Housing Monthly Diary Archive

Central Government

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January 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

The Housing Corporation issued the following Circulars during January 1998:

• R3 34/97: Temporary Lettings to Asylum Seekers:

The Circular sets out guidance on temporary lettings to asylum seekers and it supplements the guidance provided in Circular R3 04/97. It outlines measures to temporarily relax the Corporation's general policy on the use of long-term housing provided by RSLs. On a limited basis, they will be able to assist local authorities by providing temporary lettings in their temporary and permanent housing for people who:

have come to the United Kingdom but have no legal right to remain in the country;

have applied for permission to stay, either on a permanent or a temporary basis; and

are eligible for temporary housing until their application for asylum has been determined by the Home Secretary.

In December 1997, the Government issued an Order under Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1997, allowing local housing authorities in England and Wales to grant non- secure tenancies and licences in their own housing stock to asylum seekers to whom they owe a statutory duty to provide accommodation.

• R1 01/98: Performance Standards for Registered Social Landlords:

The Circular introduced:

The third edition of Performance Standards for RSLs and additional regulatory guidance to supplement that provided in relevant Circulars and Determinations;

New statutory housing management guidance issued under Section 36 of the Housing Act 1996, which replaces that provided by the Tenants' Guarantees; and

Residents' Charters, which explain for residents and applicants the standards of service that they can reasonably expect under the revised Performance Standards.

The revised Performance Standards accompanied the Circular.

• F4 02/98: Revised Uses of Rent Surplus Fund:

The Circular followed a consultation paper issued by the Corporation on the future of the Rent Surplus Fund in September 1997. This Circular announced a number of changes. A further Circular was to be issued on simplified calculation and any remaining changes, following further consideration of comments received from the consultation exercise.

• F5 03/98: Rent to Mortgage Scheme - Notification of Changes to the First and Second Multipliers and Relevant Amount:

The Circular notified changes effective from 1 February 1998.

February 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during February 1998 included the following:

• R2 04/98: Three-Year Financial Plans and Quarterly Financial Returns:

The Circular is applicable to registered social landlords (RSLs) owning or managing more than 250 units as at 31 March 1998. It advised the timetable for submission of three-year financial plans by such RSLs and other details of electronic data collection procedures being introduced.

• F7 05/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

The Circular replaced Circular No. F7 32/97 and advised on Housing Corporation interest rates effective from 1 January 1998.

• R1 08/98: Regulation of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) - Annual Return:

The Circular was accompanied by the annual return HAR10/CO for the period 1 April 1997 - 31 March 1998, which was to be returned to the Corporation by 31 May 1998. The Circular also reminded co-ownership societies of the statutory requirement to submit audited accounts to the Housing Corporation within 6 months of their financial year end.

February 1998
Housing Fitness Standards to Change

The Government issued a consultation paper on the Housing Fitness Standards, with the aim of seeking the views of the local government associations and other relevant bodies on a range of proposals and options for change.

A key proposal of the paper was that a fitness rating approach should be developed and tested as a replacement for the current statutory yardstick against which local authorities assess whether a dwelling is fit for human habitation. A fitness rating approach would give an overall rating for a property, based on an assessment of a range of housing characteristics, rather than the current pass/fail on one or more requirements approach.

Further, a fitness rating system would surpass the existing standard by encompassing all the important health and safety risks in a home, but also by distinguishing the varying severity of those risks. As a result, it would have the potential for providing a more effective mechanism for evaluation of the housing stock, both nationally and locally, and for the targeting of resources, as well as for determining where intervention and public resources are most needed.

This consultation paper took account of comments from initial consultation and research carried out by Warwick University and the Building Research Establishment on current controls on minimum standards for the existing housing stock. A report on the research - Controlling Minimum Standards in Existing Housing - was published to coincide with this consultation paper.

Information Note

The current fitness standards, which comprise a set of requirements deemed to be the minimum necessary for a dwelling-house to be fit for human habitation, were introduced by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (Paragraph 8 of Schedule 9), which amended the Housing Act 1985 (Section 604).

February 1998
MoD Empty Homes

The Ministry of Defence's 13,600-plus empty homes cost £37 million per year in rent and maintenance charges. This revelation came as part of a submission to the Public Accounts Committee, when it looked into the sale of the MoD's portfolio to Annington Homes.

The Committee reviewed the sale of the 57,000 MoD married quarters, following the publication of a National Audit Office (NAO) report in August 1997, which had concluded that the sale price of £1,662 million had been between £77 million and £139 million below the value of retaining the homes.

A key issue raised in the NAO's report was the cost involved of leasing back homes, with ongoing rent and maintenance liabilities. In his submission to the Committee, Sir Richard Mottram (Permanent Under-Secretary at the MoD) defended the failure to make empty properties available for social housing, pointing to current policy requiring lettings to be sensitive to the character of estates and the interests of those living on them.

March 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during March 1998 included the following:

• R1 06/98: Regulation of Registered Social Landlords - Annual Return:

This introduced the Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR (long) Version 1) for the year ending 31 March 1998, requesting information as at that date.

• R1 07/98: Regulation of Registered Social Landlords - Regulatory and Statistical Return:

This introduced the Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR (short) Version 1) for the year ending 31 March 1998. As with R1 06/98, the Circular reminded RSLs of the statutory requirement to submit to the Housing Corporation their audited accounts within six months of their financial year end.

• F2 09/98: Tenants' Incentive Scheme (TIS) and Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO):

The Circular introduced revisions to the procedures (published in April 1997) for DIYSO and TIS, including changes to grant payment arrangements. The changes introduced are minor and the Circular should be read in conjunction with the relevant procedures dated April 1997 and Circulars F2 07/97 and F2 27/97.

• F2 10/98: Voluntary Purchase Grant (VPG):

The Circular summarised a number of changes to the procedures being introduced from 1 April 1998.

• F7 11/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

This detailed the Housing Corporation's rates of interest for co-ownership societies, effective from 1 March 1998. The Circular replaced Circular F7 29/97.

• R2 12/98: Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords:

The Circular set out the changes made to accounting requirements for all RSLs by the Accounting Requirements for Registered Social Landlords (Amending) Determination 1998, which apply in respect of accounting periods ending on or after 31 March 1998. A copy of the Determination accompanied the Circular.

March 1998
BME Involvement in Social Housing

The Housing Corporation published its consultation paper - Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Policy - setting out its proposals on how the Corporation should work with RSLs, local authorities and other partners to improve the service provided to tenants and others from BME communities, in the delivery of social housing.

The consultation paper set out the Corporation's commitment on a number of issues, such as:

• improving ways of assessing local levels of BME housing needs;

• developing local BME strategies; and

• improving representation of black and minority people on RSL governing bodies and in decision-making processes.

The paper also looked at ways in which the Corporation could take forward its work with BME RSLs.

March 1998
Central Government in Brief

The Welsh Housing Minister Win Griffiths confirmed that a new all-Wales housing department was to be established, combining the functions of the housing division of the Welsh Office and Housing for Wales (which was to be abolished).

Plans for a Greater London Authority were published, which proposed wide housing policy responsibilities for an elected Mayor. These would include overall control of the Single Regeneration Budget in the Capital and developing a comprehensive housing strategy for London.

April 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during April 1998 included the following:

• F4 13/98: Revised Administration Allowances for 1998/99:

With the completion of the annual review of administrative allowances, the Circular provides details of revised levels for 1998/99 and updates Circular F4 15/97.

• R4 14/98: Registry of Friendly Societies' Fees Increase:

The Circular advises registered social landlords of the increase in fees charged by the Registry of Friendly Societies, which came into effect on 1 April 1998. The Circular replaces Circular R4 18/97.

• R2 15/98: Requirement to Submit a Copy of Form HACON 5 for HM Land Registry:

The Circular advises on the requirement for registered social landlords when making a disposal under the General Consent 1996, to submit a copy of form HACON 5, recording the disposal to the purchaser's solicitor for the use of HM Land Registry. The Circular should be read in conjunction with R2 32/96 and its accompanying booklet - Disposing of Land.

April 1998
Water Supply Rights Signalled

Following the success of six local authorities in winning a High Court decision, ruling as illegal the use of devices that permit the disconnection of water supplies without first taking legal action, the Government signalled its intention to introduce four new safeguards:

• The right of all households to receive unmetered domestic water supplies.

• Where meters are requested by customers, they must be provided free of charge.

• A ban on disconnections being used as a measure to tackle arrears.

• Additional help for people with special needs.

May 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during May 1998 included:

• F2 16/98: Recycled Capital Grant Fund - Annual Return:

Pending the introduction of a composite annual report by external auditors, the Housing Corporation requires a separate audit report on capital grant recovery and recycling activity during the year ended 31 March 1998, using the format outlined in the Circular. The Circular also announces rates of interest on the recycled Capital Grant Fund.

• F7 17/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

The Circular announces Housing Corporation interest rates, which came into effect on 1 April 1998. It replaces Circular F7 05/98.

• R2 18/98: Risk Management:

The Circular introduces the first addendum to the third edition of Performance Standards and Regulatory Guidance for Registered Social Landlords, which was published in December 1997.

June 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during June included the following:

• R3 19/98: Payments and Benefits:

The Circular announces the issuing of a Determination under Paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996 and re-issues a guidance book (which accompanies the Circular) on the interpretation and application of the relevant parts of Schedule 1 generally, including a copy of the new Determination. The Circular also announces a relaxation of the restrictions that prevent RSLs from making any non-contractual payments to staff leaving the organisation.

• F4 20/98: Revised Calculation of the Rent Surplus Fund (RSF):

Following a consultation process in September 1997, the Housing Corporation announced new uses of RSF (Circular F4 02/98 refers). This Circular now explains the new method of calculating RSF for accounting periods ending after 30 November 1997. The Rent Surplus Fund Determination 1998 and guidance notes accompany the Circular.

