Wales Audit Office - Housing inspections

The Wales Audit Office, the body that undertakes inspections for housing associations issued today a guide (What we look for Inspection Guide) which outlines what inspectors will be looking for when reviewing housing association performance.

The consultation paper covers specific areas within housing and deals with aspects of service that inspectors look for before arriving at a judgement on 'How Good' the service is. There are three levels of judgement which now include: Scope for considerable improvement, Good and Excellent.

The Wales Audit Office has been using Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) to help answer questions about the quality of housing services for some time now. The WTF supports the view that a revision was required with something that more closely describes what inspectors and tenants look for, and expect to find, in specific areas of housing service.

“What we look for”, links more directly with the key expectations set out in the Welsh Assembly Government Regulatory Code for Housing Associations in Wales and builds upon the experience gained by WAO inspection teams, said Steve Barry of the WAO.

You can read this document by following this link WAO

The Wales Audit Office are seeking views of stakeholders and are interested in answers to the following questions:

Does “What we look for” sufficiently cover the aspects of service important to your organisation?
Does “What we look for” sufficiently cover the issues of importance to tenants and other service users?

Your response should be received by the Wales Audit Office by 30 November 2007 to info@wao.gov.uk. or contact the Welsh Tenants Federation so that we can collate responses on tenants behalf. steve@welshtenantsfed.org.uk

Partners in participation project

Partners in participation project - Pembrokeshire Tenant Participation Strategy

Early this year, following a Welsh Assembly Government review of participation in Wales, a steering group consisting of landlords and tenants was set up to explore how they are able to develop a strategic approach to the delivery of better participation in Pembrokeshire.

Having been successful in a joint bid to the Tenant Empowerment Grant scheme with the Welsh Tenants Federation. The steering group are now seeking to develop a broader working group to develop this approach with the ultimate aim of delivering better housing service provision.

The ‘partners in participation seminars’ are being organized by tenants and landlords of the following housing service providers; Pembrokehire County Council, Pembrokeshire Housing Association; Cantref Housing Association and Gwerin Housing Association. We are seeking 4 representatives form each landlord. If you would like to come along to the events, please contact one of the landlord representatives listed below or telephone the Welsh Tenants Federation directly.

Schedule of future meetings

Friday 28th Sept - De Clare Court - Haverfordwest [Understanding the strategy. Defining shared values and exploring the scope of the strategy]
Monday, 15th October, Dewi Sant - Croft Court, Pembroke [Opportunities to get involved through formal and informal means and structures]
Wednesday, 7th November, County Hall, Haverfordwest, 1DM2 [Examining systems and processes that need to be developed including service review systems]
Tuesday, 20th November, County Hall, Haverfordwest, 1DM2 [Putting support together for tenants and landlords]
Tuesday, 4th December, Meyler House, Boardroom Haverfordwest [Developing capacity and responding to learning requirements]
Monday, 17th December, De-Clare Court - Haverfordwest [Leadership commitment]
Wednesday, 16th January 2008, Meyler House, Boardroom, Haverfordwest [Final draft of the strategy document & Social evening]

Meetings have been organised in morning and afternoon sessions as follows:

Arrival registration and overview 9:45 am sessions 1:45 afternoon

Key elements of the strategy 10:00–11:00 am sessions 14:00–15:00 afternoon
Breakaway into groups to consider actions 11:00-11:30 am 15:00–15:30 for afternoon
Group discussion on actions 12:00–12:30 16:00 – 16:30 afternoon
Refreshments / buffet 12:30–13:00 16:30–17:00 afternoon
Discussion on making connections and shared values 13:00–14:00 17:00–18:00

Close 14:00 am sessions 18:00 close for afternoon session

Refreshments, buffet and transport will be arranged via your landlord host

Through the partners in participation seminars, each constituent body will be developing action points to ensure the tenant wishes are actioned in the delivery of the strategic approach.

Where there is scope for joint working among landlord and tenants to improve opportunities for involvement, a county wide action plan will be developed.

This is an exiting time for participation with the opportunity to take the lead and make connections across service, geographic and organizational boundaries. If you want to be a part of this project, then please contact us.

If you are unable to attend any of the seminars, then don’t worry. Once the draft is complete you will be able to contribute to the strategy and action planning process via other means. In the meanwhile, the Welsh Tenants Federation will be pleased to hear from any individual or community group who may want to ensure that their issues are raised. We will guarantee that ideas and concerns are fed into the development process.

Telephone the WTF on 01685 723922 for further information

This project is sponsored by the Tenant Empowerment Grant Scheme funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Adaptations for Housing Association Tenants

The Housing Directorate of the Welsh Assembly Government has issued a consultation paper concerning the Adaptations for Housing Association Tenants. The proposals contain detail;s of changes to Physical adaptation Grants (PAGs) and the payment of Social Housing Management Grant (SHG) which meet the needs of disabled tenants of Housing Associations in Wales.

We would be interested to hear any tenants views concerning the consultation please email steve @welshtenantsfed.org.uk

The closing date for comments is 30th November 2007.
Copies of the consultation paper can be found at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/consultation/adaptationsforhousingassoco/?lang=en

Welsh Homelessness Awards 2007

This is a new event to recognise and reward those projects and organisations that work tirelessly to change the lives and futures of those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The evening will start with a pre-ceremony drinks reception at 7.30pm sponsored by Morrison followed by a 3 course meal. 5 awards are to be presented at the ceremony:-

• The Innovation Award 2007 - sponsored by Accord
• The Partnership Award 2007 - sponsored by Lovell's
• Most Progressive Local Authority Team Award 2007- sponsored by Accord
• The Service User Involvement Award 2007 - TBC
• The Young People Project Award 2007 - sponsored by Admiral

To find out more information regarding this event, booking a table or to discuss sponsoring opportunities please call the Cymorth office and ask for Siân Wilton or email her on sianwilton@cymorthcymru.org.uk

The Big Opportunity

Community Housing Cymru are hosting 'The Big Opportunity' a conference event at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff 11th September 2007.

