Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 23, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED:   1.  The proposal to establish the Housing Advisory Panel was approved. 2.  The draft terms of reference for the panel, including quarterly reporting to Cabinet, were approved. 3.  The principle of remunerating the non-Council panel members was approved.   REASONS FOR DECISION   To approve the proposed establishment of an Housing Advisory Panel to strengthen the overall governance of the housing landlord service and provide Cabinet with the assurance it needs that the social landlord service is delivering a quality service to its residents.   The Housing Advisory Panel will comprise up to three independent members from within the social housing sector enabling the focus of the panel to be on the technical elements of the delivery of the service, where the panel members bring their professional expertise to the table to challenge the service. The panel will be chaired by one of the sector professionals and all meetings will be attended by the Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Regeneration and Directors from the Housing Service. In accordance with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, a key role of the Housing Advisory Panel will be to advise the Council on the most appropriate route to ensure that residents are able to effectively influence and participate in decision making for the service. This includes the ability to co-opt residents to the panel as required.   To ensure the independence of the panel, professional members would not be able to work for, or hold a position with a partner of the Council, or a contractor of the Council. Any tenants and leaseholders who are co-opted to the panel, would not be able to hold a position within the existing resident engagement structures, i.e. Tenant and Resident Association (TRA), Housing Scrutiny Panel, Area Panel or the Resident Liaison Group (RLG).   It is critically important to the success of the panel that we attract the right individuals. It is therefore proposed that the members of the panel are remunerated, the exact detail of the level of remuneration will be determined following a review of the market.   It is proposed that a quarterly advisory report would be prepared by the chair of the panel which sets out how the service is delivering against key performance measures (including compliance with the RSH Consumer Standards) and delivery against improvement actions set out in the housing improvement plan. The report would be submitted to Cabinet on a quarterly basis and Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission twice a year.    DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED   Do nothing - doing nothing is not an option as this would not be in keeping with the requirements of the new regulatory standard, the expectation of the RSH in respect of assurance or most importantly our tenants.    Establish an advisory panel comprised only of elected members - this option is not deemed to be viable as elected members would not be able to provide the necessary technical challenge required.    A key finding from the critical friend review into our preparedness for the new regulatory environment and our ongoing engagement with the RSH following our self-referral, is that the existing governance arrangements are not delivering the level of assurance that the regulator would expect to see.  While this approach would add another layer of governance, it could be argued that it is more of the same.    Establish an advisory panel comprised of independent members and tenants & residents - an advisory panel that brings together social housing professionals with tenants and leaseholders would provide the external and professional challenge to ensure that the Council assures itself that the service is delivering.    Independent members from the social housing sector would be able to bring their professional expertise to the table to challenge the service. Including tenants and leaseholders on the panel would also ensure that the residents voice is at the heart of the challenge to the service and its delivery.   However, a key element of the decision making and governance structure of the Council, elected Councillors, are not involved in this approach.