• F2 21/98: Disposal of Sites and Properties Between Registered Social Landlords:

The Circular provides guidance on eligibility for Social Housing Grant, the Recycled Capital Grant Fund and the Disposal Proceeds Fund when one RSL acquires a site or property for another RSL. It also announces a change in policy for Section 9 consents on the disposal price.

• R2 22/98: Documents Required by the Housing Corporation Relating to Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Bank Details:

It is the Housing Corporation's policy to make grant payments via Bankers Automated Clearing Services (BACS) and this Circular advises on the bank account details required from RSLs.

June 1998
Housing Corporation Update: BME Housing Policy

The Corporation published a new policy for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, which was the result of a widespread consultation exercise. The paper set out the Corporation's vision for black and minority ethnic communities' involvement, as both consumers of housing services and providers of housing services, in the RSL sector over the next 5 years.

The policy set out 22 commitments which will be reviewed by a national advisory group, made up of representatives of all the key players in the BME housing sector. The commitments cover areas such as housing needs and local strategies, investment and rents, housing management and the future development of BME RSLs.

RSLs will be expected to:

• Monitor BME representation on their management boards and across staffing;

• Through effective tenant participation, encourage good practice in empowering BME communities;

• Ensure that effective policies are in place for dealing with harassment and anti-social behaviour;

• Develop and monitor local targets for lettings to BME households;

• Develop good practice in equal opportunities for contractors from BME communities.

Copies of Black and Minority Ethnic Policy are available free from the Corporation's Publications Unit: Tel. 0171 393 2228.

Housing Corporation Update: Adaptations for Disabled People

The Corporation published Carrying Out Adaptations, which aims to raise the general standard of the practice of RSLs in relation to carrying out adaptations. It covers the major features of the adaptation process - from assessing need and setting policy, through securing funds and commissioning work, to completion and satisfaction.

The Guide stresses the involvement in service users, not just in the assessment of their own needs, but also in setting policy for the organisation and in reviewing its performance. It also encourages RSLs to develop partnerships with a wide range of agencies and professionals at both a strategic and operational level. In doing this, the Guide challenges RSLs to consider their limitations, as not all have the necessary expertise and experience to tackle adaptation of their dwellings.

The Guide further recommends the appointment of a co-ordinator in all RSLs undertaking adaptation works, with the aim of centralising responsibility and presenting an identifiable point of contact for service users.

Housing Corporation Update: RSL Partnership Arrangements

The Corporation issued a consultation paper - Structural Change - The Right Way? - in which it suggests a set of criteria that should be met by RSLs before partnership arrangements are formally approved.

The move follows a growing number of partnerships in recent years (including mergers, group structures, etc.), resulting in some very complex and substantial organisation structures. This has prompted some concern that the control of an increasing number of dwellings is being concentrated in fewer hands, with possible implications for the scope of choice available to tenants.

The paper makes clear the Corporation's official stance of neutrality on RSL's preferred constitutional and structural partnership arrangements. However, it does propose that the process of partnership, and its rationale, should be clear and accountable - having been widely consulted on and supported by the affected tenants.

June 1998
Performance to be Rewarded

The Government revealed further details of its proposed new housing inspectorate, which would be set up by the Audit Commission and would have the key task of relating resources made available to local authorities to their performance levels under the Best Value regime.

The new Audit Commission team would be responsible for a programme of regular inspections of local authorities, as well as ad-hoc reviews of poorer performers. It would also have powers to draw up new standards of housing management. HIP allocations would be linked to service reviews by the inspectorate. Performance would also affect decisions on Capital Receipts Initiative allocations.

It was likely that the new inspectorate would have representation drawn from social housing experts, the private sector and lay interests.

June 1998
Central Government - In Brief

In her submission to the Commons Environment Sub-committee, Housing Minister Hilary Armstrong said that the target date for implementing Best Value legislation was April 2000. Scottish Housing Minister, Calum MacDonald, made known some of his views on the future for local authorities after stock transfer, when making his submission to the Commons' Scottish Affairs Committee. These included a possible joint commissioning role with Scottish Homes, with an input into the way that development funding is allocated in their own areas.

The Government confirmed that the regional responsibilities of English Partnerships would transfer to the Regional Development Agencies when established in 1999. However, English Partnerships would retain a number of major national responsibilities during a 5-year transitional period.

The Coalfields Task Force's report was published, recommending a package of measures to regenerate the worst affected former Coal Board areas. The report suggested a number of fiscal measures aimed at creating employment, and the establishment of 8 to 10 pathfinder Coalfield Neighbourhood Action Areas. A key recommendation was the development of village companies, which would pilot action in the areas, have a wide regeneration brief and ensure the full involvement of all local partners in the area.

July 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

The Housing Corporation issued the following Circulars during July 1998:

• F2 24/98: Form TOP1 - Notification of Property Disposals Between Registered Social Landlords:

The Circular announces a new form TOP1 to be used to notify the Housing Corporation when property has been disposed of by one Registered Social Landlord to another, or a transferred entitlement to Supported Housing Management Grant. It advises that where a property has received Housing Association Grant (HAG), or Social Housing Grant (SHG), the Corporation must be advised once the ownership has changed by means of form TOP1. An RSL should also inform the local authority where the property is located and the funding local authority if different. Notification should always be after the completion date of the disposal.

• F7 26/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

Announcing revised rates effective from 1 July 1998, the Circular replaces Circular F7 17/98.

July 1998
Housing Corporation Update: Annual Review 1997/98

The Housing Corporation published its Annual Review for 1997/1998, which set out the Corporation's performance against key targets, including:

• Completion of 36,000 plus new social housing lettings for people in housing need and giving approval to schemes that will produce more than 28,000 homes;

• Providing over £131 million of revenue funding to help Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to provide intensive housing management for people with special needs, which included funding of over 64,000 homes;

• Carrying out regulatory reviews of all 2,000 RSLs liable for review during the year.

Housing Corporation Update: Low-Cost Home Ownership

The Corporation published A Critical Evaluation of the Low-Cost Home Ownership Programme, which provides analysis of research that was based on literature review, data analysis, a postal survey, interviews with social landlords, local authorities and lenders and consumer focus groups with shared owners.

Key issues raised in the report include:

• Low-cost home ownership (LCHO) is popular with consumers and it appears to be reaching those who are in housing need and who would not otherwise be able to afford to buy a home.

• Knowledge of LCHO initiatives among potential purchasers appears to be patchy and there is considerable scope for improvements in marketing, particularly to local authority tenants and minority ethnic groups.

• Shared ownership appears to provide sustainable home ownership, with feedback from social landlords suggesting that repossessions were minimal and rent arrears low.

• Lack of mobility within or from the tenure could be a potential source of problems, particularly with expanding families being trapped in smaller properties.

• Shared ownership provides additional properties in the social housing sector which, provided that resales are targeted on households in need, represents a long-term gain to the sector. However, such targeting of resales requires a concerted effort on the part of RSLs and of local authorities to administer resales and keep up to date waiting lists of potential shared owners in housing need. In some instances, this is happening but there is scope for more adoption of best practice aimed at ensuring that, on resale, shared ownership units are not lost to the social housing sector.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the Corporation: 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0BN; price £5.

July 1998
Comprehensive Spending Review

The Government announced nearly £5 billion extra provision of resources for housing and regeneration for the next three years as part of its statement on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

As a start in tackling the backlog of repair of local authority housing in England, over the next three years an additional £3.6 billion would be allocated through release of capital receipts, allowing for improvements in about 1.5 million council homes (this estimate has been challenged, with other calculations suggesting that a considerably lower number of homes could be improved with this level of additional allocation).

More than £3 billion under the New Deal for Regeneration would help regenerate the most deprived areas. Regeneration and housing programmes would be brought together locally, enhancing economic and employment opportunities. Within this, £800 million would be made available under the New Deal for Communities, to provide intensive help to some of the country's most deprived neighbourhoods.

The Single Regeneration Budget would be radically reshaped, so that 80% of its new resources over the coming three years would be concentrated in the most deprived areas. The remaining 20% would be allocated to tackle smaller pockets of deprivation outside the most deprived areas.

Housing authorities would be encouraged to work with partners to ensure housing was part of a comprehensive approach to improving and developing local areas. Registered Social Landlords would be recognised as key partners in providing new social housing in areas of high demand, contributing to regeneration schemes and even taking over stock from local authorities. Local authorities would be encouraged to look at both the public and private sectors to get the best housing for local people. To provide maximum flexibility in using capital resources, a single housing pot of finance was proposed.

Local authorities would be allowed to increase rents by 1% above inflation next year and by 2% in real terms in each of the following two years. This represented a relaxation of capping rules, which pegged council rent rises to inflation. The move was estimated to generate a further £350 million for reinvestment in housing stock.

The average headline grant rate for housing associations would be held at 54%. RSL rent increases would remain pegged at RPI plus 1% for new schemes. No decision was taken on reform of the Housing Benefit system, which would be considered as part of the wider Welfare Reform Review.

The Government intended consulting on a Best Value regime for housing, with objectives of introducing tough efficiency and management targets for housing authorities. A new independent Housing Inspector would be charged with ensuring that local authorities improved and continued to improve the way that housing is managed.

Tenant Participation Compacts would provide a framework, underpinned with good practice guidance, of common standards for involving and empowering tenants. These would be introduced from April 1999 with a key aim of ensuring an increasingly close involvement of tenants in developing plans for housing investment and for raising the quality of service delivery. There would be a £2.2 million boost for the Tenant Participation Grants Programme and its scope would be broadened to cover a wider range of innovative local projects. The Government included a warning that, if local authorities remained poor performers, they risked having their housing management role removed.

