Changing the way we do housing A conference on strategic housing
Thursday, 10th November 2011, York Racecourse In conjunction with:
The Local Government Group
The ongoing reforms to housing policy, finance, planning and welfare support are setting a new operating context, enabling them with: to make decisions about the In conjunction amount of new housing to build, the use of existing social housing and how best to employ local resources. They will also have more scope to work with housing and other partners to improve individual and community wellbeing, through the new health and wellbeing boards. Meanwhile, the affordable rent programme, the requirement for tenancy strategies, and changes to financing housing- related activity, makes housing providers more central to the strategic housing process. When combined with huge reductions in public expenditure, it is clear that affordable and private rented housing will play different roles in many communities. Local authorities and housing providers must work together in new ways to make the most of these changes, to provide strategic leadership in housing and to achieve positive outcomes for their citizens and customers. We are holding this timely conference in conjunction with the Local Government Group to provide an opportunity for local authorities and their housing partners to learn more about the impacts of the housing reforms and hear from experienced senior practitioners how they are planning to work within the new operating context. By attending this conference you will: Find out the latest on the Government’s housing reform programme. Hear from practitioners who are finding new ways to increase the supply of new homes in difficult market conditions. Learn how local partners are going about producing a tenancy strategy. Discover new ways of attracting resources for housing and related services. Explore how housing can support public health outcomes. Get ideas for supporting collaborations and partnerships. Learn about the strategic process and how it is changing. Have opportunities to reflect, discuss and exchange ideas with peers about how to embrace the changes and refashion the strategic housing role.
Who should attend? Any senior executives in housing, neighbourhoods and planning who are working for local authorities; housing associations and arms-length management organisations. Also any elected members and private developers and anyone who wants to hear the latest developments in practice and policy relating to housing. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Delegates will be able to record 4 Continuing Professional Development hours for attending this conference.
Programme 9.45
Registration and refreshments
10.15
Chair’s introduction and welcome
10.20
The Government’s housing strategy Nick Stripe, Senior Policy Advisor, Housing Strategy, Department of Communities and Local Government The Department of Communities and Local Government will provide an update on the Government's Housing Strategy, setting out the Coalition's priorities and goals relating to housing.
10.50
A foot in the door - getting housing into the health and wellbeing agenda Ed Harding, Partner, HK Consulting As the new leaders of health and wellbeing start to take up their roles, housing has a choice – wait and see, or get a foot in door. In this session Ed will: look at the changing policy landscape around leadership for health and wellbeing explore how housing can punch its weight with the new Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) drawing on recent work commissioned by the Northern Housing Consortium reconsider the housing sector offer in an era of budget cuts, outcomesfocussed commissioning and large scale reorganisation
11.20
Questions and discussion
11.35
Refreshments and exhibition viewing
11.55
Professional practice sessions 1. Increasing the supply of homes Sheila Johnson, Director, Development and Enterprise, Gateshead Council Joe Docherty, Executive Director, Enterprise and Development, Home Group Home Group, in partnership with Galliford Try has recently been announced preferred bidder by Gateshead Council to develop an assortment of high and low value sites, including council-owned land. This session will explain: how the deal works how it delivers more housing for less how it meets the requirements of the Council, Home Group and their private sector partner
2. Putting homes to good use Richard Roe, Housing Strategy Manager, Trafford Council Helen Bellis, Housing Research and Policy Manager, Rochdale Council The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities is working together and with housing partners to produce a joint Tenancy Strategy Framework. Richard and Helen will explain the: process they are going through to shape the strategy framework the key issues they are considering in developing the proposals
3. Improving existing homes Hayley Hulme, Director of New Business and Partnerships, Plus Dane Darryl Lawrence, Director, Rochdale Housing Initiative Local authorities and housing provider partners across the Liverpool City region are collaborating to enhance their work on empty homes and make it costeffective. In this session Hayley will: talk through the approach being taken how good practice is shared how they are bringing together a ‘basket’ of solutions and plays to the strength of each of the partners
4. Supporting vulnerable people and communities Martin Cheeseman, Former Chair, ADASS Housing Network Over 50% of Directors of Adult Social Care also have housing responsibilities reflecting the growing importance of linking housing and care to other agencies within and beyond the local authority. As the supporting people programme dissolves, and care and health undergo radical reform, Martin will explore the options available to local authorities and providers to refashion the way they support and care for people and communities. This session will cover. personalisation of care and support – can it offer VFM? community- models for supporting people improving the customer journey
5. The New Homes Bonus – risks and opportunities for the North Brian Robson, Policy and Strategy Manager, Northern Housing Consortium The New Homes Bonus sits at the intersection of ambitious government plans to reform housing, planning and local government finance. With latest figures showing housing starts and completions continuing to fall, the incentive scheme is yet to have a major impact on housing supply. With reference to a recent research report published by the Northern Housing Consortium, this session will cover: The scope of the research in examining public and professional attitudes to the concept of the New Homes Bonus. How the Bonus affects the North in the short and medium term. Examples of how Northern local authorities are grasping the opportunities the Bonus offers in their areas Outline the key findings in the report.
