Community Housing Cymru

August | September 2011

PUBLISHED BY COMMUNITY HOUSING CYMRU www.chcymru.org.uk

Cardiff

a window for European

Innovation

NEWS

POLICY

POLITICS

RURAL ISSUES

Social Business Trust supports Moneyline Cymru

Governance Survey: Key Findings

Public Sector Rural Communities Service Delivery: A in crisis Collaborative Agenda

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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Innovation not Renovation!

“According to my cursory research on wikipedia the term innovation derives from the Latin innovatio, the noun of action from innovare.”

Apparently the word first came into modern use in 1540 and stems from the Latin innovatus. Although broadly used, innovation generally refers to the creation or improvement of products, technologies or ideas. Innovation is distinguished from renovation in that innovation generally signifies a substantial change or difference versus more incremental changes.

Produced by: Community Housing Cymru Fulmar House Beignon Close Ocean Park Cardiff CF24 5HF 029 2055 7400

The mutual housing community is deeply affected by public spending capital programme cuts, our tenants and income streams are threatened by benefit cuts and we are overly dependant on traditional bank lending, the providers of which seem to display increasing desperation in strengthening balance sheets through re‐ priced lending. The IMF has a new leader and the world has looked on as Greece, the cradle of democracy, almost witnessed a new debt tragedy unfold.

Designed by Arts Factory Editor: Edwina O’Hart (CHC) Contributors: Nick Bennett (CHC) Clare Williams (CHC) Kevin Howell (CHC) Bethan Samuel (CHC) Sioned Hughes (CHC) Amanda Oliver (CHC) Arfon Hughes, Rural Housing Enabler, Gwynedd Emma Shepherd, Morrison Ffrancon Williams, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

Closer to home we have a freshly labelled Welsh Government which seeks ‘delivery, delivery, delivery’ and new fiscal freedoms and borrowing powers. Yet our economists rue the loss of the WDA, and local government seems to be facing re‐ organisation by stealth through the Simpson review and the creation of new Education Consortia. And following Alex Salmon’s victory in the Scottish elections there seems to be no sign of the reform of Barnett or even the provision of a Holtham ‘floor’.

Added to all of this, as we’ve seen with the pension strike at the end of June, even the increasing longevity of humanity (in normal times a good news story) will put yet more strain on public services!

What should all this mean for mutual providers of housing, care and regeneration?

Community Housing Cymru

CHCymru

2 August | September edition

Well to an optimist it should mean that we have the perfect conditions to innovate and deliver like never before. The Community Housing Cymru Group has been working with members and commissioning some new thinking which we want to share with members and the wider public.

• The Finance Forum has collaborated to produce some fresh ideas on bond finance and collaborative funding, new public service partnerships and wider service delivery.

• CHC and Care & Repair Cymru have jointly commissioned research from the Kafka Brigade which offers new opportunities for collaboration between the housing and health sectors in order to grow capacity to deal with the pressures of the ageing society (see page 4/5).

• ‘The Collective Entrepreneur’ saw Kevin Morgan and Adam Price conjure new possibilities for the extension of mutualism.

• The Moneyline Cymru initiative has already helped 5,000 financially excluded people and has the potential to be the next ‘Big Issue’.

• Members have offered the new Welsh Government not‐for‐profit investment of £250m over the next four years in return for a sustained and supportive policy framework.

We are in the midst of a perfect storm. To survive we need to be ambitious not nervous. To succeed we need to be courageous not cagey. It’s time to innovate! Renovation just won’t do.

Nick Bennett Group Chief Executive Nick‐bennett@chcymru.org.uk

NEWS

Social Business Trust to support Moneyline Cymru Last month Social Business Trust (SBT), a partnership of six of the UK’s largest businesses, announced a package of support for Moneyline Cymru. right across Wales, plus a call centre, with potential for a mobile service to cover some rural areas by 2014.

The investment has been championed by the Chief Executive of the Social Business Trust, Adele Blakebrough, who lives in Cardiff and has been a member of the Welsh Government’s Social Enterprise Ministerial Board.

The need for Moneyline Cymru is great and to date it has completed more than 5,000 loans at an average value of £400 in South Wales. Over £177,000 has been paid into over 3,000 savings accounts by customers who people believe cannot or will not save.

Moneyline Cymru recognised that their rapidly expanding social enterprise was outgrowing its IT systems when it exceeded its 3 year target to deliver 4,500 loans half way through its second year of operation. A fortuitous meeting with Social Business Trust led to an offer of a cash investment potentially worth £300k to improve and strengthen existing technology and help reduce loan processing time. However, the additional mentoring is where the real value of the support package lies.

Professional input from one of the Trust’s partners, Credit Suisse, will assist with a corporate restructure to support Moneyline’s ambitious expansion plans.

Moneyline Cymru have also recently appointed five money advisers – one for each existing outlet. This service is provided by CHC via funding from the Big Lottery. The money advisers help customers who are unable to afford a loan to find alternatives to high interest doorstep lenders and illegal loan sharks. The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit estimate that over 15,000 people in Wales borrow from illegal money lenders each year, and working to combat this kind of borrowing is critical for safe and healthy communities.

CHC and housing associations in Wales will continue to work closely with Moneyline Cymru to allow it to realise its ambitions and ensure that tenants have access to affordable credit, basic bank accounts and the opportunity to save in order to help them access better deals on their borrowing in the future.

Clare Williams Financial Inclusion Officer Clare‐williams@chcymru.org.uk

With Social Business Trust's help, Moneyline Cymru, which was set up and part funded by seventeen Welsh housing associations, will be able to expand its outlets from the existing five in South Wales to an additional ten

Going for Gold…

Leading repairs and maintenance provider Morrison has recently become the first Gold Commercial member of Community Housing Cymru. The company, which works across the UK, joined CHC because of its far reaching involvement in the social housing sector across Wales and its fantastic understanding of the sector. Morrison looks after and manages over 50,000 homes and

4,000 public buildings for its clients, which include housing associations, local authorities and arms length management organisations.

Emma Shepherd, regional new business manager for Morrison said: ‘Morrison decided to become Gold Commercial Members of CHC because we recognised that the work they carry out across the country offers us the opportunity to really support social housing in Wales.’ CHC would also like to thank current commercial

members who have upgraded their memberships to gold.

For further information on CHC’s commercial packages, please contact Jenny‐horton@chcymru.org.uk.

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POLICY

Supporting Better Health Outcomes in Wales

“RSLs and Care & Repair Community Housing Cymru and Care & Repair Cymru recently commissioned Kafka Brigade UK to undertake research to identify opportunities for the community housing sector to support health outcomes, particular in meeting the needs of our ageing society.

The Kafka Brigade is an independent, non‐profit action research team whose mission is to tackle the bureaucratic dysfunction and red tape which prevents people from accessing the services they need. This research was undertaken by Megan Mathias, Director of Kafka Brigade UK, and involved over 30 housing and health professionals in Wales via focus groups and interviews.

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agencies can play a key role in supporting the ageing population by working in collaboration with health.

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The research had three specific research questions: 1. What is the current picture in Wales?

2. What further ‘health’ services are currently provided in Wales by RSLs/Care & Repair agencies/other third sector organisations elsewhere in the UK? 3. What therefore are the main opportunities to extend delivery of ‘health’ services by RSLs and Care & Repair in Wales?

The first step was to establish the baseline of current provision in Wales. In doing so, a broad pattern of RSL activity in health‐related services was identified. These included traditional housing associations whose mission

POLICY

remains to be general purpose housing providers, which usually includes some sheltered housing; traditional housing associations which have taken advantage of extra care funding and therefore include a small number of Extra Care units alongside general and sheltered housing; and finally a smaller number of housing associations which have made the strategic decision to become care providers and which are increasingly focusing on Extra care and nursing care. CHC also undertook a detailed analysis of current RSL community provision of healthcare which was provided as an appendix in the final report.

The ideas presented in this research should help operational managers and executives in the NHS, housing associations, social services and Care & Repair agencies to explore the practical opportunities put forward. These are all opportunities which can result in the integration of services around citizen needs, enabling both prevention of crisis and earlier intervention when problems do arise, all of which promise better value for public money.

Five key opportunities were identified within the research to offer the potential of supporting better outcomes for citizens across Wales, potentially at a reduced cost to the public purse. Each relates to the prevention/delay of admission to hospital or effective discharge: 1. Early discharge support in Extra Care schemes and nursing homes.

2. Expansion of not‐for‐profit nursing care.

3. Increasing the level of care available in sheltered housing and Extra Care schemes.

4. Ongoing support to enable older people to live more independently and healthier at home.

5. Mutualised continuing care villages.

A range of barriers to closer health and housing collaboration were established which included; an uneven relationship between NHS Wales and housing associations; silo provision, language and culture; procurement challenges and the need for hard evidence.

To enable the opportunities identified to be taken forward, eight ideas were proposed for action at policy level including: 1. Giving a strategic signal that collaboration between health and housing is an expected part of the NHS reform agenda.