The Government intended to consult in the Autumn on introducing resource accounting to local authority Housing Revenue Accounts, aimed at helping councils to make better use of assets. As an underlying principle, the Government wished to encourage local authorities to separate out their strategic roles from their housing management functions, which it saw as important in ensuring that both functions get proper attention.

The Government also looked at how it could be made easier for local authorities to set up their own companies, to carry out some of their functions, if they wished to.

Also included in the Government's plans was a consultation exercise on a comprehensive package of leasehold reforms later in the year. This would include proposals aimed at making it easier for leaseholder groups to buy the freehold of their blocks of flats. It also planned a consultation paper on the homebuying process, having looked in detail at the difficulties facing the homebuyer. It would also consult on helping councils buy back former council housing from owners in difficulty, and on changing discounts to purchasers under the Right to Buy scheme, aimed at ensuring that the scheme gives the taxpayer better value for money.

July 1998
New Start for Coalfield Communities

An integrated approach to coalfield regeneration, which would forge a new start for coalfield communities, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

A Steering Group was to be set up, to take forward the establishment of a Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The Trust would work closely with the new Regional Development Agencies and it would focus on supporting many of the local based initiatives that the Task Force had identified as being key to restoring healthy and prosperous communities, including one-stop shops, village companies, community chests and local economic activity. The Government would be a major partner in supporting and financing the Trust and it would look at what other resources can be made available.

English Partnerships was to look at how a Coalfield Enterprise Fund could be created using investments from public and private sources, including the European Investment Bank. This would be distinct from the Regeneration Trust because it would be a commercial operation. At the Millennium Village in Greenwich, contaminated land that nobody wanted was transformed and returned to the community as an asset. The Government decided on a second Millennium Village - this time in the heart of the coalfields - at Allerton Bywater, a pit village devastated by closures. English Partnerships invited tenders to take forward this project.

The Coalfields Task Force was set up by the Deputy Prime Minister on 6 October 1997. Its remit was to pioneer options for revitalising the former coalfield communities affected by the coal closure programme.

August 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during August 1998 included the following:

• F2 28/98: The Replacement of the Tenants' Incentive Scheme and Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership Programme with Homebuy:

The Circular announces the arrangements for ending the Tenants' Incentive Scheme (TIS) and the Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO) scheme with effect from 31 March 1999 and the introduction of Homebuy, which will replace TIS and DIYSO programmes from 1 April 1999.

• F2 29/98: Total Cost Indicators, Grant Rate, Value Limits and Discount Amounts, Rent Caps and Administration Allowances for 1999/2000:

Further details are given in accompanying guidance notes, which detail all changes effective from 1 April 1999. As at that date, this Circular will replace Circulars F2 26/97 and F4 13/98.

• F2 30/98: Development and Maintenance Review:

The Circular provides guidance on the Development and Maintenance Review system, which replaced the Scheme Audit with effect from 1 August 1998. This Circular replaces the Scheme Audit section of Circular F2 31/93.

• F2 31/98: Revised Scheme Development Standards (August 1998):

The Circular introduces a revised edition of Scheme Development Standards (August 1998), which will supersede the previous August 1995 editions as from 31 August 1998. It replaces Circular F2 25/95.

August 1998
Other Corporation News in Brief

• The Housing Corporation announced that it was setting up a Tenant Consumer Panel, which would review the Corporation's tenant participation policy and advise the Board on the involvement of RSL tenants in the management of their homes. The panel would meet at least twice a year.

• A series of charters for residents living in homes covered by the Social Housing Standards (housing provided with public subsidy, charitable funding or transfer from local authorities) were to be published by the Corporation in September. The purpose of the charters was to summarise the housing rights and reasonable expectations which residents (and applicants) of RSLs should have of their landlord. The charters also explain what action can be taken if a landlord fails to deliver the rights set down in law and in the Corporation's Performance Standards.

• Charters are provided for assured tenants, shorthold tenants, secure tenants, shared owners and members of fully mutual co-operatives, licensees in supported housing and residents of temporary housing provided for the homeless, asylum seekers and single homeless people. A separate charter is available for applicants for housing.

• The Corporation renews its Chief Executive, Anthony Mayer's contract of employment for a further 3-year period until April 2002. Anthony Mayer joined the Housing Corporation as Chief Executive in 1991.

• Yvonne Hutchinson, a tenant of the Bradford & Northern Housing Association, was appointed to the Housing Corporation's Board. Her appointment followed a recruitment campaign for a Board member with experience in representing tenants' interests and of tenant involvement in housing.

• The Housing Corporation announced the date for its 1999 national conference, which would be held at Brighton from 15-17 February. The theme was to be developing regional agenda.

August 1998
Central Government News in Brief

• Welsh Housing Minister, Jon Owen Jones, announced plans for an early launch of the new housing department which would replace the existing Welsh Office Housing Division and Tai Cymru. The new department would be up and running from 1 November 1998, some two months earlier than originally envisaged.

• Arrangements for taking forward the report of the Construction Task Force were announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. A senior level steering group was to monitor the progress of both the Movement for Innovation proposed by the Construction Task Force and a separate Housing Forum. The Movement for Innovation would be led by a management panel comprised of Task Force members, construction industry representatives and construction clients. A second panel would manage the Housing Forum, comprised of house builders and social landlords.

• Proposals were set out in a consultation paper on the future funding of home improvement agencies, which under the Comprehensive Spending Review of Housing and Regeneration would get a budget increase of £27 million (17%) over the next 3 years. It was also announced that the Government proposed to devolve the responsibility and resources for funding home improvement agencies to local authorities, as part of a drive to enhance local decision-making. The consultation paper suggested that the resources given to local authorities for the purpose of supporting their local agencies should be progressively switched over three years, from centrally determined specific grant to revenue support grant. This would leave local authorities to decide how these resources should be spent.

• It was announced that Scottish Homes' current role as regulator of housing associations in Scotland was to be widened, to include all new social landlords. New landlords set up as part of the Government's New Housing Partnership initiative would be required to register with Scottish Homes, which would set performance standards to be introduced next April. Legislation would be introduced to set the criteria for regulation.

September 1998
Programmes to Tackle Worst Estates

In the wake of the launch of the Social Exclusion Unit's report detailing measures needed to improve England's worst council estates, the Prime Minister announced details of plans to set up eighteen new action teams, comprising Whitehall departments, external experts, community organisations and business interests - to develop new ideas across a range of policy areas. The result of their work is to be brought together at the end of 1999, as a 10-20 year strategy to turn around the poorest neighbourhoods and bridge the gap between them and the rest of the Country.

At the same time, the Government released details of the first phase of its £800 million 3-year New Deal for Communities regeneration programme. This first phase of the initiative would see 17 pathfinder areas compete for a share of the £12 million being made available.

In each area, partnerships of local people, business interests, community groups and the voluntary sector would identify local needs and work on a strategy for meeting them.

The nominated pathfinder areas were:

• Birmingham: Ley Hill Estate

• Bradford: Buttershaw Estate

• Brighton: Whitehawk Estate

• Bristol: Knowle West Estate

• Sandwell: Kingshurst Estate

• Hackney: Holly Street Estate

• Hull: Preston Road Estate

• Leicester: Braunstone Estate

• Liverpool: Dingle

• Manchester: Monsall Estate

• Middlesbrough: Whinney Banks Estate

• Newcastle: Elswick

• Newham: Warrior Sq Estate

• Norwich: The Larkman Estate

• Nottingham: Broxtowe Estate

• Southwark: Aylesbury Estate

• Tower Hamlets: St Peter's North Estate

September 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

The Housing Corporation issued one Circular during September 1998:

• R3 32/98: Revised Explanatory Booklets for Co-ownership Equity Sharing and Distribution of Rules:

The Circular introduces revised editions of Co-ownership Housing - What is it? and Co-ownership Equity Sharing - What is it? and sets out new requirements for their distribution and for the Model Rules under which each society operates.

October 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars issued by the Housing Corporation during October included the following:

• R1 25/98: The Application of the Performance Standards for Small Almshouse Charities and Abbeyfield Societies:

This introduces new regulatory arrangements for almshouse charities and Abbeyfield societies with less than 250 homes in their ownership and management. It should be read in conjunction with Circular R1 01/98 - Performance Standards for Registered Social Landlords.

• F7 33/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

This advises on Housing Corporation rates of interest for co-ownership schemes as from 1st November 1998 and it replaces Circular F7 11/98.

• R3 34/98: Constitutional and Structural Partnerships:

This Circular introduces the Corporation's regulatory guidance, which sets out:

The criteria that the Corporation will use when considering RSLs' proposed constitutional and structural partnerships - including mergers, group structures, transfers of engagements, stock transfers and amalgamations; and

Guidance on the accompanying procedural requirements. A copy of the regulatory guidance accompanies the Circular.

• F7 37/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

This replaces Circular F7 26/98 and it advises on Housing Corporation rates of interest effective from 1st October 1998, relevant to all Registered Social Landlords (excluding co-ownership societies - see F7 33/98 above).

Information Note

The Housing Corporation recently published an update of its Lists of Housing Corporation Circulars, which provides a list of all valid Circulars as at 1st September 1998, with a brief description given of each.

October 1998
Changes in Wales

The new Welsh Office Housing Department was to come into existence on 1st November 1998, fully integrating all the housing functions of the Welsh Office and those of Tai Cymru. The Department has responsibility for developing programmes and policies on housing issues across all sectors and tenures, and to help ministers and later the National Assembly for Wales.

The Director of the new Housing Department is Adam Peat and his section heads are:

• Mike Shanahan: Policy and Resources Division: Tel. 01222 823863

• John Bader: Operations Division: Tel. 01222 826901

• Peter Lawler: Performance Division: Tel. 01222 826925.