The conference provides an opportunity to capture learning and experience from previous transfers of housing stock from local authorities in Wales and England. The event provides several workshops, surgeries and an opportunity for tenants, councillors and staff to explore opportunities and challenges that present themselves through transfer.

Further information can be obtained from
Rhian Robinson, events co-ordinator, Community Housing Cymru, Fulmar House, Beignon Close, Ocean Park, Cardiff, CF24 5HF or Telephone 02920 557413.

The Wales Housing Management Standard for Anti Social Behaviour
Consultation
The Welsh Assembly Government has issued consultation on a housing management standard that they expect all registered social landlords to adopt with their tenants and the broader community. The standard contains 7 key commitments including; Commitment to leadership; empowering and reassuring residents; prevention and early intervention; Support to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour; tailored services for residents and provision of support for victims and witnesses; protecting communities through swift enforcement; and finally a commitment to encouraging community responsibility.
Landlords have been required to develop a ASB policy as directed by the Welsh Assembly Government since the 30th Oct 05.
The new standard is expected to establish a benchmark for the sector in Wales from which to build excellence in combating ASB. Spanning prevention, support and enforcement agendas the standard also places a strong emphasis in empowering tenants to play their role. The WTF would like to hear your views on the standard and particularly its implementation.

Copies of the proposed standard can be obtained from www.wales.gov.uk/consultations or through the WTF email steve @ welshtenantsfed.org.uk

What Tenants Want - Trafford Hall

Last call for free and subsidised places available at Trafford Hall, Chester on the Welsh Husing Quality Standard.

Trainers: Engage Associates (Elieen Adams)
Date: 12th - 14thMarch 2007
Fees: Administration charge £10
Course content:

• The Welsh Housing Quality Standard and the implications for tenants and landlords
• Explains the stock options appraisal process
• Explores the options for ownership and management of council housing and the models which may apply
• Hear expert witnesses talk about their experiences
• Develop methods of judging the best options for tenants

For further information or to book a place please speak to Hayley Evans on 01244 300246 or email h.evans@traffordhall.com Please indicate that you heard of the course through the WTF.

What Tenants Want - Trafford Hall

Last call for free and subsidised places available at Trafford Hall, Chester on the Welsh Husing Quality Standard.

Trainers: Engage Associates (Elieen Adams)
Date: 12th - 14thMarch 2007
Fees: Administration charge £10
Course content:

• The Welsh Housing Quality Standard and the implications for tenants and landlords
• Explains the stock options appraisal process
• Explores the options for ownership and management of council housing and the models which may apply
• Hear expert witnesses talk about their experiences
• Develop methods of judging the best options for tenants

For further information or to book a place please speak to Hayley Evans on 01244 300246 or email h.evans@traffordhall.com Please indicate that you heard of the course through the WTF.

Positive about participation?- then get informed, get Involved!

Positive about participation?- then get informed, get involved! is the Welsh Tenants Federation project in partnership with the Inform 2 Involve initiative and Merthyr County Borough Council. The project aims to raise awareness of the need to get informed and involved in the housing led regeneration debate and offer support to tenants across Merthyr Tydfil to do so.

It has been widely acknowledged that Housing in Wales is facing the biggest change in 30 years. Tenants need to be a part of that debate, they need to ensure that what they want is delivered in any proposals that are offered. Merthyr Tydfil CBC will require more than 219 million to meet the commitments of its 30 year housing business plan with current and projected resources missing the Welsh Housing Quality Standard, which must be achieved by 2012. As a result, the option to transfer the stock has been proposed. Merthyr CBC and a panel of tenants have chosen Tact @ Dome to act as the independent tenants advisor to convey to tenants the options available to them.

In addition, the i2i team which aims to provide support to landlords to meet the welsh housing quality standard across the heads of the valleys area have produced a number of information booklets titled 'what tenants want' to assist tenants to make comparisons and ensure that they get the right answers to the critical questions they need to know.

The Welsh Tenants Federation aims to offer support to individuals who wish to get involved not just for the short term but for the long term, irrespective of whether tenants vote for, or against the transfer proposals. We ask the question - Are you positive about participation? If you are, then you need to get informed and get involved.

If you are positive about participation or wish to receive further information then contact Steve Clarke on 01685 723922 or email steve@welshtenantsfed.org.uk

Living without insurance

The Welsh Consumer Council are currently conducting a study into the barriers that some people face when taking out insurance. One of the areas they're focussing on is home contents insurance.
As part of the research they are looking for people who have had difficulty in obtaining home contents insurance over the last few years (eg. costs quoted have been too expensive or cover has been refused for some reason), or anyone who's had to deal with a particular situation/incident without home contents insurance cover.
They are also keen to hear tenants general views on taking out home contents insurance including opinion on 'insurance with rent' schemes.
If you know of anyone with a story to tell who would be happy to share their experiences and views please contact Lindsey Kearton (email: lindsey@wales-consumer.org.uk) Tel: 029 2025 5454 Ext: 225) by Friday 23rd February 2007.The information gathered will then be used as Case Studies in their final report. All answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and no individuals will be identified.