This research has provided a real opportunity for RSLs and Care & Repair agencies to work more closely with health to grow capacity to deal with the pressures of an ageing society. Whilst it is positive news that people are living longer, this does cause extra pressure on already stretched care and support provided by the NHS. RSLs and Care & Repair agencies can play a key role in supporting the ageing population by working in collaboration with health, and the opportunities presented within this report should be the catalyst for change going forward.

Kevin Howell Policy and Information Officer kevin‐howell@chcymru.org.uk

2. A short series of facilitated ‘opportunity conferences’ at which the opportunities set out in this report can be jointly considered at regional level.

3. Clarity on the application of procurement and state aid regulations to housing associations.

Other opportunities included; a Welsh Government health/housing lead; housing partners in community service models; documenting ‘who does what’; the need for hard evidence.

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POLICY

Governance Baseline Survey It has been identified that there is no baseline data on housing association governance in Wales. In order to address this, CHC undertook a survey with our members which attracted 33 responses from across Wales.

In 2010, Community Housing Cymru launched the Charter for Good Governance and Supporting guidance for members. Whilst this survey does not cover all aspects of the Charter, it does focus on composition of the board, how board members are supported and the role of CHC in supporting continuous improvement in governance.

Here are some of the key findings: • The average board has 11 people.

Respondents were asked to suggest ways in which CHC can support organisations to achieve continuous improvement in Governance, and answers included:

• 67% have used CHC's ‘Come on Board’ services to recruit board members.

• Continued support to understand the regulatory framework.

• 59% of respondents feel their board reflects the diversity of the community.

• Networking and learning opportunities for board members.

• 97% have a code of conduct for board members.

• Increase involvement and opportunities for those at officer level.

• 94% of board members receive Cartref.

• All respondents provide formal induction training for board members with 79% undertaking learning and development plans for board members.

• Ensure key information is provided to boards without ‘overloading’ them.

• Facilitate the sharing of good practice.

• 72% have a governance improvement plan.

• 94% provide people who wish to stand for the board with an opportunity to find out more about the organisation and the board member role before they stand.

• All responding organisations have signed up to CHC’s Charter of Good Governance.

• 75% have identified specific skill gaps on their board.

• 100% of board members receive the board members briefing.

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Thanks to the organisations who have responded to our survey. CHC will be reviewing all responses to ensure we are continuing to support members on governance issues, and we will also consider the range of ideas detailed within individual responses to this survey.

Kevin Howell Policy and Information Officer Kevin‐howell@chcymru.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

Cardiff

Private Sewer Transfer

a window for European Innovation The CECODHAS Housing Europe Conference was held in Cardiff in June, hosted by CHC. Nick Bennett, CECODHAS’ UK representative, welcomed delegates from the social and voluntary housing sector from across Europe. The conference examined the key role of structural funds for sustainable energy in the UK and identified and showcased innovative energy efficient projects carried out to combat climate change and fuel poverty through investment in housing. Delegates supported calls from CECODHAS to the European Union to increase the proportion of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy in the next programming period.

The Government decided through a consultation process that ownership of private sewers and lateral drains in Wales and England should be transferred to water and sewerage companies as the best option for long‐term maintenance. The transfer date for sewers and lateral drains in Wales is 1 October 2011. Last month, together with Dŵr Cymru, we hosted three regional seminars to outline what these changes mean for housing associations and tenants. For further information about the transfer, please visit Dŵr Cymru’s website: www.dwrcymru.com.

Last month, it was announced that the proportion of ERDF has been increased from 4.5% as it is today to at least 20% in the next programming period. It was also announced that there is a greater budget for European Social Fund (ESF) with focus on training and social inclusion.

A New Policy for Social Housing Rents – update

Now the European Commission will make legislative proposals for each of those policies/programmes. At the end of September, with the publication of the legislative proposals for the Cohesion Policy, the sector will have to push all EU institutions (in particular European Parliament and the Member States) to turn the promises of the budget proposal into real achievements. CHC will be working with key stakeholders to ensure that Wales is able to access the funding and run projects that continue the good work showcased in Cardiff.

In the last edition of Cartref we outlined the Welsh Government’s Consultation Document, A New Policy for Social Housing Rents, which proposes a new national policy for the setting of rents by RSL and Local Authorities that own housing stock.

Members News

CHC welcomes the principle of having a guideline target rent for each financial year with the flexibility of being able to set rents for individual properties. It removes the uncertainty associated with the current system, allows for convergence with local authority rents and still provides local flexibility. The proposal is also compatible with business planning processes and allows the sector to be outcome focused.

You may have noticed that this edition hasn’t featured any member news. Member news will now be distributed in a new monthly electronic publication allowing us to include many more stories from around the houses including examples of innovation and best practice.

Please continue to send your stories to: Bethan‐samuel@chcymru.org.uk.

Since then we’ve organised a successful consultation event on 26 May, the Minister has agreed to extend the consultation period to 1 August and the WG has carried out the modelling exercise and has distributed them to every individual RSL.

However, the results from the initial modelling show that the calculation to set the national and local rent envelope based on earnings, house market prices and private rent markets causes fluctuations and generally lower cost areas see a reduction in income. This jeopardises viability of service and future supply of homes in these areas. At the time of going to print, CHC is working with its members to develop a proposal that maintains the accountability and clarity to tenants, ensures the sector is able to deliver on promises in their business plans, won’t jeopardise future investment and will also provide reassurance to lenders.

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POLITICS

A Collaborative

Agenda

Implications for the Strategic Housing Function?

As public expenditure comes under increased scrutiny in Wales, questions are being asked about the value and effectiveness of public sector service delivery.

The Simpson Review was commissioned last September

by Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant AM who said that local authority delivery arrangements are too complex, adding that replicating functions and services creates unnecessary duplication and is of ‘questionable value’.

The report which has 21 recommendations is focused on collaboration as a means of strengthening public sector service provision through a range of options including joint procurement and sharing of corporate functions.

He added that: ‘The Simpson Review is not about reorganising local government or amalgamating local authorities. It is about better patterns of service delivery that will allow us to target the delivery of services towards citizens and to do this at the most appropriate level – whether that is at local, regional or national level.’

The emphasis placed on collaboration was also recently reinforced by the Higher Education Funding Council in Wales (HEFCW) who said that by 2013 the number of higher education institutions should reflect regional needs with no more than two institutions in each region. University leaders in Wales strongly favour a strategic approach to ensure future provision strengthens service delivery.

Collaboration was also evident in Mansel Aylward’s ‘Review of Housing Related Support in Wales’ in 2010.

The report highlights the value of collaborative committees in delivering an effective Supporting People programme which meets needs and supports wider public sector service delivery.

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All these developments point to a clear direction of travel for public service delivery in Wales.

What does this mean for the Strategic Housing Function?

A strong strategic housing function in local authorities is critical to ensure that future housing supply is fit for purpose and meets the needs and demands of people living in Wales. As cuts to public spending take hold, the strategic housing function will be even more important in ensuring that: • housing continues to be a priority when budgets are reviewed.

• the limited resources available are targeted effectively.

• the worst effects of housing benefit reforms are mitigated.

We already know that following stock transfer the strategic housing function in some local authorities is much depleted and suffers from a lack of resources. In these local authorities we could well see pressure for more regional collaboration .

By maximising resources and ensuring that sufficient focus is placed on meeting housing need, collaboration could offer a solution to current dilemmas and deliver a much strengthened Strategic Housing function. There is already cross‐boundary working in some local authorities, and for these, regional collaboration will simply be an extension of work already underway. For others it could be more of a challenge – albeit one which, according to the research, could offer significant benefits for housing in Wales.

Amanda Oliver Head of Policy and Research Amanda‐oliver@chcymru.org.uk

A MEMBER’S PERSPECTIVE

Building a better future Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd investment boosts economy Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd was set up in April 2010 with the transfer of 6,300 homes from the Council following a resounding ‘yes’ vote from tenants a year earlier. The need to deliver WHQS improvements was the driver of change in Gwynedd and the move has ensured a £136 million investment in our homes over a period of 5 years, and £446 million over 30 years.

It is clear, therefore, that the transfer to CCG will not only mean better homes for tenants but will also bring with it a real boost to the economy of Gwynedd. It offers new business opportunities as well as employment and training. With just over a year since CCG was set‐up, the improvement programme is already underway and some of those opportunities are now becoming a reality.

Several North Wales‐based businesses have already secured contracts for WHQS work.

Lovell Partnership has been appointed as the main contractor. As part of their agreement they are obliged to employ and offer training opportunities locally. They have already taken on around 30 people in the area and awarded several contracts to Gwynedd businesses.

As one of the largest employers in the region and an organisation with a strong sense of social responsibility it is important to us that we also develop and offer quality jobs and training opportunities locally. By putting this innovative procurement model into practice we aim to create quality jobs to attract individuals with a high level of skills so that we can manage the larger contracts ourselves, closing the gap currently filled by specialist companies and consultants.

Maximising local economic benefits and securing a lasting legacy is central to our vision as an organisation. To make sure this happens we have introduced an innovative procurement model which gives Gwynedd businesses a greater chance of securing WHQS related work.

The model is unique to CCG and has been put in place to bolster and develop the local economy. The traditional model used by housing associations to deliver similar investment programmes means using one or two major contractors to deliver the whole scheme. Our strategy at CCG is to divide the WHQS investment work, with almost half the contracts available to SMEs and the remainder to one main service provider.