In a shock announcement, Ron Davies resigned as Secretary of State for Wales, following an incident in London's Clapham Common, which he described as a serious lapse of judgment. He was replaced by Alun Michael, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth.

October 1998
Guidance on Unauthorised Camping

Speaking at the inaugural National Association of Gypsy and Traveller Officers' conference in Coventry, Nick Raynsford launched the Government's new guidance on managing unauthorised camping.

The guidance was developed from research carried out by the University of Birmingham, drawing on experiences of local authorities, the police and gypsies and travellers themselves. Key themes developed in the guidance include:

• The need for local authorities to have overall strategies towards gypsy and traveller issues, including needs assessment, site provision and service provision, as well as eviction policies that should be developed with the local police force;

• The advantages of local authorities identifying acceptable temporary stopping places;

• The need for local authorities to build planning aspects into their overall traveller strategy and to avoid setting criteria that in practice might prove too difficult to meet;

• The inclusion of education and health services in a local authority gypsy and traveller policy;

• Written statements of policies towards unauthorised encampment, which should be made available to gypsies and travellers;

• The need for clear statements from local police on circumstances in which gypsies and travellers will be permitted to stay on unauthorised sites without eviction action being started;

• The importance of developing clear procedures for eviction of unauthorised campers, which should where appropriate follow a route which requires a Court Order.

For further details: Tel. 0171 890 3276.

November 1998
Housing Corporation News

• The Housing Corporation launched its three-year strategy to help tackle the problems of social exclusion in local communities - Building A Better Future: Revitalising Neighbourhoods. The strategy set out five strategic aims:

Maintaining sustainable neighbourhoods and housing, with affordable rents and good quality homes provided by registered social landlords.

Promoting opportunities for residents to have a say about their housing.

Securing effective stewardship of existing stock, including requiring RSLs to make proper provision for repairs and improvements.

Requiring high standards of corporate governance, accountability and financial management of the £35 billion invested in the RSL sector.

Encouraging innovation and the pursuit of best value, by encouraging RSLs to adopt new and radical approaches to housing provision.

• Baroness Dean, the Corporation's Chair, launched a new policy which aims to give tenants a greater say in the management of their homes and the services that they receive. A copy of the policy - Making Consumers Count: Tenant Participation: The Next Five Years - is available free from the Corporation's publications unit. The Corporation's work on tenant participation is to be overseen by a newly formed Tenant Consumer Panel, to be chaired by Sheila Button.

• The Corporation announced its intention to survey RSL Best Value activities early in 1999 and then again in the middle of the following year, to assess how registered social landlords' work is progressing. It also intended, later next year, to consult on revisions to the Performance Indicator (PI) framework for RSLs and consider lining up local authority and RSL PIs in key areas.

• The Corporation reported that expenditure of the Approved Development Programme in the first half of the current financial year was in line with forecasts, having reached £239 million.

• More than 15,000 completions had been made, against the target for the year of 36,600.

• New from the Corporation was its Guide to Supported Housing, which confirmed the availability of Supported Housing Management Grant to fund services for people who had left supported housing and were now living independently in move-on accommodation. The guide also drew attention to Performance Standards that required RSLs to make some of their self-contained units available for move-on.

• The Corporation, in partnership with the Anchor Trust, funded an update of the Elderly Accommodation Council (EAC)'s database of specialised housing for older people in all tenures. Publication of local directories was imminent and further details are available from the EAC: Tel. 0181 742 1182.

• Ken Griffin, a member of the Law Society's Disciplinary Board and a consultant to Ugland International Holdings, and Dr Peter Williams, the Deputy Director General of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, were both re-appointed to the Housing Corporation's Board for a further 4-year term.

November 1998
Policy Action Teams

The membership of the 18 policy action teams who would help devise and deliver policies to tackle the problems of the poorest neighbourhoods were announced by Local Government and Housing Minister, Hilary Armstrong. The teams draw together central and local government, the voluntary and private sectors, as well as people living and working in poor neighbourhoods.

The Social Exclusion Unit's report Bringing Britain Together: A National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal set out proposals for an intensive programme of policy development, involving 18 cross-cutting policy action teams based around five themes:

• Getting people to work.

• Getting the place to work.

• Building a future for young people.

• Access to services.

• Making the Government work better.

It was anticipated that the programme of policy development work would be completed by December 1999, and the outcome of all the reports would be put together into a coherent strategy. Each of the policy action teams had a Champion Minister assigned to it.

An obvious area for representation from the housing sector was on the action team responsible for housing management. However, housing was also well represented on most of the other action teams - particularly those concerned with neighbourhood management, neighbourhood wardens, unpopular housing, and anti-social behaviour.

Of the 12 external members (ie not drawn from Government departments) on the housing management team, only one is a tenant representative - Michael Beverley, who is a tenant and a board member of the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea's tenant management organisation.

November 1998
Scottish Homes Links Housing and Employment

Scottish Homes provided an insight into its wider role in its new publication - Housing and Employment. It illustrates how the Agency is involving itself in an increasing number of projects which have an in-built local employment dimension:

• Scottish Homes invested over £1 million in housing projects, involving community-based housing associations, which had direct links to job creation in and around Glasgow - all in places which suffered high unemployment.

• It also spent £500,000 this year on one initiative which included energy efficiency in 1,500 homes. The scheme gave 36 unemployed young people on-the-job training under the Government's New Deal programme.

• The Agency invested £450,000 in a housing association project, which combined the landscaping of derelict sites in Easterhouse (Glasgow) with opportunities for training and employment for local people who had been long-term unemployed.

• £70 million was made available to improve housing in Glasgow and North Clyde this year. This investment would help to support the construction industry and local economy. Most of the investment programme was targeted at housing associations and co-operatives, which are ideally placed to play a major role in the heart of neighbourhoods.

• Housing and employment is the Agency's new subject for discussion on its Internet open forum, accessed at: http://www.scot-homes.gov.uk/

December 1998
Housing Corporation Circulars

The Housing Corporation published a number of Circulars during December, including:

• R1 23/98: Resident Charters:

This Circular introduces charters for applicants and residents of RSLs living in accommodation covered by the Social Housing Standards. It should be read in conjunction with Circular R1 01/98 (Performance Standards for Registered Social Landlords). The charters summarise in plain English the housing rights and reasonable expectations which residents and applicants of RSLs should have of their landlord, as well as what they can do if the landlord fails to deliver the rights set down in law and in the Corporation's regularity requirements.

• F2 42/98: Planning Issues Relating To The Provision of Affordable Housing and Section 106 Contributions by Registered Social Landlords:

This provides guidance on the treatment of developer contributions to affordable housing, as well as on Section 106 requirements imposed by local authorities on RSL developments as a condition of planning permission.

• F7 41/98: Housing Corporation Lending Rates:

This replaces Circular F7 33/98 and provides details of rates effective for co-ownership societies - effective from 1st January 1999.

• F2 39/98: Flexible Tenure - New Use of Recycled Capital Grant Fund, and Policy Guidance for Mortgage Rescue under Local Authority Social Housing Grant:

This updates Circulars F2 21/97 and F2 28/97.

• R2 40/98: Consolidated Report and Auditor's Opinion on Application of Annual Revenue and Capital Funding:

This sets out the requirements for RSLs to complete the Consolidated Report and for their external auditor to certify the Consolidated Auditor's Opinion. It supersedes Circular F2 16/98 (Recycled Capital Grant Fund - Annual Return).

January 1999
Corporation's Approach to Problem Cases

A new report examines the Housing Corporation's handling of problems experienced by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). Prepared for the Corporation by consultants HACAS, the report analyses 17 cases where RSLs were placed under Corporation supervision because they ran into a variety of difficulties.

The overwhelming majority of the 2,200 RSLs for which the Housing Corporation has a regulatory responsibility perform well. During the past 12 years there have been about 1% of those on the Corporation's list causing serious concern at any one time - some for a few months, others for a number of years. Any performance failures in the sector, even significant failures such as those outlined in the report, have not resulted in any loss of either public or private sector funds. Further, no tenants have lost their homes as a result of RSL failure.

All types of problems were evident in the cases analysed in the report, of which some stretch back over a number of years. In the majority, weaknesses in financial management were at least partly to blame.

The report makes a number of recommendations for the Corporation to consider, including:

• A probationary regulation period for new stock transfer RSLs should be introduced, with a greater level of oversight for the first two years of the new organisation's life.

• A redirection of regulatory resources towards greater scrutiny of some of the highest risk deals being done by RSLs - which do not involve Social Housing Grant and, therefore, do not receive a high level of scrutiny from the Corporation currently.

• The Corporation should try to prepare for potential problems, rather than reacting to events after they have happened.

The report also examines specific regulation strategy issues, including:

• How to secure co-operation by RSLs when under supervision.

• The use of independent viability checks.

• Liaison with co-optees to RSL committees.

The report further recommends a short post-mortem on all supervision cases, after they have been concluded.

Learning From Problem Cases - available from the Housing Corporation, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0BN: £10.

January 1999
Urban Task Force Halfway Report

The Urban Task Force's Halfway Report is published, providing an update on the work of the Urban Task Force, which was established by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in May 1998 to identify ways of creating urban areas which respond to people's current needs and future aspirations.

The Halfway Report sets out the principles that will guide the Task Force's final recommendations. The report specifically highlights the Task Force's intention to review all the main instruments - land use planning, land assembly, urban design and finance - in its final report. It also sets out the main themes which underpin the work in progress, focusing attention on:

• Regional competitiveness.

• Strong local government.

• Social well-being.

• Strategic land use planning.

• Targeted public investment and maximising private investment.

During the last half of 1998, the Task Force was engaged in an intensive programme of public consultation. In addition, it completed a comprehensive programme of study tours at home and abroad, with more visits planned for 1999. Publication of its Final Report, drawing together its own specifically commissioned research, was scheduled for early Summer 1999.

