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In this edition of Governance Today we are focussing on tenant involvement and the new Tenants Services Authority. If you would like to know more about how this impacts on you and your organisation please read our feature. We also have some great tips on preparing your board to manage the impact of the recession and a fantastic opportunity to sign up for a new benchmarking tool kit- free of charge! So please read on. |
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Board members opportunity to safeguard against the looming recession  Board members can now benefit from a brand new initiative to help them handle the current economic climate. The Board Development Agency has announced a fantastic new seminar which aims to demystify housing treasury management for board members and tenants. This two hour, fun packed seminar is delivered in a non technical way and enables anyone to understand the basics of financial management. Bill Gill from the Board Development Agency reckons it's now critical to ensure that your board members and tenant representatives are familiar with some of the concepts of managing resources in a large organisation. He says: "Board members need to understand that treasury management in a large organisation can be like running your personal finances but you also need to plan much further ahead. Housing organisations are multi-million pound businesses that need to ensure they are securing the future of the properties they own, which are also the homes of their tenants. You have to be even more careful than you would be with your own money."Read more... |
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Council tenants in Birmingham empowered to make improvements
 Over fifty residents in Birmingham have now been approved to make key decisions on housing services in their area. They have all completed The Local Authority Tenant Involvement and Leadership award run by the Board Development Agency on behalf Birmingham City Council. The award is the first of its kind in the country which makes tenants equal partners with the council by providing them with the confidence, skills and knowledge on how to run tenant management organisations and to contribute in an informed way to the wider debate about how Birmingham City Council can best achieve a three star service. Yvonne Atkinson, Board Development Agency Director said: "Its fantastic that so many tenants in Birmingham are equipped to take control of decisions in their area. They can now make constructive suggestions as to how service problems can be overcome and quality and effectiveness improved. Tenants have come up with so many amazing and innovative suggestions.I have seen the tenants through this award and they have developed so many skills that will help them and other tenants get more involved, including leading a community organisation. They have also developed a much better understanding of the council's role which enables them to be realistic about what can be delivered."Read more... |
New rights for tenants - but will it make a difference?  The New Tenant Services Authority (TSA) will start business in December 2008. They want to see tenants exercising more control over decision making. They also recognise that one tenant board member is not enough. Will this new regulatory body really empower tenants? Peter Marsh, the chief executive of the TSA says a regulator should: "Modernise, and mark a clear and distinctive shift from a provider focussed outlook to a consumer-focussed outlook. TSA will be there identifying ways to give tenants, leaseholders, residents and neighbours a greater say over where they live and how their homes are managed."Read more... |
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Housing Corporation announces statutory inquiry into Novas Scarman Group  The Housing Corporation has met with representatives of the board of Novas Scarman Group to advise them that it has instituted an independent inquiry into the affairs of the Group. The inquiry will investigate aspects of the financial management of the Group. The Corporation has appointed Philip Rego, Partner, BDO Stoy Hayward, and Simon Bevan, Partner, BDO Stoy Hayward to conduct the inquiry. They are empowered to receive any information or documents that they believe may be relevant to the inquiry. At the end of the inquiry they will report to the Corporation's Board. Read more... |
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The first ever benchmarking programme launches this week  The UKs first ever benchmarking programme for governance launches this week and a number of organisations have already signed up for this ground breaking project. Fourteen organisations have joined the project so far and the Board Development Agency is looking for 26 more organisations to sign up - free of charge! The benchmark is set against world-wide governance excellence. Any company scoring well against the standards set, will hit their regulatory requirements and be a beacon of best practice and possibly excellence. Debra Beattie, Head of Organisational Development from Bernicia Group Limited is one of the people already signed up for the scheme. She says: "Excellent organisations are underpinned by excellent governance. We aim to achieve excellent governance for our organisation. This toolkit will identify best practice and help us to achieve that aim."Read more... |
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Governance officer round tableo
A unique opportunity for Governance Officers to network, share best practice and benchmark their performance. Wednesday 17 December 2008 - North West Governance Officer Round Table - Manchester Tuesday 13 January 2009 East Midlands Governance Officer Round Table focussing on The Governance Matrix, Nottingham. Tuesday 13 January 2009 - Launch of the Welsh Governance Officer Round Table Central Cardiff. Thursday 15 January 2009 - West Midlands Governance Officer Round Table - Birmingham Wednesday 21 January 2009 - North East Governance Officer Round Table - Newcastle Tuesday 27 January 2009 Launch of the East of England Governance Officer Round Table, Best Western Hotel, Central Cambridge. Wednesday 28 January 2009 - Yorkshire & Humberside Round Table - West North West Homes, Leeds |
 GO gold
The only award for Governance Officers, endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management. York 2008/09: 27 November, 8 January, 22 January, 26 February, 26 March, 23 April, 21 May and 25 June (all Thursdays) at the Best Western Hotel, 5 mins walk from the station. Manchester 2009: 9 January, 13 February, 13 March, 3 April, 8 May, 12 June, 10 July & 14 August (all Fridays) Central Manchester. Board member events
Tuesday 11 November 5.30pm - 8.00pm - Teesside Board Members Network, Endeavour Housing Association, Stockton on Tees |
1 day courses
Thursday 20 November 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members and Governance staff. Benchmarking Governance, Central Nottingham. Tuesday 25 November 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members and Governance staff. Benchmarking Governance, Central Leeds. Wednesday 19 November 2008 1 Day Course for all Board Members and Governance staff. Companies Act and Schedule 1 Requirements - Central Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Thursday 27 November 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members and Governance staff. Benchmarking Governance, Central Manchester Thursday 4 December 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members, Benchmarking Governance, Stanhill Court Hotel, Gatwick Thursday 4 December 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members, Benchmarking Governance, Central Bristol Tuesday 9 December 2008 - 1 Day Course for all Board Members, Benchmarking Governance, Central Birmingham |
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