The pre‐qualification criteria to tender for the smaller contracts were simplified to encourage local companies to put in a bid. Also, for the first time, successful companies have been awarded four year contracts rather than 12 months. This offers more stability and means they can plan for the future and employ more staff, trainees and apprentices, as well as being an opportunity for them to grow as businesses.

To facilitate the procurement model, CCG has employed officers directly to manage the supply chain and to provide support to the SMEs to manage their contract requirements.

WHQS improvement works in Pwllheli

Developing our own employees is a priority for us and we are working with education establishments in Gwynedd to train and develop our staff. CCG has 220 employees based at 10 locations across the county. Around 60 of these include multi‐skilled operatives who will also be working on WHQS improvements.

Our investment programme has only just begun, and we will be working hard over the coming months and years to ensure we make a difference to the lives of our tenants and the wider community in Gwynedd, as well as promoting local economic regeneration.

Ffrancon Williams Chief Executive

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RURAL ISSUES

Rural Communities in Crisis Time to Wake up to the Possibilities

“When asked to write this piece for Cartref from the viewpoint of rural housing in Wales today, I asked myself ‘Which element of rural housing isn’t in a state of crisis and uncertainty that I could write positively about?’”

Rural communities are constantly in the news these days suffering from crisis and immediate uncertainty of various sorts. For those of you who live in rural areas you don’t have to look far to see ‘For Sale’ signs on the frontage of local businesses or protests regarding the closure of post offices, chapels and churches, pubs and schools in the present climate of public spending cutbacks. Rural communities are in more turmoil now than any time previously and it often feels that there is no one to turn to for support. Everything and everyone seems to militate against keeping rural communities viable and sustainable.

Reports over recent years have underlined the barriers to rural housing for first time buyers, the numerous empty properties which could be used to house the thousands on waiting lists, the lack of affordable housing for local people who have to leave the area where they were raised as well as the lack of opportunites for locals. On top of this, income per person is down. This has resulted

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in more people having to consider a cheaper option to get a roof over their head by renting privately or, if lucky enough, to get a foot on the property ladder on neutral tenure made possible by the work of a Rural Housing Enabler (RHE), partly paid for using Social Housing Grant.

There are currently 11 Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs) in rural Wales who not only research their community’s housing need but also act as an intermediatary between community councils, locals, housing associations and national parks. Many developments have been brought to fruition with schemes of three or four houses in rural villages to a dozen or more in larger villages during the last few years because of their involvement. The majority of these schemes are outside the village development boundary on Local Authority owned land in partnership with the local Community Council. They are supported by the Planning and Housing Authorities as well as housing associations who have been responsible for drawing

RURAL ISSUES down Social Housing Grant from the Welsh Government to help build some of these homes. The RHE’s emphasis is to ensure that there is local ownership of a scheme and often the reassurance to a community that a local lettings policy will be utilised to ensure that local homes go to local people.

Planning and Housing Authorities now see the role of the RHE as strategic, ensuring that information about housing need, development of rural schemes and a constructive relationship and partnership with communities are all part of the role. David Hedges, CHC’s Housing Policy Consultant, has recently been commissioned to undertake a review of the RHE projects across Wales. The Welsh Government has part‐financed the posts for a period of three years which comes to an end in this current financial year and this report, which will be published later this year, will reflect the progress that has been made while highlighting the barriers and opportunities that will be present in the future. 144 homes have been completed or are near completion across parts of rural Wales to date as a result of the role of the RHE and the areas where RHEs have been working for over three years have a number of schemes completed. However, for those RHEs relatively new to post, the nature of the preliminary work of identifying need takes time and not all new housing schemes are easy to deliver.

What needs to be considered is that local housing need surveys have shown that housing need is continually increasing. Because social housing grant is decreasing, this will have major consequences for rural communities.

Cymdeithas Tai Eryri’s housing and regeneration scheme in partnership with Pen Llŷn Communities First area at Botwnnog is an example of good practice on how to couple housing and community development. The scheme near completion known as ‘Tai, Gwaith, Iaith’ (Housing, Work, Language) is a scheme of 12 family homes and a new enterprise centre for start up companies. The consequences of housing and the new centre will hopefully spark regeneration in the community and secure a sustainable future for local people. The signs are positive and the Enterprise Centre is likely to open its doors later this year.

By creating a partnership with housing associations, schemes on exception sites where land prices are lower have more chance of bearing fruit. The RHE in Powys is working to deliver a scheme on an exception site following a housing need survey. The site is restricted by national policy to affordable housing which means that in order for the developer and housing association to ensure financial viability, a percentage of open market housing is being considered – the scheme would not proceed otherwise.

The development, supported by the Local Authority, is a departure from planning policy and is an innovative test case.

Wales’ RHEs have a number of challenges in the future – less Social Housing Grant, lenders unwilling to accept Section 106 agreements which restrict local occupancy of dwellings, less available suitable land for development due to planning and environmental restrictions, and less potential to renovate empty properties and employment opportunities which go hand in hand with housing. One sure element is that Authorities need to be more flexible and able to proactively find opportunities with partners as well as investing in securing the future of the countryside. Independent RHEs should be considered as ‘community assets’ who work with rural communities and act as catalysts for delivering more affordable homes.

If rural communities are in the news these days pleading for fair play and are trying to keep their assets for the next generation, then it is time for these communities to wake up to the possibilities before them instead of despairing. Every change, however small, will be a challenging one for communities. It’s time for rural communities to start working closer together to secure a sustainable future – numerous rural communities are already setting up social enterprises and are taking over assets in order to secure a future for their local services.

The pressure is now on communities taking more of a role in delivering on need. Delivering housing by communities is becoming more acceptable with some even setting up Community Land Trusts to satisfy the need of housing and services as well as securing community assets for the future.

Rural communities do have a place to turn to for support, and RHEs can help in this respect by offering support which will help to keep rural communities viable and sustainable.

Arfon Hughes Rural Housing Enabler, Gwynedd

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CONFERENCES AND TRAINING For further information about our conferences, please contact: rhian‐robinson@chcymru.org.uk.

For further information about our training courses, please contact: jenny‐horton@chcymru.org.uk.

Conferences: SEPTEMBER 2011

OCTOBER 2011

OCTOBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011

15

6/7

20

24/25

PR Conference Parc Thistle Hotel CARDIFF

Housing Management and Maintenance Conference Metropole Hotel LLANDRINDOD WELLS

HR Conference Parc Thistle Hotel CARDIFF

Annual Conference Hilton Hotel CARDIFF

Training Courses: AUGUST 2011

SEPTEMBER 2011

SEPTEMBER 2011

SEPTEMBER 2011

22

20

21

26

Welfare Benefits Update CARDIFF

Service Charges: Practicalities, Problems & Solutions CARDIFF

VAT for HA Finance Staff CARDIFF

Welfare Benefits for Tenants with Health Problems CARDIFF

OCTOBER 2011

OCTOBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011

3

5

7

28

Introduction to Housing Associations CARDIFF

VAT for HA Estates & Development Staff CARDIFF

Welfare Benefits Overview CARDIFF

Housing Benefit for Social Housing Staff CARDIFF

Eisteddfod Come and visit us at stand 713/714 at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham from 30 July to 6 August.

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Awst | Medi 2011

CYHOEDDWYD GAN CARTREFI CYMUNEDOL CYMRU www.chcymru.org.uk

Caerdydd gyfer Arloesi

NEWYDDION

POLISI

ffenestr ar

yn Ewrop GWLEIDYDDIAETH

MATERION GWLEDIG

Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Arolwg Llywodraethu: Cyflenwi Gwasanaeth Cymunedau Gwledig Cymdeithasol yn cefnogi Canfyddiadau Sector Cyhoeddus: mewn Argyfwng Moneyline Cymru Allweddol Agenda Cydweithredol –– p3

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GAIR GAN Y PRIF WEITHREDYDD

Arloesi nid Adnewyddu!

“Yn ôl Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru cafodd y gair arloesi yn ei ystyr cyfoes, sef torri tir newydd, ei ddefnyddio yn y Gymraeg ers yr 16eg ganrif.”

Cynhyrchwyd gan: Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru Tŷ Fulmar Beignon Close Ocean Park Caerdydd CF24 5HF 029 2055 7400

Er y caiff ei ddefnyddio’n eang, mae arloesi fel arfer yn cyfeirio at greu neu wella cynnyrch, technolegau neu syniadau. Mae arloesi yn wahanol i adnewyddu oherwydd bod arloesi fel arfer yn golygu newid sylweddol neu wahaniaeth yn hytrach na newidiadau mwy cronnus.

Wel i optimist dylai olygu fod gennym yr amodau perffaith ar gyfer arloesi a chyflenwi. Bu Grŵp Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru yn gweithio gydag aelodau ac yn comisiynu syniadau newydd yr ydym eisiau eu rhannu gydag aelodau a’r cyhoedd yn ehangach.