Urban Renaissance: Sharing the Vision - available from the DETR: Tel. 0870 1226 236.

February 1999
New Deal for Communities' Pathfinders

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced the successes in the first round under the Government's New Deal for Communities initiative. Of the 17 successful partnerships, 10 were already in position to begin developing a detailed long-term strategy for change, being:

• Birmingham (Kings Norton)

• Bradford (Little Horton)

• Bristol (Barton Hill)

• Hackney (Shoreditch)

• Leicester (Braunstone)

• Manchester (Beswick & Openshaw)

• Middlesbrough (West)

• Newham (West Ham & Plaistow)

• Sandwell (Greets Green)

• Southwark (Aylesbury Estate).

The seven other partnerships being offered support as they develop their partnership and term vision under an extended Phase 1 are based in:

• Brighton (East Brighton)

• Hull (Preston Road)

• Liverpool (Kensington)

• Newcastle (West Gate)

• Norwich (North Earlham & Marlpit)

• Nottingham (Radford)

• Tower Hamlets (Ocean Estate).

Altogether, £800 million will be available for these pathfinder and other schemes over the next 3 years. However, as emphasised by Housing Minister Hilary Armstrong at the announcement, there are no blank cheques - but partnerships that develop proposals with a real prospect of tackling the root problems and delivering lasting change will be fully backed.

Partnerships are to be supported by a network of advice and support in Whitehall and from regeneration experts, including drawing on the work of the 18 cross-cutting Policy Action Teams which take forward the Social Exclusion Unit's work in deprived neighbourhoods.

Key objectives for partnerships working under the New Deal for Communities initiative are:

• to address poor job prospects in the area;

• to tackle the problems concerned with high levels of crime;

• to examine ways of redressing under-achievement in schools; and

• to focus on specific problems concerned with poor health.

It is intended that more areas will be able to bid for funding in later years. Pathfinders are expected to provide lessons about what does and does not work, which will no doubt influence future bidding rounds.

February 1999
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars published during February include:

• F3 01/99: Guide to Supported Housing (formerly - Special Needs Procedure Guide).

This announces publication of the Corporation's new Guide to Supported Housing, which is being sent to all RSLs in receipt of Supported Housing Management Grant (SHMG). The new guide updates all procedures formerly covered by the Special Needs Procedure Guide (1996), with a number of areas significantly enhanced.

• F5 03/99: Right to Buy - Changes to Discount and Cost Floor.

This introduces changes for RSLs re. Right to Buy discount, etc.

February 1999
Housing Corporation News in Brief

The Housing Corporation published the All Tenure Guide to Local Rents 1998, which was produced for it by the Property Research Unit at the University of Cambridge.

The data apply to the period immediately before the start of the Corporation's new rent regulation regime. The Guide compares the rents charged by RSLs with those charged by local authorities and private landlords letting to Housing Benefit claimants in the year to 31st March 1998.

The Guide also examines rent increases across the RSL sector and the affordability of RSL rents.

The Corporation's publication - Registered Social Landlords in 1998: Performance Indicators - shows that RSL performance between 1995/96 and 1997/98 declined in a number of areas, including:

• Average rent arrears - which rose from 4.35% to 5.39%.

• Average rent losses - which rose from 2.43% to 3.07%.

• Average time to re-let properties - which rose from 3.3 to 4.2 weeks.

The figures relate to 320 RSLs, who between them cover more than 95% of the total RSL stock.

The Corporation also published Best Value Framework for Registered Social Landlords, which sets out key objectives to:

• Strengthen the influence of residents over the service they receive.

• Deliver high quality and cost-effective services.

• Achieve continuous improvement in services.

Although the Corporation does not require RSLs to follow Best Value guidance, it is to enforce compliance where minimum performance standards relating to Best Value are not achieved. The Corporation is supporting and evaluating Best Value through pilots and surveys, an overall assessment in 2000, the development of the Performance Indicator framework and Innovation and Good Practice projects.

March 1999
Scottish Information and Advice Projects

Scottish Homes announced that it is to invest £300,000 in 14 projects, to improve the quality of housing information and advice throughout Scotland. Six new projects receive funding through HomePoint - the Agency's information and advice unit, in addition to 8 projects already in the pipeline.

New projects to receive grant funding include:

• A feasibility study into Housing Induction Training for first-time buyers and new tenants. This Govan Law Centre project is based on a scheme already operating in the United States.

• The production of a Letting Handbook for private residential agencies, which will cover practical and legal issues.

• A housing information and advice service, that is particularly targeted to reach young people in Aberdeen between the ages of 16 and 19 years.

• A project to assist cross-matching for clients of the Disabled Persons' Housing Service in Scotland, which will assist people in finding suitable accommodation in other parts of the country.

HomePoint has now funded over 60 projects for clients of the Disabled Persons Housing Service in Scotland.

March 1999
Relationship Breakdown and Housing Rights

Scottish Homes published a new guide, giving advice and information to anyone going through a separation or divorce. The guide - Relationship Breakdown and Housing Rights - has been prepared by the Agency's information and advice unit, HomePoint, in conjunction with the charity Shelter.

The 12-page publication is aimed at both tenants and homeowners. It also gives people basic information on the legal steps available to them, their rights and how to find accommodation.

The guide includes a list of organisations that provide help and support.

The guide is available, free of charge, from HomePoint, Scottish Homes, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HE: Tel. 0131 479 5353.

March 1999
Doorstep Selling

Following changes to existing legislation on doorstep selling, which will give vulnerable consumers - especially the elderly and housebound - greater protection from high pressure doorstep selling methods of certain traders, the Government issued a consumer guide leaflet - Doorstep Selling: Know Where You Stand.

The guide sets out consumer rights, which provide consumers with the right to a 7-day cooling-off period in which they can:

• withdraw from a contract; and also

• require the trader to give the consumer details in writing of their right to cancel.

The new Regulations only apply where the services or goods cost more than £35 and they do not apply if the consumer invites the trader to come round to their home, for example - in response to an advertisement.

The leaflet also explains how Regulations have been strengthened, so that doorstep sellers now commit an offence if they do not give consumers details of their cancellation rights. Further, they can not evade the Regulations by sending someone on a preliminary unsolicited visit to the consumer, to get his/her consent to a future sales visit.

Bulk supplies of the leaflet can be obtained free of charge by ringing the DTI Publications order line: Tel. 0870 1502 500.

March 1999
HMO Licensing Scheme

The Government published a consultation paper, Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation - England, which looks at the best way of defining and licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). It proposes that licences will be issued and enforced by local authorities.

The Government indicated in June 1998 that it intended to consult on a licensing scheme for HMOs and this consultation paper covers the scope and operation of the proposed arrangements. The Government is to consult later in 1999 on detailed standards for HMOs, in conjunction with its review of housing fitness standards, recent Home Office/Scottish Office proposals on fire safety and the Health and Safety Executive's current review of gas safety legislation.

The consultation paper proposes that licences will cover:

• the physical standards of the premises (including ensuring adequate fire safety, kitchen and bathroom facilities, and tackling overcrowding);

• standards of good management (for example, proper maintenance schemes); and

• the fitness of the licensee (this may include checking criminal records and ensuring adequatetraining on, for example, fire safety).

The consultation paper is available from DETR Free Literature, PO Box 236, Wetherby LS23 79B: Tel. 0870 1226 236.

Information Notes

Copies of the Welsh Office consultation paper - Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation - can be obtained from the Welsh Office, Housing Operations Division, 1 Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NQ.

The closing date for consultation comments to both papers was fixed for 2 July 1999.

A separate consultation paper for Scotland was issued in June 1998.

March 1999
Housing Corporation Circulars

Circulars published during March include:

• F5 06/99: Rent to Mortgage Scheme - Notification of Changes to the First and Second Multipliers and Relevant Amount.

Notifying RSLs of changes - effective from 1st February 1999.

• R1 07/99: Regulation of Registered Social Landlords - Annual Returns.

Introducing the Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) (Long) Version 2 for the year ending 31 March 1999, which replaces the former RSR (Long) Version 1. The Circular also reminds RSLs of their statutory requirement to submit to the Housing Corporation their audited accounts within six months of their financial year end.

• R1 08/99: Regulation of Registered Social Landlords - Regulatory and Statistical Return.

Introducing the Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) (Short) Version 2 for the year ending 31 March 1999, as well as reminding RSLs of their statutory requirement with regard to submission of accounts to the Housing Corporation.

• R1 09/99: The Accountability of RSLs for Service Standards in Leasehold Housing and Other Housing Where the Social Housing Standards Do Not Apply.

This is the second addendum to the third edition of the Performance Standards, which were published in December 1997. It clarifies regulatory guidance for RSLs on the development and management of housing to which the Social Housing Standards do not apply. The Circular needs to be read in conjunction with Circulars R1 01/98: Performance Standards for Registered Social Landlords and R5 03/97: The Responsibilities Of Social Landlords With Respect To The Independent Housing Ombudsman.

• R1 11/99: The Housing Corporation's Definition of RSL-Supported Housing.

This is the third addendum to the third edition of Performance Standards and Regulatory Guidance for Registered Social Landlords, which was published in December 1997. This Circular needs to be read in conjunction with Circular R1 01/98: Performance Standards for RSLs.

• R1 12/99: Performance Standards and Regulatory Guidance for Co-ownership Registered Social Landlords.

This introduces Performance Standards for co-ownership Registered Social Landlords, including new statutory housing management guidance approved by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and additional regulatory guidance for co-ownership RSLs.

• R1 14/99: Notification of Material Events - RSL Non-Core Activities.

Outlining the requirements on RSLs to promptly notify the Housing Corporation of any new, post-April 1999, proposed material non-core activity or material extension to that activity.

