Www.amicushorizon.org.uk AmicusHorizon Making homes, helping people AmicusHorizon Using governance to deliver successful scrutiny .

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 to deliver successful scrutiny .

Documents

people amicushorizon

work slide

partnership slide

governance structure

successful scrutiny

scrutiny projects performance

range of scrutiny methods

o local