Mae toriadau mewn rhaglenni cyfalaf gwariant cyhoeddus yn effeithio’n ddwfn ar y gymuned tai cydfuddiannol, caiff ein tenantiaid a’n ffrydiau incwm eu bygwth gan doriadau mewn budd‐daliadau, ac rydym yn orddibynnol ar fenthyca traddodiadol gan y banciau, gyda’r darparwyr yn ymddangos eu bod yn dod yn gynyddol daer i gryfhau mantolenni drwy ail‐brisio benthyciadau. Mae gan yr IMF arweinydd newydd ac mae’r byd wedi edrych wrth i Wlad Groeg, crud democratiaeth, ddod o fewn trwch blewyn i weld trasiedi dyled newydd.

• Mae’r Fforwm Cyllid wedi cydweithio i lunio syniadau newydd ar gyllid bond a chyllid cydweithredol, partneriaethau gwasanaeth cyhoeddus newydd a chyflenwi gwasanaeth ehangach.

Dyluniwyd gan Arts Factory Golygydd Edwina O’Hart (CHC) Cyfranwyr: Nick Bennett (CHC) Clare Williams (CHC) Kevin Howell (CHC) Bethan Samuel (CHC) Sioned Hughes (CHC) Amanda Oliver (CHC) Arfon Hughes, Swyddog Galluogi Tai Gwledig, Gwynedd Emma Shepherd, Morrison Ffrancon Williams, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

Yn nes adref mae gennym Lywodraeth Cymru dan ei henw newydd yn ceisio ‘delifro, delifro, delifro’ a rhyddid cyllidol a phwerau benthyca newydd. Eto mae ein heconomegwyr yn gresynu colli Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru, ac ymddengys fod llywodraeth leol yn wynebu ad‐drefnu llechwraidd drwy adolygiad Simpson a chreu consortia addysg newydd. Ac yn dilyn buddugoliaeth Alex Salmond yn etholiadau’r Alban, nid oes unrhyw arwydd i’w weld o ddiwygio Barnett neu hyd yn oed ‘lawr’ Holtham.

Yn ychwanegol at hyn, fel y gwelsom gyda’r streic pensiynau ddiwedd mis Mehefin, mae hyd yn oed hirhoedledd cynyddol dynolryw (a fyddai mewn cyfnod arferol yn stori newyddion da) yn rhoi hyd yn oed mwy o bwysau ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus!

Community Housing Cymru

CHCymru

2 Rhifyn Awst | Medi

Beth ddylai hyn i gyd olygu ar gyfer darparwyr cydfuddiannol tai, gofal ac adfywio?

• Mae Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru a Care & Repair Cymru wedi cyd‐gomisiynu ymchwil gan y Kafkha Brigade sy’n cynnig cyfleoedd newydd ar gyfer cydweithredu rhwng y sector tai a’r sector iechyd er mwyn cynyddu capasiti i ddelio gyda phwysau cymdeithas sy’n heneiddio (gweler tudalen 4/5).

• Yn ‘The Collective Entrepreneur’ gwelwyd Kevin Morgan ac Adam Price yn cynnwys posibiliadau newydd ar gyfer ymestyn cydfuddioldeb.

• Mae menter Moneyline Cymru eisoes wedi helpu 5,000 o bobl sydd wedi eu hallgau’n ariannol.

• Mae aelodau wedi cynnig buddsoddiad nid‐er‐elw o £250m i Lywodraeth Cymru dros y pedair blynedd nesaf os cawn ninnau fframwaith polisi cyson a chefnogol.

Rydym yng nghanol storm berffaith. I oroesi mae angen i ni fod yn uchelgeisiol ac nid nerfus. I lwyddo mae angen i ni fod yn ddewr ac nid cyndyn. Mae’n amser arloesi! Wnaiff adnewyddu ddim mo’r tro.

Nick Bennett Prif Weithredydd Grŵp Nick‐bennett@chcymru.org.uk

NEWYDDION

Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Cymdeithasol i gefnogi Moneyline Cymru Fis diwethaf cyhoeddodd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Cymdeithasol, partneriaeth o chwech o fusnesau mwyaf Prydain, becyn o gefnogaeth i Moneyline Cymru.

Ddwyrain Cymru i ddeg ychwanegol ar draws Cymru, ynghyd â chanolfan alwadau, gyda’r potensial ar gyfer gwasanaeth symudol i rai ardaloedd gwledig erbyn 2014.

Cafodd y buddsoddiad ei hyrwyddo gan Brif Weithredydd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Cymdeithasol, Adele Blakeborough, sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd ac a fu’n aelod o Fwrdd Gweinidogol Llywodraeth Cymru ar Fenter Gymdeithasol.

Mae angen mawr am Moneyline Cymru a hyd yma mae wedi cwblhau mwy na 5,000 o fenthyciadau yn Ne Cymru gyda gwerth cyfartalog o £400. Talwyd dros £177,000 i dros 3,000 o gyfrifon cynilo gan gwsmeriaid sy’n credu na all pobl gynilo neu nad ydynt yn fodlon gwneud hynny.

Cydnabu Moneyline Cymru fod eu menter gymdeithasol yn ehangu’n gyflym ac yn tyfu’n rhy fawr i’w systemau technoleg gwybodaeth pan ragorodd ar ei darged 3 blynedd i ddarparu 4,500 o fenthyciadau hanner ffordd drwy ei ail flwyddyn o weithredu. Arweiniodd cyfarfod drwy ddamwain gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Cymdeithasol at gynnig buddsoddiad arian a fedrai fod yn werth £300k i wella a chryfhau technoleg bresennol a helpu i ostwng amser prosesu benthyciadau. Fodd bynnag, mae gwir werth y pecyn cefnogaeth yn y mentora ychwanegol. Bydd mewnbwn proffesiynol gan Credit Suisse, un o bartneriaid yr Ymddiriedolaeth, yn gymorth gydag ailstrwythuro corfforaethol i gefnogi cynlluniau ehangu uchelgeisiol Moneyline.

Mae Moneyline Cymru hefyd wedi ychwanegu pump o gynghorwyr arian – un ar gyfer pob swyddfa bresennol.

Darperir y gwasanaeth yma gan CHC drwy gyllid gan y Loteri Fawr. Mae’r cynghorwyr arian yn helpu cwsmeriaid na all fforddio benthyciad i ganfod ateb arall heblaw benthyca llog uchel ar garreg y drws a siarcod benthyca anghyfreithlon. Mae Uned Benthyca Arian Anghyfreithlon Cymru yn amcangyfrif bod dros 15,000 o bobl yng Nghymru yn benthyca gan fenthycwyr arian anghyfreithlon bob blwyddyn ac mae gweithio i atal y math hwn o fenthyca yn hollbwysig ar gyfer cymunedau iach a diogel.

Bydd CHC a chymdeithasau tai yng Nghymru yn parhau i weithio’n agos gyda Moneyline Cymru i’w alluogi i wireddu ei uchelgeisiau ac i sicrhau fod gan denantiaid fynediad i gredyd fforddiadwy, cyfrifon banc sylfaenol a’r cyfle i gynilo er mwyn eu helpu i gael mynediad i well deliau ar eu benthyca yn y dyfodol.

Clare Williams Swyddog Cynhwysiant Ariannol Clare‐williams@chcymru.org.uk

Gyda help yr Ymddiriedolaeth Busnes Cymdeithasol, gall Moneyline Cymru, a gafodd ei sefydlu a'i ran‐ariannu gan 17 o gymdeithasau tai yng Nghymru a Chyllid Cymdeithasol, ehangu nifer ei swyddfeydd o’r pump presennol yn Ne

Mynd am yr Aur… Morrison, y darparydd atgyweiriadau a chynnal cadw blaenllaw, yw aelod Aur Masnachol cyntaf Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru. Ymunodd y cwmni, sy’n gweithio ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, â Cartrefi Cymunedol oherwydd ei ymgyfraniad eang yn y sector tai cymdeithasol ledled Cymru a’i ddealltwriaeth wych o’r sector.

Mae Morrison yn gofalu am ac yn rheoli dros 50,000 o gartrefi a 4,000 o

adeiladau cyhoeddus ar gyfer ei gleientiaid, sy’n cynnwys cymdeithasau tai, awdurdodau lleol a sefydliadau rheolaeth hyd braich.

Dywedodd Emma Shepherd, rheolydd busnes newydd rhanbarthol Morrison: ‘Penderfynodd Morrison dod yn Aelodau Masnachol Aur o CHC oherwydd ein bod yn cydnabod bod eu gwaith ar hyd a lled y wlad yn cynnig cyfle i ni wirioneddol gefnogi tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru.’

Hoffai CHC hefyd ddiolch i aelodau masnachol presennol sydd wedi uwchraddio eu haelodaeth i aur.

I gael gwybodaeth bellach ar becynnau masnachol Cartrefi Cymunedol, cysylltwch â Jenny‐horton@chcymru.org.uk.

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POLISI

Cefnogi Gwell Canlyniadau Iechyd yng Nghymru

“Gall LCC ac asiantaethau Comisiynwyd Kafka Brigade UK ar y cyd gan Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru a Care & Repair Cymru i gynnal ymchwil i ddynodi cyfleoedd i’r sector tai cymdeithasol i gefnogi canlyniadau iechyd, yn neilltuol wrth ddiwallu anghenion ein cymdeithas heneiddiol.