Information Notes

The Government has proposed changes to the permissible purposes of RSLs and, at the same time, many RSLs have become involved in a range of activities beyond conventional social housing. In February 1999, the Housing Corporation embarked on a two-stage consultation process by issuing a discussion paper - Regulating Diversity - which set out proposals on how it might regulate a sector which will continue to diversify. A second stage of formal consultation will take place over the Summer, with the framework for regulating diversity planned to be finalised and published in October 1999.

This current requirement on RSLs to notify the Corporation of proposals which represent a significant increase in their level of diversified activity was set out in the first discussion paper. This Circular explains the Corporation's requirements in more detail.

March 1999
Consultation on Starter Tenancies

The Housing Corporation published - Starter Tenancies and Introductory Tenancies: An
Evaluation. Key aspects of the report are that it:

• looks at some of the approaches to dealing with anti-social behaviour, that have been adopted by local authorities and RSLs;

• examines the use of starter tenancies by RSLs and introductory tenancies by local authorities nationally; and

• assesses in detail the operation of pilot starter tenancy schemes run by two RSLs in North Manchester.

With regard to the two pilot areas, the study finds that:

• The majority of new and existing tenants supported the use of starter tenancies. However, in both pilot areas, there were numerous other regeneration initiatives operating at the same time as starter tenancies, which meant that it was difficult to isolate the specific contribution that starter tenancies were making. Nonetheless, during the pilots the two areas saw levels of anti-social behaviour reduced and demand for housing increase.

The report can be obtained from the Housing Corporation, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0B9: £10.

March 1999
Appointments to the Corporation Board

Countryside worker and trade unionist Ivan Monckton is appointed to the Board of the Housing Corporation. His appointment runs from 1st April 1999 to 30th September 2002.

He is a self-employed countryside conservation contractor and he also runs a secondhand bookshop in Presteigne. Mr Monckton has held office as a TGWU shop steward, safety representative and branch secretary at local level. He has also been a Labour Party candidate in a number of rural council elections.

Sylvia Denman is re-appointed for a second term to the Board, for the period 1st March 1999 to 30th September 2002. She is a former academic lawyer and is an independent adviser on anti-discrimination law and practice and was first appointed to the Board of the Corporation in March 1996. Ms Denman holds one other ministerial appointment - as a member of the DSS Social Security Advisory Committee.

John Foster is re-appointed for a second term to the Board for the period 1st June 1999 to 30th September 2002. He is a qualified accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance. Mr Foster holds two other ministerial appointments - as a Board member of the Audit Commission and as Chair of the South Tees Acute NHS Trust. He was previously Chief Executive of Middlesbrough Borough Council and retired from local government in 1995.

March 1999
Central Government News in Brief

Chancellor Gordon Brown revealed, in his Budget Speech, the Government's plans to introduce a Green Paper, which will detail proposals for further reforms to housing policy.

The paper is to consider enhancing tenants’ choice, reforms to personal housing support and restructuring of rents to reflect size, location and condition of premises. The release of the paper was scheduled for Autumn 1999.

The Government is allocating about £70 million to projects aimed at reducing social exclusion by tackling crime and security on housing estates. The cash is available for schemes that incorporate closed circuit television networks on estates which suffer from high crime and vandalism.

Some in the housing association sector show annoyance at the Housing Corporation’s initiative to run courses on how to complete its Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR). The 44-page form must be completed and returned by all registered RSLs with more than 250 homes. The issue that has caused the frustration is the Corporation’s decision to introduce a charge of £100 for attending the course.

April 1999
Housing Corporation News

The Housing Corporation published a correction concerning previous advice on tenants' rights. Tenants' Charters sent to every housing association in 1998 state that tenants have the right to appeal to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal if they are not satisfied with their service charges. The correction now explains that this right is restricted to the minority of tenants who have variable service charges and not to the majority on fixed service charge agreements.

It is understood that the Tenants' Charters are not to be reprinted until current supplies are exhausted and associations will, therefore, have to take responsibility for bringing the correction to the attention of tenants.

The Corporation was reported to be commissioning consultants to re-examine the controversial issue of payment for board members. The research brief includes the need to recommend a balance between the view that members should be entitled to payment, similar to other public sector boards - such as NHS Trusts - and those concerned that the voluntary ethos of the housing association movement needs protecting.

It is understood that the Corporation will also be looking for an assessment of earnings payment as a vehicle for attracting quality people to serve on housing association management boards.

The Housing Corporation makes the following statutory appointments to the Board of English Churches Housing Group (ECHG):

• Don Wood: Chief Executive, London and Quadrant HT.

• Peter Dixon: Chair, Enfield and Haringey Health Authority.

• David Small: Chair, Hyde HA.

The Corporation’s decision to place ECHG under supervision was reported to be because of concerns about governance, committee and management controls. ECHG has 10,767 homes and 2,505 bedspaces in ownership across the country.

The Corporation also announced the following statutory appointments to the Board of Licensed Victualler's National Homes (LVNH):

• Graham Saunders: Partner, Keens, Shay, Keens Audit.

• Tony Horton: Director of Finance, Hanover HA.

• Bruce Moore: Deputy Chief Executive, Anchor Trust.

LVNH has 663 units in ownership across 26 local authority areas in England. The appointments to its Board are to help manage and implement a stategic review.

April 1999
RDAs Become Functional

On 1st April, eight Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) started work, with responsibilities for:

• administering the Single Regeneration Budget;

• taking over the functions of the Development Commission, Urban Regeneration Agency; and

• taking over the functions of English Partnership and the Rural Development Commission - with regard to regeneration.

Each RDA is business-led and has a Chair and 12 Board members. They are responsible for producing 5 to 10 years investment strategies (by October 1999) and are directly accountable to the Secretary of State. In each of the regions, regional chambers have been established - to provide a vehicle for RDAs to consult widely on investment decisions. Government guidance is that chambers should be made up of 70% local authority representatives and the remaining 30% drawn from other sectors.

London must wait until after July 2000 before it gets a RDA. To meet interim needs, the London Development Partnership has been set up to advise the Government on issues pertaining to the Capital.

May 1999
Housing Corporation Circulars

The following Circulars were released by the Housing Corporation during May:

• F4 16/99: Rent Surplus Fund Returns 1998/99.

This distributes the Rent Surplus Fund Return for 1998/99 and updates Circular F4 20/98.

• F7 17/99: Housing Corporation Lending Rates.

This provides rates effective from 1 April 1999 and replaces Circular F7 02/99.

• F2 18/99: Homebuy.

This informs registered social landlords of the availability of the Homebuy procedures and how the scheme is intended to operate. The Circular also announces the on cost applicable for 1999/2000 (see below).

May 1999
Homebuy Scheme Launched

After some delay, the Homebuy scheme was launched, replacing the Tenants' Incentive Scheme (TIS) and Do It Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO). The new scheme is being operated by selected registered social landlords (RSLs) in England and helps tenants in both council and RSL property, as well as those on the housing waiting list (who are nominated by their council as in priority housing need), to purchase a property on the open market.

Those qualifying for the scheme are given an equity loan for 25% of the qualifying property's purchase price. The remaining 75% is funded by the applicant - through a conventional mortgage and savings. The loan may be repaid either during occupation of the property, or when the property is sold.

The sum repaid will equate to either 25% of the market value (if still occupied), or 25% of the sale price. The aim of the scheme is to help to meet the demand for social housing in areas of housing shortage, by creating vacancies in social housing stock - thus reducing waiting lists and re- housing those in priority need in the vacant homes.

Booklets for tenants are available on request from RSLs operating the scheme and from the Housing Corporation regional offices.

May 1999
Welsh House Condition Survey 1997/98

The results of the latest Welsh House Condition Survey 1997/98 show that the investment made in housing has had some impact. Levels of unfitness continue to fall, as do the costs required to repair homes in Wales.

The main initial results of the survey, which was carried out in 1997 and 1998, are:

• Some 8.5% of Welsh housing is unfit (compared with 13.4% in 1993).

• The estimated cost of repairing homes in Wales is £1.1 billion, compared with the 1993 estimate of £1.5 billion (both at 1998 prices).

• The average repair cost per dwelling is £950, which is 30% lower than in 1993 - when the average cost per dwelling was £1,360.

May 1999
NIHE Community Relations Strategy

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive issued proposals for managing community relationships on its estates. Proposals issued for consultation follow Summer 1998's intimidation and build on the work that the Executive is already doing to improve community relations.

Key aspects of the strategy are:

• A general policy statement in respect of community relations.

• Proposals to slow down, or stop, the process of mixed estates becoming segregated.

• A long-term aim of removing all sectarian symbols from mixed estates in consultation with local communities.

• Local action plans for estates affected by intimidation.

• A multi-agency approach to deal with community relations issues on Executive estates.

Announcing details of the proposals, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Chairman, Sid McDowell, says that:

“The Executive is committed to intervening positively where it is felt that its intervention is both welcome and will achieve something.

However, a reduction in the levels of community segregation and violence rests with local communities.

The Executive can encourage and promote greater integration but it will only succeed where there is a desire for people to live in peace and harmony”.

May 1999
Scottish Ministerial Appointments

Scottish First Minister, Donald Dewar, appointed Wendy Alexander to become Minister for Communities in the new Scottish Cabinet. The MSP for Paisley North has direct control over housing and a wider brief - covering social inclusion and local government.

Other appointments included:

• Frank McAveety (Junior Minister for Local Government); and

• Jackie Baillie (Junior Minister for Social Inclusion).

May 1999
News in Brief

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive completed its 80,000th sale since 1979 under its House Sales Scheme. Discounts available for an Executive tenant to purchase their home range from 30% on becoming a tenant to 60% for a tenant with 30 years' tenancy (70% in the case of flats). The 80,000th purchaser is a tenant in the Armagh City and District Council area.

