’s new business process – the Single Conversation - to create affordable, well served, enjoyable and attractive places where people want to live

14 May 2009

Enhanced hot water safety and efficiency measures for all new homes

All new homes will feature inbuilt protection from hot water scalding in baths and will use water more efficiently under measures announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright

14 May 2009

Houses in multiple occupation and possible planning responses: Consultation

A consultation document seeking views on three options for addressing the impact of high concentrations of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Consultation closes 7 August 2009

14 May 2009

Real help for tenants - Margaret Beckett

A major new package of measures to strengthen consumer protections for tenants living in private rented accommodation has been announced by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett

14 May 2009

Code for Sustainable Homes: Technical guide - May 2009

On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched. This technical guidance sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process by which a Code assessment is reached. It aims to make gaining a Code assessment as simple, transparent and rigorous as possible

13 May 2009

The Scottish Government’s agenda for funding new affordable housing: The Affordable Housing Investment Reform Project

Network briefing by HQN Associate Anna Evans, summarises the presentations at HQN’s recent conference which explored the Scottish Government’s agenda for affordable housing

12 May 2009

Social Lettings Tables - adjusted for missing local authority landlord data - 2007/08

These CLG tables give information about the characteristics of households receiving general needs social lettings in 2007-08

12 May 2009

Park Home Site licensing - Improving the Management of Residential Park Home Sites: Consultation

This consultation builds upon decisions about proposals taken following an earlier consultation in 2005 and sets out for further consideration how a new licensing system might look. Consultation closes 4 August 2009

12 May 2009

House Price Index - March 2009

The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

12 May 2009

Count of Gypsy and Traveller Caravans - January 2009

The bi-annual Count of Gypsy and Traveller Caravans takes place twice a year and records the number of caravans on both authorised and unauthorised sites across England

12 May 2009

Right to enfranchise (RTE) provisions: a consultation

This CLG consultation paper sets out the issues that have arisen in relation to the implementation of the Right to Enfranchise (RTE) provisions in the 2002 Act. Its aim is to seek views on the options that have been identified for how these could be dealt with and the proposal for the non-implementation and repeal of these provisions. Consultation closes 3 August 2009

12 May 2009

New government vision for regeneration sector

A new framework for regeneration that will help the sector push through the downturn has been announced by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears in a speech to the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA)

11 May 2009

Housing Benefit toolkit for social housing providers

The Network's popular self-assessment toolkit by Sue Beasor

8 May 2009

HCA unveils housing package details

The HCA has published on-line guidance of how developers and local authorities can bid for two elements of the additional £635m housing funding package announced in April’s Budget

8 May 2009

Housing and Planning Key Facts - May 2009

This CLG quick reference leaflet is published quarterly and contains a snapshot of the main housing and planning data. Detailed housing and planning data may be found in the live tables

7 May 2009

Mayor of London and HCA invest £16m to 'kick start' development

The HCA London Board, chaired by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has agreed to invest over £16m in the latest two projects from its programme to ‘kick start’ developments in London that have been affected by the economic downturn

7 May 2009

Proposed changes to the delivery of local authorities' and FRAs' freedoms and flexibilities after the introduction of CAA

This CLG consultation paper, aimed at English local authorities and fire and rescue authorities, their partners and stakeholders, includes proposals to reduce or simplify the requirement to create plans for central government on issues such as local transport, youth justice and air quality; extend the power to trade for profit to all English councils and fire and rescue authorities, enabling them to offer a broad range of services such as in building, highways and vehicle maintenance; and allow councils to spend any income from environmental fixed penalty notices as they see fit

7 May 2009

Long-term plans for growth in the South East unveiled

A strategy for delivering the new homes, jobs and infrastructure the South East needs until 2026 has been announced by Communities Minister Sadiq Khan

7 May 2009

Planning Policy Statement - Consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies

This consultation paper seeks views on combining all national planning policy on economic development in urban and rural areas and town centres into one consolidated and streamlined Planning Policy Statement (PPS). Closing date for the consultation is 28.7.09

7 May 2009

Hazel Blears: Local people key to unlocking greater savings

Councils must listen to the views of local people to work smarter and make greater efficiency savings, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced

7 May 2009

Loan Portfolio Return 2009

The Loan Portfolio system is now open for 2009 submissions. It will remain open until the end of September and data should be submitted, as normal, using the online system