Mae’r Kafka Brigade yn dîm ymchwil gweithredol annibynnol, nid‐er‐elw sydd gyda chenhadaeth i fynd i’r afael â chamweithrediad biwrocrataidd a mân reolau sy’n atal pobl rhag cael mynediad i’r gwasanaethau y maent eu hangen. Cynhaliwyd yr ymchwil yma gan Megan Mathias, Cyfarwyddydd Kafka Brigade UK, a chymerodd dros 30 o weithwyr proffesiynol yn y sector tai a’r sector iechyd yng Nghymru ran drwy grwpiau ffocws a chyfweliadau.

4 Rhifyn Awst | Medi

Gofal a Thrwsio fod â rôl allweddol drwy gefnogi’r boblogaeth heneiddiol drwy gydweithio gydag iechyd.

”

Roedd gan yr ymchwil dri chwestiwn ymchwil penodol: 1. Beth yw’r darlun presennol yng Nghymru?

2. Pa wasanaethau ‘iechyd’ eraill a gaiff eu darparu yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd gan landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig/asiantaethau Gofal a Thrwsio/sefydliadau eraill y trydydd sector mewn rhannau arall o’r Deyrnas Unedig?

3. Beth felly yw’r prif gyfleoedd i ymestyn darparu gwasanaethau ‘iechyd’ gan LCC a Gofal a Thrwsio yng Nghymru?

Y cam cyntaf oedd sefydlu llinell sylfaen darpariaeth bresennol yng Nghymru. Drwy wneud hynny, dynodwyd

POLISI

patrwm bras o weithgaredd LCC mewn gwasanaethau cysylltiedig ag iechyd. Roedd hyn yn cynnwys cymdeithasau tai traddodiadol sydd yn dal i fod â’r genhadaeth o fod yn ddarparwyr tai diben cyffredinol, sydd fel arfer yn cynnwys rhai tai gwarchod; cymdeithasau tai traddodiadol sydd wedi manteisio ar gyllid Gofal Ychwanegol ac felly’n cynnwys nifer fach o unedau Gofal Ychwanegol yn ogystal â thai cyffredinol a thai gwarchod; ac yn olaf, nifer lai o gymdeithasau tai a wnaeth y penderfyniad strategol i ddod yn ddarparwyr gofal ac sy’n canolbwyntio’n gynyddol ar ofal ychwanegol a gofal nyrsio. Cynhaliodd Cartrefi Cymunedol hefyd ddadansoddiad manwl o ddarpariaeth gymunedol bresennol LCC o ofal iechyd a ddarparwyd fel atodiad yn yr adroddiad terfynol.

Roedd y cyfleoedd eraill yn cynnwys: arweinydd tai/iechyd yn Llywodraeth Cymru; partneriaid tai mewn modelau gwasanaeth cymunedol; dogfennu ‘pwy sy’n gwneud beth’; yr angen am dystiolaeth galed.

Dylai’r syniadau a gyflwynir yn yr ymchwil yma helpu rheolwyr gweithredol a gweithredwyr yn y GIG, cymdeithasau tai, gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ac asiantaethau Gofal a Thrwsio i ymchwilio’r cyfleoedd ymarferol a gyflwynwyd. Mae’r rhain i gyd yn gyfleoedd a all arwain at integreiddio gwasanaethau o amgylch anghenion dinasyddion, gan alluogi atal argyfwng a hefyd ymyriad cynharach pan fo problemau yn codi, sydd i gyd yn addo gwell gwerth am arian cyhoeddus.

Dynodwyd pum cyfle allweddol o fewn yr ymchwil i gynnig y potensial o gefnogi gwell canlyniadau ar gyfer dinasyddion ar draws Cymru, o bosibl ar lai o gost i’r pwrs cyhoeddus. Mae pob un yn cysylltu ag atal/oedi derbyn i ysbyty neu ryddhau effeithiol o ysbyty: 1. Cefnogaeth rhyddhau cynnar mewn cynlluniau Gofal Ychwanegol a chartrefi nyrsio.

2. Ehangu gofal nyrsio nid‐er‐elw.

3. Cynyddu lefel y gofal sydd ar gael mewn tai gwarchod a chynlluniau Gofal Ychwanegol.

4. Cefnogaeth barhaus i alluogi pobl hŷn i fyw’n fwy annibynnol ac iachach adref.

5. Pentrefi cydfuddiannol gofal parhaus.

Sefydlwyd amrediad o bethau sy’n rhwystro cydweithredu agosach rhwng iechyd a thai oedd yn cynnwys perthynas anwastad rhwng GIG Cymru a chymdeithasau tai; darpariaeth seilo, iaith a diwylliant; heriau caffaeliad a’r angen am dystiolaeth galed.

I alluogi symud ymlaen â’r cyfleoedd a ddynodwyd, cynigiwyd wyth syniad ar gyfer gweithredu ar lefel polisi yn cynnwys: 1. Rhoi arwydd strategol bod cydweithredu rhwng iechyd a thai yn rhan ddisgwyliedig o agenda diwygio’r GIG.

Mae’r ymchwil wedi rhoi cyfle gwirioneddol i LCC ac asiantaethau Gofal a Thrwsio i weithio’n agosach gydag iechyd i gynyddu capasiti i ddelio gyda phwysau cymdeithas sy’n heneiddio. Er ei bod yn newyddion cadarnhaol fod pobl yn byw’n hirach, mae hyn yn achosi pwysau ychwanegol ar y gofal a chymorth a ddarperir gan y GIG sydd eisoes dan bwysau. Gall LCC ac asiantaethau Gofal a Thrwsio fod â rôl allweddol drwy gefnogi’r boblogaeth heneiddiol drwy gydweithio gydag iechyd, a dylai’r cyfleoedd a gyflwynir yn yr adroddiad yma fod yn gatalydd ar gyfer newid wrth symud ymlaen.

Kevin Howell Swyddog Polisi a Gwybodaeth kevin‐howell@chcymru.org.uk

2. Cyfres fer o ‘gynadleddau cyfle’ gyda hwylusydd lle medrir ystyried y cyfleoedd a nodir yn yr adroddiad yma ar lefel ranbarthol.

3. Eglurdeb ar weithredu rheoliadau caffaeliad a chymorth gwladol i gymdeithasau tai.

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POLISI

Arolwg Llinell Sylfaen Llywodraethu Nodwyd nad oes unrhyw ddata llinell sylfaen ar lywodraethu cymdeithasau tai yng Nghymru. Er mwyn mynd i’r afael â hyn, cynhaliodd CHC arolwg gyda’n haelodau a chafod 33 ymateb o wahanol rannau o Gymru.

Yn 2010, lansiodd Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru y Siarter ar gyfer Llywodraethu Da a chanllawiau atodol ar gyfer aelodau. Er nad yw’r arolwg yn cynnwys pob agwedd o’r Siarter, y mae’n canolbwyntio ar gyfansoddiad bwrdd, sut y caiff aelodau bwrdd eu cefnogi a rôl CHC wrth gefnogi gwelliant parhaus mewn llywodraethu.

Dyma rai o’r canfyddiadau allweddol: • Mae gan fyrddau 11 o aelodau ar gyfartaledd.

• 59% o ymatebwyr yn teimlo fod eu bwrdd yn adlewyrchu amrywiaeth y gymuned.

• 67% wedi defnyddio gwasanaethau ‘Dewch Ar y Bwrdd’ CHC i recriwtio aelodau bwrdd.

• 97% â chod ymddygiad ar gyfer aelodau bwrdd.

• 94% o aelodau bwrdd yn derbyn Cartref.

• Mae’r holl ymatebwyr yn rhoi hyfforddiant sefydlu ffurfiol i aelodau bwrdd gyda 79% yn dilyn cynlluniau dysgu a datblygu ar gyfer aelodau bwrdd.

• 72% â chynllun gwella llywodraethu.

• 94% yn rhoi cyfle i bobl sy’n dymuno sefyll ar gyfer y bwrdd i ganfod mwy am y sefydliad a rôl aelodau bwrdd cyn iddynt sefyll.

• Pob un o’r sefydliadau a ymatebodd wedi llofnodi Siarter Llywodraethu Da CHC. • 100% o aelodau bwrdd yn derbyn cylchlythyr gwybodaeth aelodau bwrdd.

• 75% wedi dynodi bylchau sgiliau penodol ar eu bwrdd.

6 Rhifyn Awst | Medi

Gofynnwyd i ymatebwyr awgrymu ffyrdd y gall CHC gefnogi sefydliadau i sicrhau gwelliant parhaus mewn llywodraethu. Roedd yr atebion yn cynnwys: • Parhau cefnogaeth i ddeall y fframwaith rheoleiddio.

• Cyfleoedd rhwydweithio a dysgu ar gyfer aelodau bwrdd.

• Cynyddu ymgyfraniad a chyfleoedd ar gyfer rhai ar lefel swyddog.

• Sicrhau y rhoddir gwybodaeth allweddol i fyrddau heb eu ‘gorlwytho’.

• Hwyluso rhannu arfer da.