Scottish Homes published a new booklet, explaining the extension of its regulatory role to all social landlords in Scotland - including the new organisations being set up as a result of the Government's New Housing Partnerships initiative. The information describes what is involved in registering with the national housing agency and the benefits and security this can bring for tenants, the local authority and funding organisations. The booklet - Information about Registration as a Registered Social Landlord - is available free on request: Registration and Supervision, Scottish Homes, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HE. Tel: 0131 479 5298.

The Housing Corporation published the results of a recent study - Tradition, Change and Diversity: Understanding the Housing Needs of Minority Ethnic Groups in Manchester: £15. Tel: 0171 393 2228.

A report that examines Government policy guidance relating to the disposal of Ministry of Defence land in England is published - Development of the Redundant Defence Estate - Thomas Telford Publishing: £35. Tel: 0171 665 2464.

June 1999
Task Force Final Report Published

The Urban Task Force published its Final Report - Towards an Urban Renaissance - which draws on best practice from around the world and contains over 100 detailed recommendations.

The Government's target is to raise the proportion of new housing on brownfield sites to 60% over the next ten years. The Task Force estimates that current policies will deliver only 55% but that, with different and more imaginative ways of managing land and buildings, the target can be achieved.

The report's major proposals include:

• Using previously developed land and buildings first for new housing.

• Creating a national urban design framework.

• Developing a network of Regional Resource Centres for Urban Development.

• Committing at least 65% of transport public expenditure to walking, cycling and public transport over the next ten years and introducing Home Zones - to give local people more control over traffic movement through their neighbourhoods.

• Creating Urban Priority Areas, where special regeneration measures will apply.

• Giving local authorities new powers to manage the urban environment.

• Introducing a package of tax measures, providing incentives for developers, investors, small landlords, owner-occupiers and tenants to contribute to the regeneration of urban land and buildings.

• Establishing a Renaissance Fund of £500 million over 10 years, for use by community groups and voluntary organisations to tackle derelict buildings and other eyesores in urban areas.

Copies of the Final Report are available from E & FN Spon Customer Service - Tel: 01264 343071. A free executive summary document is available from DETR Free Literature - Tel: 0870 1226 236. This is also available on the Internet at http://www.detr.gov.uk/.

June 1999
End to Empty Homes Tax Exemption

Housing Minister, Hilary Armstrong, announced an end to the current exemption afforded to certain long-term empty homes from Council Tax. Responding to a Parliamentary question, the Housing Minister says:

“One of the reasons why there is a hard core of unused empty dwellings is that the cost of owning them is relatively low. At present there is no Council Tax at all for owners of dwellings which require, or are undergoing, major repair works or structural alterations. Long-term empty properties create extra costs for councils because they can encourage vandalism, crime, accumulation of rubbish, vermin and a general nuisance.

Exempt from Council Tax, the owners do not make a contribution towards these costs and they also benefit from other locally-provided services like police and fire services. The Government does not believe this is justified where a dwelling has been exempt for more than a year.

To address the situation, the Government has amended the Council Tax regulations so that,from 1st April 2000, any dwelling in England and Wales requiring or undergoing major repair works or structural alterations, which has been exempt for more than a year, will be subject to the standard 50% Council Tax attracted by other unoccupied dwellings”.

June 1999
Scottish and Welsh Policy Makers

Front bench appointments to the new Scottish Parliament included:

• Wendy Alexander: Minister for Communities - responsible for social inclusion, local government and housing. Lead responsibility for Executive policy on equality issues and the voluntary sector.

• Frank McAveety: Deputy Minister for Local Government - Deputy to the Minister for Communities with particular responsibility for local government.

• Jackie Baillie: Deputy Minister for Communities - Deputy to the Minister for Communities with particular responsibility for social inclusion.

The Welsh National Assembly Environment Secretary is Peter Law, who is the member for Blaenau Gwent. His responsibilities also include local government, housing, planning and transport.

June 1999
Shadow Cabinet Reshuffle

William Hague's cabinet reshuffle included the appointment of John Redwood as the Shadow Environment, Transport and the Regions Secretary - with overall responsibility for housing. His junior housing spokesperson is Nigel Waterson.

Shaun Woodward was appointed Shadow Regeneration and Planning spokesperson. The Shadow Social Secretary portfolio went to David Willetts - MP for Havant - the former Shadow Education spokesperson.

July 1999
Housing Corporation Annual Review

The Housing Corporation published Building Communities, in which it presents its annual review for 1998/99. The Review sets out the Corporation's performance against key targets, which have included:

• The completion of over 32,000 new social housing lettings for people in housing need

• Over three-quarters of its programme going toward regeneration schemes, including development on brownfield sites, which exceeds the 70% target set for the Corporation by Government.

• The provision of over £120 million of revenue funding to help registered social landlords provide intensive housing management for people with special needs, including the funding of over 68,000 homes through this programme.

• Through its regulatory role, ensuring that there were no bankruptcies in the social housing sector, no loss of funds to the public purse and no loss of home for a tenant through a registered social landlord's performance failure.

The report also notes that the year saw a record number of local authorities transferring their stock to the RSL sector - a trend which is seen to be set to continue and accelerate. During 1998/99, 15 new registered social landlords were registered, which brought with them almost 65,000 homes. Former local authority homes now make up almost one-third of all registered social landlords' dwellings.

Copies of the report are available free from the Housing Corporation, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0BN. Tel: 0171 393 2288.

July 1999
News in Brief

New user-friendly guidance to help Government departments make better use of their empty properties is published. The new guidance - Revised Guidance on Securing the Better Use of Empty Homes - came at a time when new figures for Government empty homes have been published, showing a small increase.

July 1999
Recent Publications

Lobbying Government: A Guide to Lobbying on Housing Issues.

This publication provides information on such issues as how ministries work, how to deal with a Member of Parliament, influencing the political parties and legislation, the importance of think tanks to the housing sector, the work of the Social Exclusion Unit and other bodies close to No 10 and the new political structures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is priced at £15 (plus £1.50 per copy p&p for orders under 5 books) and can be ordered from the Publications Department of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Tel: 01203 851764.

August 1999
New Ministerial Team at DETR

Following the Cabinet reshuffle, the Deputy Prime Minister allocated new responsibilities to Ministers at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, including:

• The Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP remained as Minister for the Environment.

• The Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong MP became Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions.

• Nick Raynsford MP was promoted to Minister of State for Housing, Planning and London.

The Department's Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State are:

• Lord Whitty, whose responsibilities include highways, energy efficiency and modernising government;

• Keith Hill MP, whose responsibilities include London issues and environmental protection issues at local level;

• Beverley Hughes MP, who has responsibilities that include local government, planning, construction and regeneration; and

• Chris Mullin MP, whose responsibilities include housing.

August 1999
Policy Action Teams' Update

Neighbourhood warden schemes can offer a way for local people to regenerate a community, according to a report published for consultation by one of the 18 Policy Action Teams set up last year by the Government's Social Exclusion Unit to contribute to a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.

The Team looked at the merits of existing warden schemes and considered whether and how they should be encouraged. The schemes examined used a mixture of community patrols, concierges, caretakers and neighbourhood support workers. The resulting report comments on schemes which have reduced crime and the fear of crime and which have made environmental improvements, promoted community development and improved housing management.

The Government sees neighbourhood wardens as one of many ideas being developed to provide joined up answers to some of the problems of poor neighbourhoods, including decaying housing, unemployment, crime and anti-social behaviour.

The draft recommendations of the report include:

• Warden schemes should complement the work of other agencies and not replace them.

• Such schemes should have no special powers.

• Schemes should have clear objectives and lines of accountability, involving local residents and local partners - such as local authorities and housing associations.

• Schemes should benefit the whole community they serve and consideration should be given to how they could tackle radical harassment.

• The Government should encourage effective neighbourhood warden schemes by commissioning a training programme, setting out minimum standards, a checklist for prospective warden schemes, a good practice guide for managers of prospective schemes and further evaluation.

Another of the Policy Action Teams also publishes a report, which recommends good housing management with an on-the-spot presence as being crucial in ensuring tenants in social housing enjoy a high quality of life.

The publication adds that managing housing effectively in deprived areas requires solutions that go beyond housing management and that training and professional standards must be raised to enable managers to meet these new challenges. Other issues raised in the report include establishing a better baseline of local management, on which to set targets, and assessing the cost-effectiveness of on-the-spot housing management.

Neighbourhood Wardens Policy Action Team Report and National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, Report of Policy Action Team 5 on Housing Management are available from DETR Publication Sales Centre. Tel: 01709 891318.

August 1999
Payment to Board Members

The Housing Corporation issued a consultation paper, setting out proposals for changes to the current controls over the payment and benefits that certain registered social landlords make to Board members, employees and their close relatives.

The paper invited comments on a proposed new exemption to Part I of Schedule I to the Housing Act 1996. Currently, RSLs can only house Board members and their relatives if they are homeless, or nominated by a local authority.

Under the new draft exemption, RSLs would be able to house Board members and their relatives if they fully meet their letting criteria and priorities and they have no alternative source of housing. Ensuring that lettings are accountable and appropriate would be the responsibility of the RSL involved, although all such decisions would be potentially subject to Housing Corporation scrutiny.

Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained from the Housing Corporation (Tel: 0171 393 2064).

August 1999
Housing Corporation News in Brief

The Housing Corporation issued Circular F2 20/99: Housing Corporation Panel of Solicitors. The Circular announces the ending of the Housing Corporation's Panel of Solicitors and it sets out the process for dealing with any deeds still charged to the Housing Corporation.

