Joint Conference is a Success
Our working partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association continued with our joint event at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff before Christmas.
The event united local authorities and housing associations, and provided an opportunity to reflect on successes, achievements and progress in the housing movement in 2006. The main sessions and workshops highlighted the benefits of joint working, and how to further develop good practice in sharing experiences with others, and of course an opportunity to discuss all the latest housing gossip!
The Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart AM, opened the conference and declared that greater partnership working was needed, and especially important in order to overcome difficulties with the provision of social housing for rent. The Minister also shared her thoughts on whether the Homebuy scheme should be separated from the SHG Budget, and if the scheme should be available to private developers.
Mrs Hart criticised Welsh Housing Quality Standard progress within the local authorities as "woeful", and asked that housing associations increase the ratio of tenant board members to 1:3 within the next three years. She also called for councils to adopt the same regulatory principles as housing associations, and stated that she will be raising the issue with the Welsh Local Government Association in the New Year.
The Minister concluded by announcing that the Welsh Assembly Government would continue to control the policy regarding the Regulatory Code for Housing Associations, and that she is willing to discuss any concerns that both Community Housing Cymru and the Welsh Local Government Association have regarding meeting their housing objectives. Her messages sparked debate and conversation between delegates, and prepared them for the rest of the conference.
Amongst the other speakers that participated in the three-day conference was Sir Jeremy Beecham who discussed the importance of partnership working across the boundaries, following his ‘Beyond Boundaries’ report published in mid 2006.
In his presentation Sir Beecham discussed the positive response that his review has received from the Welsh Assembly Government, and expressed his hope that this will lead to a mixed economy of provision across public services in Wales.
Sir Beecham also stated that the recent publication of the White Paper in England on Public Service Delivery, offered many aspects similar to those which Wales is now implementing, with regard to a citizen-focused approach to Public Services.
The fact that funding will become increasingly tighter in the future was also highlighted, along with the need to make the Welsh pound go further.
On the issue of stock transfer, Sir Beecham stated that transfer was "the only game in town" for many authorities, and despite some understandable reluctance, such changes were necessary for progress to be achieved. The role of housing regeneration was also mentioned, providing the Heads of the Valleys programme as an example of good work.
Sir Beecham concluded his presentation stating that Wales has a unique opportunity to become an "exemplar of good governance", and with involvement from communities, third sector and private sectors, real progress could be achieved with some existing problems being overcome by focusing on three aspects: Capacity (Shortages and Performance Management problems), Culture (Performance indication for the public) and Complexity (Various Boards, Authorities and Associations).
There were more than 200 delegates in attendance, and with a full exhibition, great food and plenty of networking, this joint conference could not have been any more of an achievement!
Please email rhian-robinson@chcymru.org.uk for copies of presentations.