Diolch i’r sefydliadau a gymerodd ran yn ein harolwg.

Bydd CHC yn adolygu pob ymateb i sicrhau ein bod yn parhau i gefnogi aelodau ar faterion llywodraethu, a byddwn hefyd yn ystyried yr amrediad o syniadau a gaiff eu manylu yn yr ymatebion unigol i’r arolwg.

Kevin Howell Swyddog Polisi a Gwybodaeth Kevin‐howell@chcymru.org.uk

NEWYDDION YN GRYNO

Caerdydd

Trosglwyddo Carthffosydd Preifat

ffenestr ar gyfer Arloesi yn Ewrop Cynhaliwyd Cynhadledd CECODHAS Housing Europe yng Nghaerdydd ym mis Mehefin ar wahoddiad CHC. Croesawodd Nick Bennett, cynrychiolydd y Deyrnas Unedig ar CECODHAS, gynrychiolwyr o’r sector tai cymdeithasol a gwirfoddol o bob rhan o Ewrop.

Edrychodd y gynhadledd ar rôl allweddol cronfeydd strwythurol ar gyfer ynni cynaliadwy yn y DU gan ddynodi a dangos prosiectau ynni effeithiol arloesol i atal newid yn yr hinsawdd a thlodi tanwydd drwy fuddsoddi mewn tai. Cefnogodd cynrychiolwyr y galwadau gan CECODHAS i’r Undeb Ewropeaidd gynyddu’r gyfran o Gronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop (ERDF) a werir ar effeithiolrwydd ynni ac ynni adnewyddadwy yng nghyfnod nesaf y rhaglenni.

Drwy broses ymgynghori, penderfynodd y Llywodraeth y dylid trosglwyddo perchnogaeth carthffosydd preifat a draeniau ochrol yng Nghymru a Lloegr i gwmnïau dŵr a charthffosiaeth fel yr opsiwn gorau ar gyfer cynnal a chadw hirdymor. Y dyddiad ar gyfer trosglwyddo carthffosydd a draeniau ochrol yng Nghymru yw 1 Hydref 2011. Fe wnaethom gynnal tair seminar ranbarthol gyda Dŵr Cymru fis diwethaf i amlinellu’r hyn y bydd y newidiadau hyn yn ei olygu i gymdeithasau tai a thenantiaid. Mae mwy o wybodaeth am y trosglwyddo ar wefan Dŵr Cymru: www.dwrcymru.com.

Cyhoeddwyd fis diwethaf y cynyddodd y gyfran o ERDF o 4.5% fel y mae heddiw i o leiaf 20% yng nghyfnod nesaf y rhaglenni. Cyhoeddwyd hefyd fod cyllideb gynyddol ar gyfer Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop (ESF) gyda ffocws ar hyfforddiant a chynhwysiant cymdeithasol.

Polisi Newydd ar gyfer Rhenti Tai Cymdeithasol ‐ diweddariad

Yn awr bydd y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd yn gwneud cynigion deddfwriaethol ar gyfer pob un o’r polisïau/rhaglenni hynny. Ddiwedd mis Medi, gyda chyhoeddi’r cynigion deddfwriaethol ar gyfer y Polisi Cydlyniaeth, bydd y sector yn gorfod gwthio holl sefydliadau’r Undeb Ewropeaidd (yn arbennig Senedd Ewrop a’r Aelod Wladwriaethau) i droi addewidion y cynnig cyllideb yn gyflwyniadau go iawn. Bydd CHC yn gweithio gyda rhanddeiliaid allweddol i sicrhau y gall Cymru gael mynediad i’r cyllid a rhedeg prosiectau sy’n parhau â’r gwaith da a arddangoswyd yng Nghaerdydd.

Newyddion Aelodau

Efallai i chi sylwi nad oes unrhyw newyddion aelodau yn y rhifyn hwn. Caiff newyddion aelodau yn awr ei ddosbarthu mewn cyhoeddiad electronig misol newydd fydd yn ein galluogi i gynnwys llawer mwy straeon yn cynnwys enghreifftiau o arloesedd ac arfer gorau.

Daliwch i anfon eich straeon at Bethan‐samuel@chcymru.org.uk os gwelwch yn dda.

Yn rhifyn diwethaf Cartref fe wnaethom amlinellu dogfen ymgynghori Llywodraeth Cymru, Polisi Newydd ar gyfer Rhenti Tai Cymdeithasol, sy’n cynnig polisi cenedlaethol newydd ar gyfer gosod rhenti gan LCC ac Awdurdodau Lleol sy’n berchen ar stoc tai.

Ers hynny fe wnaethom drefnu digwyddiad ymgynghori llwyddiannus ar 26 Mai, cytunodd y Gweinidog i ymestyn y cyfnod ymgynghori i 1 Awst ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cynnal yr ymarferiad modelu ac wedi’i ddosbarthu i bob LCC unigol.

Mae Cartrefi Cymunedol yn croesawu’r egwyddor o gael rhent targed canllaw ar gyfer pob blwyddyn ariannol gyda hyblygrwydd medru gosod rhenti ar gyfer anheddau unigol. Mae’n dileu’r ansicrwydd sy’n gysylltiedig gyda’r system bresennol, yn caniatáu cydgyfeirio gyda rhenti awdurdodau lleol ac yn dal i roi hyblygrwydd lleol. Mae’r cynigion hefyd yn gydnaws gyda phrosesau cynllunio busnes ac mae’n galluogi’r sector i fod â ffocws ar ganlyniadau.

Fodd bynnag, dengys canlyniadau’r modelu dechreuol fod y cyfrifiad i osod yr amlen rhent genedlaethol a lleol yn seiliedig ar enillion, prisiau’r farchnad tai a marchnadoedd rhent preifat yn achosi amrywiadau ac yn gyffredinol bod ardaloedd cost is yn gweld gostyngiad mewn incwm. Mae hyn yn peryglu hyfywedd gwasanaeth a chyflenwad cartrefi yn yr ardaloedd hyn yn y dyfodol. Adeg mynd i’r wasg, mae CHC yn gweithio gyda’i aelodau i ddatblygu cynnig sy’n cadw atebolrwydd ac eglurdeb i denantiaid, yn sicrhau fod y sector yn medru cyflawni’r addewidion sydd yn eu cynlluniau busnes, heb fod yn peryglu buddsoddiad yn y dyfodol a hefyd yn rhoi sicrwydd i fenthycwyr.

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GWLEIDYDDIAETH

Agenda Cydweithredol Goblygiadau ar gyfer y Swyddogaeth Tai Strategol?

Gyda chraffu cynyddol ar wariant cyhoeddus yng Nghymru, caiff cwestiynau eu gofyn am werth ac effeithiolrwydd darpariaeth gwasanaeth sector cyhoeddus.

Comisiynwyd Adolygiad Simpson fis Medi diwethaf gan Carl Sargeant AC, Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol, a ddywedodd fod trefniadau darpariaeth awdurdodau lleol yn rhy gymhleth, gan ychwanegu fod ailadrodd swyddogaethau a gwasanaethau yn creu dyblygu diangen ac o ‘werth amheus’. Mae’r adroddiad yn cynnwys 21 argymhelliad ac yn canolbwyntio ar gydweithredu fel modd o gryfhau darpariaeth gwasanaethau sector cyhoeddus drwy amrediad o opsiynau yn cynnwys caffael ar y cyd a rhannu swyddogaethau corfforaethol.

Ychwanegodd: ‘Nid yw Adolygiad Simpson ynglŷn ag ad‐ drefnu llywodraeth leol neu uno awdurdodau lleol. Mae ynglŷn a gwell patrymau o gyflenwi gwasanaethau fydd yn ein galluogi i dargedu cyflenwi gwasanaethau at ddinasyddion ac i wneud hyn ar y lefel fwyaf priodol – p’un ai yw hynny ar lefel leol, ranbarthol neu genedlaethol.’

Cafodd y pwyslais ar gydweithredu hefyd ei gadarnhau’n ddiweddar gan Gyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch Cymru a ddywedodd y dylai nifer y sefydliadau addysg uwch erbyn 2013 adlewyrchu anghenion rhanbarthol gyda dim mwy na dau sefydliad ym mhob rhanbarth. Mae arweinwyr prifysgol yng Nghymru yn gryf o blaid dull gweithredu strategol i sicrhau fod darpariaeth yn y dyfodol yn cryfhau cyflenwi gwasanaeth.

Roedd cydweithredu hefyd yn amlwg yn ‘Adolygiad Cymorth sy’n Gysylltiedig â Thai’ Mansel Aylward yn 2010.

Mae’r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at werth pwyllgorau cydweithredu wrth ddarparu rhaglen Cefnogi Pobl effeithiol sy’n diwallu anghenion ac yn cefnogi darpariaeth ehangach gwasanaeth sector cyhoeddus.

8 Rhifyn Awst | Medi

Mae’r holl ddatblygiadau hyn yn dangos cyfeiriad teithio clir ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru.

Beth mae hyn yn ei olygu ar gyfer y Swyddogaeth Tai Strategol?