7 May 2009

Councils need to improve their asset management

An Audit Scotland report, asset management in local government, looks at how councils manage their property assets. It says that only around half of the local authorities have a council-wide strategy for this and although there is some good management information available it is not always used to support decision-making

7 May 2009

It's time to get real... Use mystery shopping and reality checking to check what your services are really like

Whether you are preparing for inspection or looking to drive service improvement, HQN offers a cost effective, credible and independent health check of your front line housing services designed to complement your existing performance management mechanisms and quality checks

6 May 2009

Supporting or evicting – the best way to manage arrears in the current economic climate

Network briefing by Sheila Stubbins looks at the potential effects of the current economic climate on social housing arrears

5 May 2009

Positive practice information

Identified at inspection by the Audit Commission

1 May 2009

Inspection report

Wycombe District Council - Strategic housing service

1 May 2009

Inspection report

North Devon District Council - Strategic housing service

1 May 2009

Inspection report

Adactus Housing Association - Housing management service

1 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Sadeh Lok Housing Association Limited - Short notice inspection of income management and resident involvement

1 May 2009

Short notice inspection report

Raglan Housing Association Limited - Short notice inspection of responsive repairs, repairs to empty homes, and gas servicing

29 April 2009

Funky office pads complete in the Ouseburn Valley

A derelict industrial area in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley has been brought back to life by regeneration specialist Priority Sites with its speculative 23,668 sq ft office development

29 April 2009

Sustainable Communities Act 2007: Local Spending Report England 2006-07

The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 places a requirement on the Secretary of State to make arrangements for the production of local spending reports. On 20 February 2009 CLG launched a consultation on the first arrangements. This is the first report which has been developed with regard to responses to the consultation

29 April 2009

Delivering Digital Inclusion: Summary of consultation responses

This report contains the findings from the analysis of the consultation

29 April 2009

Hazel Blears backs 'revolution to recycle' buildings

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has unveiled a series of measures to back a people's revolution to recycle buildings by putting real power in the hands of locals to support communities during the downturn and beyond

29 April 2009

Call on councils to help more young people into work

A £1 billion fund to stimulate councils' efforts to help people into work was hailed today as Ministers called on organisations to submit innovative bids for jobs that will make Britain a better place and improve their local community

28 April 2009

Efficiency in asset management

Network briefing by Rob McNaughton looks at how organisations can achieve efficiency when dealing with existing housing stock

28 April 2009

Guidance for short notice inspections

Network briefing by HQN associate, Ellis Blackmore, which includes ideas for the development of outcome focussed self assessment, and invites feedback on good practice which can be shared with other organisations

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Christchurch Borough Council - Strategic housing service

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Freebridge Community Housing - Housing management service

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Arun District Council - Strategic housing service

24 April 2009

Benefits inspection report

Redditch Borough Council - Benefits service

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Waveney District Council - Strategic housing service re-inspection

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Clapham Park Homes - Landlord service

24 April 2009

Short notice inspection report

Aldwyck Housing Association Limited -

24 April 2009

Inspection report

Norwich City Council - Landlord service

21 April 2009

Forty flood-hit families returning home each week

Efforts to get families back home following the 2007 summer floods continue at pace with almost 40 families returning home each week and many councils predicting that everyone in their area will be back in the next couple of months according to Floods Recovery Minister John Healey

21 April 2009

Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs)

Report finds that LSPs have 'important lessons to learn from one another'

21 April 2009

Guide to Homeowners Mortgage Support

This leaflet gives information about Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) and explains where to get more information

21 April 2009

Inspiring Communities Grant programme: Information pack for applicants

Central government is seeking applications from neighbourhood partnerships who would like to participate in the new Inspiring Communities grant programme, which is about raising the aspirations and educational attainment of local young people

21 April 2009

Housing associations to note change to the gas safety law

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has asked housing associations to note a major change in gas safety, which came into effect on 1 April 2009

20 April 2009

Inspection report

Swindon Borough Council - Housing Benefit

20 April 2009

Shift in the attitudes and behaviours of housing and regeneration organisations during the downturn

A second poll released today by the HCA Academy, the skills and expertise arm of the Homes and Communities Agency, has found a significant increase in the number of housing and regeneration professionals admitting to mounting concern about the recession

20 April 2009

Rural Affordable Housing project launched

A new initiative to provide support and advice to local authorities and their partners on the delivery of rural affordable housing has now been launched

20 April 2009

Should adult benefit for unemployment now be raised?

