www.amicushorizon.org.uk amicushorizon making homes, helping people amicushorizon using governance...

www.amicushorizon.org.uk

AmicusHorizon Making homes, helping people

AmicusHorizonUsing governance to deliver successful

scrutiny





Who are we ?• Beth Williams

Chair of Residents’ Council

• Alison Wignall

Head of Governance

• Jo Robinson

Director of Co-regulation



Making homes, helping peopleAmicusHorizon

How can residents scrutinise using governance structures and processes?

We will look at:

• Scrutiny at local and corporate levels

• Using a range of scrutiny methods

• Influencing decision making and forming good working relationships with the Board

This is an interactive workshop! 30 minutes presentation and then group work…

AmicusHorizon: The Story


• Housing Association landlord in South East England and London

• 29,000 homes and turnover of £155m a year

• Supervision 2006 - 2008

• TSA co-regulatory champion 2010

• Awards – Sunday Times top 100, TPAS, best call centre, Housing Excellence

• Resident satisfaction March 2009 = 48%

• Resident satisfaction March 2013 = 95.3%

• Scrutiny in partnership

QUESTION:

What does Governance mean to you?


For us it’s the:

1. Structures

2. Processes

3. People

4. Law

Regulation - Homes & Communities Agency

Co-Regulation


What does Governance mean to us…

•


Our Governance Structure

QUESTION:

How do you scrutinise?


•






• Always resident led, supported by dedicated staff

• Two methods – regular performance / strategy scrutiny plus scrutiny projects • Performance and strategy scrutiny:

o Clear Terms of Reference gives power to scrutinise

o Local via Area Panels and RAMPS (Repairs & Maintenance Panel)

o Corporate via Residents’ Council

o Residents’ Council Task Groups

Scrutiny at all levels: what we do and how we do it?





Scrutiny projects

• New process and framework March 2013

• Can be used at local or corporate level and on any part of the business.

• Commissioned by Residents’ Council, Area Panel, RAMP or a combination

• Resident led.

• Flexible. Supported by staff

• Emphasis on deliverable outcomes

• Training





Other scrutiny methods

• Mystery shopping

• Resident Champions and Monitors

• Local Offers and Area Plans

• Area Panel task groups

• Meaningful consultation





What makes it work?

• Attitudes of all involved

• One team ethos.

• Genuine, positive challenge

• Dedicated support from Governance team

• Tackling problems early and consistently

• Honesty and transparency





Mechanics:

• Joint meetings and social events, attend the other’s meetings

• Joint projects

• Using governance process to influence: standing orders, operating regulations, decision making processes

• Have a formal role for resident scrutiny

Relationships:

• Essential to build with Board. Board have ultimate legal responsibility

Demonstrate the value Resident influence and scrutiny add – its all about outcomes

Influencing the Board: the key relationship





Lessons we’ve learnt

• Governance structures and process are important but relationships across the governance structure are more important

• Can be tough for residents and staff at the start – changed attitudes

• Realistic budgets and resources





Conclusions

• Scrutiny is good for improving services. So its good for residents and good for business

• For AmicusHorizon Resident satisfaction March 2013 = 95%

• But how can we all take scrutiny to the next level – what can we learn from each other?

Group work for 30 minutes: and then feed back





Group work for 30 mins then feedback

On your tables discuss and agree:

1. What scrutiny method gets the best outcomes for everyone?

2. What are your top 5 scrutiny tips?

3. Is there potential for residents of one landlord to scrutinise another landlord ?

4. What lessons have you and / or your landlord learnt from scrutiny so far?





Feedback: 15 minutes





Thank you from:

• Beth Williams

• Alison Wignall

• Jo Robinson

AmicusHorizon – one team for the benefit of our residents

BYE

www.amicushorizon.org.uk amicushorizon making homes, helping people amicushorizon using governance...

Documents

people amicushorizon

work slide

partnership slide

governance structure

successful scrutiny

scrutiny projects performance

range of scrutiny methods

o local