At the launch of the Housing Corporation's Annual Review, Baroness Dean (Chair) confirmed that the policy of naming and shaming housing associations with high rent rises is being retained. She argued that it is essential to the objective of keeping rent rises below the RPI plus 1% limit, although she accepted that any future incidents should incorporate a procedure of giving the association in question 48 hours' notice to prepare press releases.

August 1999
Central Government News in Brief

Andrew Foster, Controller of the Audit Commission, heads an investigation of local authority housing repair services for the Treasury. The project involves scrutinising repair procedures in a quota of housing associations, carrying out spot checks aimed at evaluating tenant satisfaction and assessing the reasons for wide variations between repair response times.

It was announced that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is taking the lead role in providing accommodation for travellers. It was proposed that legislation be introduced to transfer existing serviced sites from district councils to the Executive and the resource and management implications of this also have to be established. The Executive is, however, not responsible for the provision of transit sites - which remain the responsibility of district councils and which can attract 100% grant aid from the Government.

Peter Law, the Welsh Assembly Secretary for Local Government and the Environment, launched the publication of the Framework for a National Housing Strategy for Wales, which was prepared by the National Consultative Forum on Housing in Wales. The document identifies housing and related issues which the Assembly must consider, if it is to undertake its housing responsibilities in a strategic way. A number of official level working groups are being established to develop the broad issues and options identified in the Framework. These groups are to complete their work by April 2000 and to provide regular interim progress reports to the Assembly's Local Government and Environment Committee and the Consultative Forum. The Framework document is available on the internet, accessed at http://www.wales.gov.uk/.

September 1999
News in Brief

• The preliminary shortlist of 68 local authorities to go forward to the next stage of the selection process for Beacon Status was announced by Geoffrey Filkin, the recently appointed Chair of the Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils. The list was selected from 269 applications.

• Scottish Executive Minister for the Communities, Wendy Alexander, announced that a draft Housing Bill would be published for consultation later in the year. The Bill was said to include proposals for initiatives such as single tenancy, single local housing plan and single local housing budget. However, there appeared to be no plans for reform to the Right to Buy, which had been widely called for.

• The appointment of John Ward as Chair of Scottish Homes was extended for a period of two years to 31st March 2001.

• The Chartered Institute of Housing launched Putting the House in Order - which lists legislative reforms it wishes to see in the forthcoming Housing Green Paper. Top of its list are reforms in the funding of housing, including a renewed Housing Benefit system. Further details - Tel: 024 7685 1752

October 1999
New Report on Unpopular Housing

A new report from one of the Government's 18 Policy Action Teams found that the causes of unpopular housing and neighbourhood abandonment are complex and varied across the country.

The report makes a series of key recommendations to help low-demand areas, which will be considered carefully by ministers as they prepare the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. In making recommendations related to areas of low demand, the key messages of the report are:

• There are always several, inter-related causes of low demand and a community's problems must be tackled holistically - including economic and social programmes as well as physical improvements.

• Early intervention is vitally important.

• Better links between planning and housing policy at local and regional levels, including across local authority boundaries, are needed to avoid creating a surplus of housing.

• Statutory bodies must work together in a partnership approach and ensure real community involvement.

• A high priority should be given to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.Regeneration strategies should deal with run-down private housing.

• Social landlords need to use their lettings policies and management practices to help revitalise communities and tackle any stigma attached to social housing.

• The Government's Green Paper on Housing should look at options for the future of social housing, incorporating more open access and more tenure and income diversification in the existing stock.

Copies of the report - National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, Report of Policy Action Team 7 on Unpopular Housing can be obtained from the DETR Publications Sales Centre, Unit 21, Goldthorpe Industrial Estate, Goldthorpe, Rotherham S63 9BL (£9.50).

October 1999
News from the Housing Corporation

• The Housing Corporation presented its final report to the National Infrastructure Forum on the readiness of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to meet Y2K recommendation and contingency planning. Key conclusions of the report were:
  
  
  • There is no evidence to suggest that for smaller RSLs, owning in total 10% of the housing stock, millennium bug concerns will not be addressed by mid-November.
    
    
  • For 370 of the larger RSLs owning 80% of the stock, the Corporation has found no evidence to suggest that the millennium bug concerns are not adequately addressed.
    
    
  • For a small number of RSLs owning about 10% of the housing stock, the Corporation reports that it is having continuing discussions based on responses to its survey. It anticipates that all these RSLs will be adequately prepared for the millennium change by mid-November.
    
    
• The Housing Corporation consulted with Registered Social Landlords and other interested parties on how to regulate a significant growth in diverse activities beyond mainstream social housing. Regulating a Diverse Sector proposes measures to protect public investment and tenants' homes when RSLs take on different risks in both normal social housing and non- social housing activities. The consultation paper reaffirmed that the primary focus of an RSL should continue to be on social housing and proposes:
  
  
  • A 49% limit on non-social housing activities.
    
    
  • A broader definition of the term social housing.
    
    
  • To undertake control reviews of RSLs whose non-social housing activities expand significantly.

The new policy will be implemented from 1st April 2000.

• The Corporation launched a new good practice guide - Appointment of RSL Chief Executives. The booklet is the first, generally available, good practice guide on the employment of chief executives specifically designed for RSL boards. It offers detailed advice about writing job descriptions, advertisements, how to conduct interviews and appraise interviewees, taking up references and contracts of employment. The booklet also outlines case studies of recruiting a chief executive, performance appraisal, remuneration and includes a sample job application form. Further details - Tel. 0171 393 2228.

October 1999
Central Government News in Brief

• Minister for Communities, Wendy Alexander, announced that Scotland will have a mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation scheme from April 2000 and confirmed that councils will have powers to refuse licences to landlords whose properties present safety fears. Those properties with the largest number of residents will be the first to be licensed, with local authorities having the duty to inspect and monitor dwellings registered under the scheme.
  
  
• The Government introduced a package of measures aimed at making the homebuying and selling process in England and Wales faster, more transparent and consumer-friendly. One of the main measures is the requirement on sellers to put together a standard pack of information for prospective buyers before putting their home on the market. Sellers will also be required to provide replies to searches made of the local authority and a house condition report - based on a professional survey of the property. The DETR has set up a helpdesk to deal with enquiries about the proposed reform. The telephone number is 0171 890 3407.
  
  
• Housing Minister, Nick Raynsford, announced the members of a new panel of housing experts to advise on Government policy. The informal housing sounding board includes housing professionals and academics and will inform Government policy-making. It is made up of Richard Best (Joseph Rowntree Foundation), Graham Farrant (Birmingham CC), Steve Hilditch (Paddington Consultancy Partnership), Chris Holmes (Shelter), Steve Mycio (Manchester CC), Dr Anne Power (London School of Economics), Claire Tickell (Stoneham HA), Peter Williams (Council of Mortgage Lenders) and Steve Wilcox (Centre for Housing Policy, University of York). The sounding board will meet monthly and its discussions will be confidential, reflecting normal Government practice on advice to Ministers. Members serve on a personal basis and they are not paid.

November 1999
Housing Corporation Update

• The Housing Corporation announced a series of appointments to its new Lead Regulation Unit, with three people were be taking up senior adviser roles within the unit in early 2000:
  
  
  • Anthony Hardy, currently Area Director for Hammersmith and Fulham at Notting Hill Housing Group, joins the Corporation on a two-year secondment in January 2000.
    
    
  • Alison Stanners, an Assistant Director with Home HA, is seconded to the Corporation for 18 months from March 2000.
    
    
  • Robert Buswell, Regulation Manager in the Corporation's East Region, joins the Unit for two years, starting in early January 2000.
    
    
• Registered Social Landlords will have a key role to play in the provision of accommodation and support for asylum seekers under new arrangements due to be introduced in April 2000. The Housing Corporation published guidance to help RSLs develop an interest in this area, which provides an overview of the new arrangements to come into force as a result of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1999.

  The Act gives RSLs an explicit statutory duty with asylum seekers and a duty to co-operate with the Home Secretary. The guidance looks at the challenges and strategies that will confront RSLs and gives particular attention to housing provision and the support package.

• www.databases.detr.gov.uk/planning/npp/At a National Housing Federation London region conference, the Housing Corporation's South-East Regional Director, Derek King, told delegates that serious consideration is being given to the possibility of changing Approved Development Programme rules to allow for all-year-round bidding. It is understood that any proposed changes will be the subject of consultation during 2000.

November 1999
News in Brief

• A definitive list of Government planning policy guidance was launched on the Internet by the DETR. Besides listing the guidance contained in Departmental Circulars, Planning Policy Guidance Notes, Ministerial Policy Planning Notes and Regional Planning Guidance Notes, the site also includes key statements to Parliament, a list of research reports and best practice advice published by the Department. The website can be accessed at www.databases.detr.gov.uk/planning/npp/.
  
  
• The Government published a consultation paper reviewing Rent Assessment Panels in England. Rent Assessment Panels and the committees and tribunals drawn from them have an important role to play in dealing with fair rent appeals and in resolving disputes between leaseholders and landlords. The consultation paper sets out a range of options aimed at simplifying the process for all parties and reducing the time taken for disputes to be resolved by tribunals.
  
  
• The Rent Service, which became operational on 1st October 1999, was formally launched by Housing Minister, Nick Raynsford. It brings together nearly 1,000 Rent Officers and support staff throughout England. The service has a crucial role in setting rent levels for private sector tenants through fair rent regulation and guidelines on Housing Benefit. The Rent Service is now an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, bringing together 77 independent units previously administered by local authorities into a single national organisation.
  
  
• Nigel Dodds, who is a member for the Democratic Unionist Party, became Northern Ireland's new Minister responsible for housing. His work will be overseen by a committee chaired by Ulster Unionist Party assembly member Fred Cobain.

Note: December 2000 to January 2001 updates pending

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