A Joseph Rowntree review of arguments for and against raising the value of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)

20 April 2009

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS): Treatment of service charges for residential property

This guidance is for leaseholders and tenants paying service charges but will also be of interest to landlords, managing agents, resident management companies and others charged with the collection of service charge monies

20 April 2009

Summary Report: Understanding Muslim Ethnic Communities

This report synthesises the findings of separate research and reports on 13 Muslim ethnic communities in England undertaken for Communities and Local Government in 2008

20 April 2009

Draft amending HRA Subsidy Determination relating to administration of rent reduction

Complimentary hf:expert technical briefing by Hilary Vaughan following the latest clarification from CLG which came out the day before the Easter break

17 April 2009

House Price index – February 2009

The latest UK house price index statistics produced by CLG based on mortgage completions during the month of February 2009

17 April 2009

Home and Community Energy Advisors

Notice by CLG that adverts for courses relating to Home Energy Advisors and Community Energy Advisers are premature. National Occupational Standards are being developed and there is currently a consultation exercise running for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) initiative and the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP). It will not be possible to finalise the role of these advisers and the qualification until after the consultation exercise has been concluded

16 April 2009

Inspection report

Drum Housing Association - Housing Management Service

16 April 2009

Inspection report

Northumberland County Council - Supporting People

16 April 2009

Homes and Communities Agency delivers despite downturn

Preliminary end of year results show that the HCA delivered some 50,000 new, affordable homes across England and hit its target to invest £3.9bn on its national housing and regeneration programme in 2008/09. Despite the downturn the agency has been able to increase the number of completed rental and low cost home ownership (LCHO) properties as well as the number of rental starts compared with last financial year

16 April 2009

Diverse interventions – our single equality scheme

Homes and Communities Agency consultation paper sets out the Homes and Communities Agency’s vision for the delivery of equality, diversity and cohesion for the next two years. Feedback on the draft scheme by completing an on line survey is requested by midday on Thursday 21 May 2009

15 April 2009

Inspection report

Swindon Borough Council - Benefits service

15 April 2009

Real help for North West and North East through £12m Moneymadeclear service pathfinder

HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) today launched Moneymadeclear, a service offering practical and impartial help and information on money matters for people in the North East and North West of England. The new service aims to help people tackle their money worries and make informed financial decisions with confidence, whether it’s avoiding debt problems, coping with a change in circumstances, or preparing for the future

15 April 2009

Planning Act 2008: Impact Assessment of transitional/savings provisions for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)

This impact assessment considers whether transitional provisions are needed for a limited period after the new planning regime commences, so that consultations already carried out do not need to be repeated solely for the purpose of compliance

15 April 2009

Housing allocations: Members of the Armed Forces

This circular provides guidance for local authorities when framing their allocation scheme to provide for applications from serving and former members of the Armed Forces and gives effect to a commitment in a command paper issued by the Ministry of Defence in July 2008. Housing authorities are required to have regard to the guidance in exercising their functions under Part 6 of the 1996 Act

15 April 2009

Short notice inspection

Family Housing Association Birmingham Limited - short notice inspection of repairs and home improvement services

14 April 2009

Demonstrating sustainability of housing organisations

Network briefing by Richard Lupo describes the benefit of demonstrating sustainability for a social housing provider

9 April 2009

Home Information Packs: Guidance for Enforcement Officers

CLG guidance on the Home Information Pack duties in the Housing Act 2004 and secondary legislation made under the Act is aimed primarily at those who have responsibility for enforcing the duties under the Act, including local authority trading standards officers and the Office of Fair Trading

9 April 2009

Low cost home ownership and the credit crunch

TSA study exploring the nature of regional markets for low-cost home ownership offered by housing associations since the downturn. It also clarifies the impact of private developer shared equity schemes on housing associations and the degree to which they are competing with these schemes

9 April 2009

LinkAge Plus: Capacity building – enabling and empowering older people as independent and active citizens

DWP report evaluating a pilot of LinkAge Plus, a programme that has brought local authorities together with their partners in health and the voluntary and community sector to find innovative ways to break down traditional organisational and financial barriers and to join up services for older people

9 April 2009

Securing Homes - Action Against Burglary

Home Office Action Plan that sets out details of the Securing Homes programme. The Action Plan is supported by £15m funding for 2009/10

8 April 2009

Overcoming poverty and its links to place

Network briefing paper, by Chris Bowen, explains the background to poverty and social mobility and how various factors influence people’s ability to achieve their full potential in life