Mae swyddogaeth tai strategol cryf mewn awdurdodau lleol yn hollbwysig i sicrhau fod cyflenwad tai'r dyfodol yn addas i’r diben ac yn diwallu anghenion a gofynion pobl sy’n byw yng Nghymru. Wrth i doriadau mewn gwariant cyhoeddus frathu, bydd y swyddogaeth tai strategol hyd yn oed yn bwysicach wrth sicrhau: • bod tai’n parhau’n flaenoriaeth pan adolygir cyllidebau.

• y caiff yr adnoddau cyfyngedig sydd ar gael eu targedu’n effeithiol.

• y caiff effeithiau gwaethaf diwygio budd‐dal tai eu lliniaru.

Gwyddom eisoes, yn dilyn trosglwyddo stoc tai, fod y swyddogaeth tai strategol mewn rhai awdurdodau wedi crebachu ac yn dioddef o ddiffyg adnoddau. Yn yr awdurdodau lleol hyn medrem yn rhwydd weld pwysau am fwy o gydweithredu rhanbarthol.

Drwy gynyddu adnoddau i’r eithaf a sicrhau y rhoddir digon o ffocws ar ddiwallu’r angen am dai, medrai cydweithredu gynnig datrysiad i broblemau presennol a darparu swyddogaeth tai strategol llawer cryfach. Mae eisoes beth gweithio traws‐ffin mewn rhai awdurdodau lleol ac i’r rhain ni fydd cydweithredu rhanbarthol ond yn ymestyn gwaith sy’n mynd rhagddo eisoes. Gallai fod yn fwy o her i eraill – er yn un a fedrai, yn ôl yr ymchwil, gynnig manteision sylweddol ar gyfer tai yng Nghymru.

Amanda Oliver Pennaeth Polisi ac Ymchwil Amanda‐oliver@chcymru.org.uk

SAFBWYNT AELOD

Adeiladu Dyfodol Gwell Economi Gwynedd yn elwa o fuddsoddiad CCG Sefydlwyd Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG) ym mis Ebrill 2010 wrth i 6,300 o dai drosglwyddo o’r Cyngor yn dilyn pleidlais ‘ie’ gref gan denantiaid flwyddyn ynghynt.

Yr angen i gyrraedd Safon Ansawdd Tai Cymru (SATC) oedd y sbardun i’r newid yng Ngwynedd ac mae’r newid wedi sicrhau buddsoddiad o £136 miliwn yn y stoc dros gyfnod o 5 mlynedd, a £446 miliwn dros 30 mlynedd.

Digon hawdd gweld, felly, bod sefydlu CCG nid yn unig yn golygu gwell cartrefi i denantiaid ond hefyd yn mynd i roi hwb i economi Gwynedd. Mae’n cynnig cyfleoedd busnes a chyflogaeth newydd, a chyda dim ond ychydig dros flwyddyn ers trosglwyddo, mae’r buddsoddi wedi dechrau a rhai o’r addewidion ar fudd economaidd eisoes yn cael eu gwireddu.

Mae sawl cwmni o Ogledd Cymru eisoes wedi sicrhau cytundebau ar gyfer gwaith SATC. Lovell Partnership sydd wedi ei benodi fel y prif gontractwr. Fel rhan o’u cytundeb rhaid iddynt ddangos eu bod yn cyflogi a chynnig cyfleoedd hyfforddiant lleol.

Eisoes maen nhw yn cyflogi tua 30 o bobl leol ac wedi rhoi cytundebau i fusnesau o Wynedd.

Fel un o gyflogwyr mwyaf yr ardal a chorff sydd â chyfrifoldeb cymdeithasol mae’n bwysig hefyd ein bod ninnau yn datblygu ac yn cynnig swyddi o safon a chyfleodd hyfforddiant lleol ein hunain. Drwy weithredu’r model caffael arloesol yma, ein nod yw creu swyddi o safon fydd yn denu unigolion â lefel uchel o sgiliau. Bydd hyn yn galluogi CCG i reoli cytundebau mawr a chau’r bwlch sy’n cael ei lenwi ar hyn o bryd gan gwmnïau ac ymgynghorwyr arbenigol.

Mae sicrhau bod cymunedau ac economi’r sir yn elwa o’n buddsoddiad yn rhan allweddol o’n gweledigaeth fel cymdeithas. I sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd rydym wedi cyflwyno system gaffael arloesol sy’n cynnig mwy o sicrwydd a chyfle i fusnesau cynhenid Gwynedd.

Mae’r model yn unigryw i CCG ac mae wedi ei greu i atgyfnerthu a datblygu’r economi leol. Mae’r fframwaith arferol sy’n cael ei ddefnyddio gan gymdeithasau ar gyfer rhaglenni gwella yn golygu defnyddio un neu ddau gontractwr mawr i gwblhau’r holl waith. O’r cychwyn rydym wedi penderfynu peidio â dilyn y trywydd traddodiadol hwn o gaffael.

Mae model CCG yn gweithio drwy rannu gwaith buddsoddi SATC, gyda bron i hanner y cytundebau ar gael i gwmnïau llai yn ogystal â bod ag un prif gontractwr.

Roedd y meini prawf cyn‐gymhwyso i dendro ar gyfer cytundebau SATC wedi eu symleiddio i annog cwmnïau lleol i ymgeisio. Am y tro cyntaf mae’r cwmnïau llwyddiannus yn cael cytundebau pedair blynedd yn hytrach na blwyddyn, sy’n cynnig sicrwydd ac yn eu galluogi i gyflogi mwy o staff a phrentisiaid yn uniongyrchol yn ogystal â chynnig cyfle iddynt dyfu fel busnes.

Er mwyn hwyluso hyn mae CCG yn cyflogi swyddogion yn uniongyrchol i reoli’r cytundebau a’r gadwyn gyflenwi ac i roi cefnogaeth i gwmnïau llai i gyflawni gofynion y contractau.

Gwaith gwella SATC ym Mhwllheli

Mae datblygu ein gweithlu yn flaenoriaeth i ni ac rydym yn gweithio gyda sefydliadau addysg yng Ngwynedd i hyfforddi a datblygu staff. Rydym yn cyflogi tua 220 mewn 10 lleoliad ar draws y sir. Mae tua 60 o’r rheiny yn cynnwys gweithwyr aml‐sgil a byddent hwythau hefyd yn gweithio ar y rhaglen fuddsoddi.

Megis dechrau mae ein cynllun SATC, byddwn yn gweithio yn galed dros y misoedd a’r blynyddoedd nesaf i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau tenantiaid a chymunedau ar draws y sir, yn ogystal â hybu’r economi lleol.

Ffrancon Williams Prif Weithredwr

9

MATERION GWLEDIG

Cymunedau Gwledig mewn Argyfwng

Amser i ddeffro i’r posibiliadau

“Pan ofynnwyd i mi ysgrifennu’r darn yma ar gyfer Cartref o safbwynt tai gwledig yng Nghymru, gofynnais i fy hunan ‘Pa elfen o dai gwledig nad yw mewn cyflwr o argyfwng ac ansicrwydd y gallaf ysgrifennu’n gadarnhaol amdano?’”

Mae cymunedau gwledig yn y newyddion yn gyson y dyddiau hyn yn dioddef o argyfwng ac ansicrwydd o wahanol fathau. Ar gyfer y rhai ohonoch sy’n byw yng nghefn gwlad, nid yw’n rhaid i chi edrych ymhell i weld arwyddion ‘Ar Werth’ o flaen busnesau lleol neu brotestio am gau swyddfeydd post, capeli ac eglwysi, tafarndai ac ysgolion yn yr hinsawdd bresennol o doriadau ar wario cyhoeddus. Mae cymunedau gwledig yn wynebu mwy o drafferthion nag erioed o’r blaen ac mae’n aml yn teimlo fel nad oes neb y medrwn droi atynt am gefnogaeth.

Ymddengys fod pawb a phopeth yn milwrio yn erbyn cadw cymunedau gwledig yn hyfyw a chynaliadwy.

Mae adroddiadau dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf wedi tanlinellu ffactorau sy’n rhwystro prynwyr tro cyntaf rhag prynu tai gwledig, y nifer fawr o dai gwag y medrid eu defnyddio i gartrefu’r miloedd ar restri aros, diffyg tai fforddiadwy i bobl leol sy’n gorfod gadael yr ardal lle cawsant eu magu yn ogystal â diffyg cyfleoedd ar gyfer

10 Rhifyn Awst | Medi

pobl leol. Ar ben hyn, mae incwm fesul person wedi gostwng. Arweiniodd hyn at i fwy o bobl orfod ystyried opsiwn rhatach i gael to dros eu pennau drwy rentu’n breifat neu, os ydynt yn ddigon ffodus, i brynu eu cartref eu hunain ar ddaliadaeth niwtral a wnaed yn bosibl gan waith Swyddog Tai Gwledig, y talir yn rhannol amdano yn defnyddio Grant Tai Cymdeithasol.