7 April 2009

The methodology to be used for the pilot of short notice inspections in local authority housing services and ALMOs has been published

In October 2008 the Audit Commission launched a consultation exercise on proposals for short notice inspections of local authority housing services and arm’s length management organisations (ALMOs). In light of responses to that consultation, the methodology to be used in a pilot programme of inspections is now published

There will be a programme of up to eight pilot inspections running from March to July 2009. These will be focused on councils and ALMOs that have volunteered to take part. The outcomes from this programme will be considered by the Audit Commission Board later in the year to decide whether short notice inspections of local authorities and ALMOs should feature in the forward programme of housing inspections

7 April 2009

The Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme

This guidance contains detailed operational administrative procedures for registered social landlords or their wholly-owned subsidiaries (“registered social landlords”) and the Scottish Government on the operation of the Open Market Shared Equity pilot scheme

7 April 2009

Councils to develop new ways to keep their citizens better informed

A mix of councils in rural and urban areas are sharing £620,000 to pilot schemes that provide better local information for an estimated one million people, ranging from crime maps in Gloucestershire to a website for parents and carers of disabled children in Cambridgeshire

Chapter 3 of the 2008 White Paper, Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power, published in July 2008, set out how the government would help local authorities to provide better information to their citizens on local services, performance and opportunities to get involved in their local areas. The Timely Information to Citizens project was set up to take this forward

A second round of pilots will be announced in May. The majority of pilots are expected to be up and running by summer 2009 and will be subjected to an independent evaluation which will report in 2010, feeding back the lessons learnt into the good practice toolkit for the benefit of other local authorities

7 April 2009

Development prospects

Summary of a presentation provided by Anna Evans on housing development prospects given at HQN’s Scottish spring 2009 conference

7 April 2009

Help for disabled homeowners

A nationwide scheme which helps disabled people carry out essential home adaptations has been enhanced. Changes arising from the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 will trigger a simpler and fairer system of financial help. For people assessed as needing essential adaptations, local authorities must give a grant of 80% of the cost, or 100% for people on the lowest incomes. There are no longer any arbitrary limits on the amount of grant that can be provided

7 April 2009

Scottish Government publications

Reid Howie Associates was commissioned by the Scottish Government in Summer 2008 to carry out an evaluation of a pilot advice service on disability issues provided by Ownership Options for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) taking part in Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government) funded shared equity provision in Scotland. The pilot service provided advice, support and guidance to RSLs across Scotland, to try to maximise the impact of the development of the 'Homestake' shared equity schemes on the housing circumstances of disabled people. The evaluation took place from June - August 2008

7 April 2009

Department for Work and Pensions - Adjudication and operations circulars 2009

This page gives links to all DWP's adjudication and operations circulars for 2009. It is aimed at all housing benefit and council tax benefit staff

The following circular has been added:
A10/2009: The Social Security (Use of Information for Housing Benefit and Welfare Services Purposes) Regulations 2008

7 April 2009

Gypsies/Travellers in Scotland: The Twice Yearly Count - No. 14: July 2008

Gypsies/Travellers in Scotland - the Twice yearly count - No. 14: July 2008
Published 31 March 2009

7 April 2009

The SPP sets out the Scottish Government's planning policy on different types of development and on environmental issues

Consultation has begun on the new Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). It sets out the Scottish Government's planning policy on different types of development and on environmental issues. This new, shorter SPP will replace seventeen existing policy documents, making policy easier to understand and interpret. The deadline for written responses to this consultation paper is Wednesday 24 June

7 April 2009

Further help for first time buyers

The Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme is being expanded from ten council areas to the whole of Scotland. A substantially increased budget of £60m - up from £24m - is expected to help around 1,500 households to buy through the scheme this year. The scheme is part of the Scottish Government's Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers, to help people on low to moderate incomes buy an affordable home where that is sustainable for them

7 April 2009

Early warning on homelessness

From the 1 April 2009, councils across Scotland have to be notified of any families facing the threat of homelessness through eviction or repossession. The Homelessness (Scotland) Act 2003 require landlords and creditors to inform the local authority when they take action to recover property or call in a mortgage. The aim is to prevent homelessness by allowing a council to contact affected households with the offer of appropriate support, including money advice

7 April 2009

Circular 03/09: Costs awards in appeals and other planning proceedings

This circular provides updated guidance on the award of costs in England in proceedings under the Planning Acts. It compliments legislative amendments designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning appeals system. The guidance in this circular applies to appeals made and other proceedings initiated on or after 6 April 2009