Mae 11 o swyddogion tai gwledig yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd sydd nid yn unig yn ymchwilio anghenion tai eu cymuned ond hefyd yn gweithio fel canolwyr rhwng cynghorau cymuned, pobl leol, cymdeithasau tai a’r parciau cenedlaethol. Cafodd llawer o ddatblygiadau eu dwyn i ffrwyth gyda chynlluniau o dri neu bedwar tŷ mewn pentrefi gwledig i ddwsin neu fwy mewn pentrefi mwy yn ystod yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf oherwydd gwaith y swyddogion tai gwledig. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r cynlluniau hyn y tu allan i ffin datblygu pentrefi ar dir sy’n eiddo’r awdurdod lleol mewn partneriaeth gyda’r cyngor

MATERION GWLEDIG cymuned lleol. Cânt eu cefnogi gan yr awdurdodau cynllunio a thai yn ogystal â chymdeithasau tai a fu’n gyfrifol am sicrhau Grant Tai Cymdeithasol gan Lywodraeth Cymru i helpu adeiladu rhai o’r cartrefi hyn.

Pwyslais y Swyddog Tai Gwledig yw sicrhau fod perchnogaeth leol o gynllun ac yn aml y sicrwydd i gymuned y defnyddir polisi gosodiadau lleol i sicrhau fod cartrefi lleol yn mynd i bobl leol.

Mae awdurdodau cynllunio a thai yn awr yn gweld rôl y swyddogion tai gwledig fel un strategol, gan sicrhau fod gwybodaeth am angen tai, datblygu cynlluniau gwledig a pherthynas a phartneriaeth adeiladol gyda chymunedau oll yn rhan o’u rôl. Comisiynwyd David Hedges, Ymgynghorydd Polisi Tai Cartrefi Cymunedol, i gynnal adolygiad o brosiectau swyddogion tai gwledig ar draws Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi rhan‐ariannu’r swyddi am gyfnod o dair blynedd. Daw hynny i ben yn y flwyddyn ariannol bresennol a bydd yr adroddiad yma, a gyhoeddir yn nes ymlaen eleni, yn adlewyrchu’r cynnydd a wnaed gan dynnu sylw at y rhwystrau a’r cyfleoedd fydd yno yn y dyfodol. Mae 144 o gartrefi wedi’u cwblhau neu bron â’u cwblhau mewn rhannau o Gymru wledig hyd yma fel canlyniad i rôl swyddogion tai gwledig a chwblhawyd nifer o gynlluniau yn yr ardaloedd lle bu swyddogion tai gwledig yn gweithio am dros dair blynedd.

Fodd bynnag, ar gyfer y swyddogion tai gwledig hynny sy’n gymharol newydd i’w swyddi, mae natur y gwaith rhagarweiniol o ddynodi angen yn cymryd amser ac nid yw’n rhwydd cyflenwi pob cynllun tai newydd.

Mae angen ystyried fod arolygon angen tai lleol wedi dangos fod angen tai yn cynyddu’n barhaus a bod grant tai cymdeithasol yn gostwng, fydd â chanlyniadau sylweddol i gymunedau gwledig.

Mae cynllun tai ac adfywio Cymdeithas Tai Eryri mewn partneriaeth gydag ardal Cymunedau yn Gyntaf Pen Llŷn ym Motwnnog yn enghraifft o arfer da ar sut i gyplu tai a datblygu cymunedol. Caiff y cynllun, sydd bron yn barod, ei adnabod fel ‘Tai, Gwaith, Iaith’ ac mae’n cynnwys 12 o dai teulu a chanolfan fenter newydd ar gyfer cwmnïau sy’n cychwyn arni. Gobeithio y bydd canlyniadau tai a’r ganolfan newydd yn sbarduno adfywio yn y gymuned a sicrhau dyfodol cynaliadwy ar gyfer pobl leol. Mae’r arwyddion yn gadarnhaol ac mae’r ganolfan fenter yn debygol o agor ei drysau yn nes ymlaen eleni.

Drwy greu partneriaeth gyda chymdeithasau tai, mae gan gynlluniau ar safleoedd eithriad lle mae prisiau tir yn is fwy o obaith o ddwyn ffrwyth. Mae’r swyddog tai gwledig ym Mhowys yn gweithio i ddarparu cynllun ar safle eithriad yn dilyn arolwg o angen tai. Cafodd y safle ei gyfyngu gan bolisi cenedlaethol i dai fforddiadwy sydd yn golygu, er mwyn i’r datblygydd a’r gymdeithas tai sicrhau hyfywedd ariannol, y caiff canran o dai marchnad agored ei ystyried. Ni fyddai’r cynllun yn mynd rhagddo fel arall.

Mae’r cynllun, a gefnogir gan yr awdurdod lleol, yn wyriad o bolisi cynllunio ac mae’n achos prawf arloesol.

Mae swyddogion tai gwledig Cymru yn wynebu nifer o heriau yn y dyfodol – llai o Grant Tai Cymdeithasol, benthycwyr yn anfodlon derbyn cytundebau Adran 106 sy’n cyfyngu defnydd lleol ar anheddau, llai o dir addas ar gael ar gyfer datblygu oherwydd cyfyngiadau cynllunio ac amgylcheddol, a llai o botensial i adnewyddu adeiladau gwag a chyfleoedd cyflogaeth sy’n mynd law yn llaw gyda thai. Un elfen bendant yw bod angen i awdurdodau fod yn fwy hyblyg a medru mynd ati i ganfod cyfleoedd gyda phartneriaid yn ogystal â buddsoddi wrth sicrhau dyfodol cefn gwlad. Yn amlach na pheidio, dylai swyddogion tai gwledig annibynnol gael eu hystyried yn ‘asedau cymunedol’ sy’n gweithio gyda chymunedau gwledig ac yn gweithredu fel catalydd ar gyfer darparu mwy o gartrefi fforddiadwy.

Os yw cymunedau gwledig yn y newyddion y dyddiau hyn yn pledio am chwarae teg ac yn ceisio cadw eu hasedau ar gyfer y genhedlaeth nesaf, yna mae’n amser i’r cymunedau hyn ddeffro i’r posibiliadau sydd ar gael iddynt yn hytrach na thorri eu calon. Bydd pob newid, pa bynnag mor fach, yn her i’r cymunedau. Mae’n amser i gymunedau gwledig ddechrau cydweithio’n agosach er mwyn sicrhau dyfodol cynaliadwy – mae nifer fawr o gymunedau gwledig eisoes yn sefydlu mentrau cymdeithasol ac yn dod yn gyfrifol am asedau er mwyn sicrhau dyfodol ar gyfer eu gwasanaethau lleol ac mae’r pwysau yn awr ar gymunedau’n cymryd mwy o rôl wrth gyflenwiar angen. Mae cyflenwi tai gan gymunedau yn dod yn fwy derbyniol ac mae rhai’n sefydlu Ymddiriedolaethau Tir Cymunedol i fodloni anghenion tai a gwasanaethau yn ogystal â sicrhau asedau cymunedol ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Mae gan gymunedau gwledig le i droi iddo i gael cefnogaeth, a gall swyddogion tai gwledig helpu yn y cyswllt hwn drwy gynnig cefnogaeth fydd yn helpu i gadw cymunedau gwledig yn hyfyw a chynaliadwy.

Arfon Hughes Swyddog Tai Gwledig, Gwynedd

11

CYNADLEDDAU AC HYFFORDDIANT I gael mwy o wybodaeth am ein cynadleddau, cysylltwch â rhian‐robinson@chcymru.org.uk os gwelwch yn dda.

I gael mwy o wybodaeth am ein cyrsiau hyfforddiant, cysylltwch â jenny‐horton@chcymru.org.uk os gwelwch yn dda.

Cynadleddau: MEDI 2011

HYDREF 2011

HYDREF 2011

TACHWEDD 2011

15

6/7

20

24/25

Cynhadledd Cysylltiadau Cyhoeddus Gwesty Parc Thistle CAERDYDD

Cynhadledd Rheolaeth a Chynnal a Chadw Tai Gwesty Metropole LLANDRINDOD

Cynhadledd Adnoddau Dynol Gwesty Parc Thistle CAERDYDD

Cynhadledd Flynyddol Gwesty Hilton CAERDYDD

Cyrsiau Hyfforddiant: AWST 2011

MEDI 2011

MEDI 2011

MEDI 2011

22

20

21

26

Diweddariad ar Fudd‐daliadau CAERDYDD

Taliadau Gwasanaeth: Materion Ymarferol, Problemau a Datrysiadau CAERDYDD

Treth ar Werth ar gyfer Staff Cyllid Cymdeithasau Tai CAERDYDD

Budd‐daliadau ar gyfer Tenantiaid gyda Phroblemau Iechyd CAERDYDD

HYDREF 2011

HYDREF 2011

TACHWEDD 2011

TACHWEDD 2011

3

5

7

28

Cyflwyniad i Gymdeithasau Tai CAERDYDD

Treth ar Werth ar gyfer Staff Stadau a Datblygu Cymdeithasau Tai CAERDYDD

Trosolwg ar Fudd‐daliadau CAERDYDD

Budd‐dal Tai ar gyfer Staff Tai Cymdeithasol CAERDYDD

Eisteddfod Dewch i ymweld â ni ar stondin 713/714 yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn Wreccsam rhwng 30 Gorffennaf a 6 Awst.

12 Rhifyn Awst | Medi