12.50
Lunch
13.45
Developing the strategic housing function Merron Simpson, Director, New Realities This session will look at the development of the strategic housing role over recent years and how the framework compares with other areas of strategic planning. It will set the scene for the final panel session that will explore the potential future direction for the function.
14.05
Local Government Group - supporting the sector Clarissa Corbisiero, Senior Advisor, Local Government Group Clarissa will speak about the how the Local Government Group’s is working to support the sector to embrace and implement housing and related reforms.
14.20
Professional practice sessions 6. Increasing the supply of homes Sheila Johnson, Director, Development and Enterprise, Gateshead Council Joe Docherty, Executive Director, Enterprise and Development, Home Group Repeat of morning session.
7. Putting homes to good use Helen Reed, Housing Strategy Manager, Cambridge City Council Sue Beecroft, Sub Regional Housing Co- ordinator, Cambridge Sub- Region The combination of the Affordable Rent programme and Reforms to Housing Benefit will change the way local housing markets operate. This session will cover: How local authorities and housing providers can co-operate to model the impact on housing markets Using new and existing tools – such as the tenancy strategy, lettings and under-occupation strategies – to ensure they are making the best use of homes. The Council’s work across the sub-region.
8. Improving existing homes Johnny Lighten, National Landlords Association The private rented sector is becoming increasingly important in meeting housing needs, particularly the needs of homeless households. In this session Johnny will share the perspectives of private landlords on: Approaches to improving the physical quality and management in the sector How to support positive relationships between landlords and their tenants
9. Supporting vulnerable people and communities Sam Sykes, Asset Strategy Manager, Chevin Housing Association Ltd Sue Perry, Head of Public Health, NHS Wakefield District/Wakefield MDC This session maps transformation of a standard housing association refurbishment programme into a community development programme that is fully embedded in the public health department of the local authority. This session will explain: How the approach is built on the principles of co-production and commissioning, is asset-based, and recognises human as well as capital and other community assets The crucial links to the Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessments that are being drawn up
How the approach works in a way that allows communities to feel in control creates a pathway for mental wellbeing
10. The New Homes Bonus – risks and opportunities for the North Brian Robson, Policy and Strategy Manager, Northern Housing Consortium Repeat of morning session.
15.15
Panel debate: where is all this leading us? Lee Shostak, Chair of Shared Intelligence and of the Town and Country Planning Association, will facilitate a debate with key sector leaders on future directions in housing policy and practice, and on the changing shape of the strategic housing role. The panel includes: Deborah McLaughlin, HCA Executive Director North West Eugien Jaruga, Director of Partnerships, Keepmoat Limited Paul Beardmore, Director of Housing, Manchester City Council (member of AGMA) Simon Rogers, Chief Executive, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing Cath Purdy – CEO Tristar/Vela Group Johnny Lighten, National Landlord’s Association
16.15
Chair’s closing remarks
16.20
Close of conference
Changing the way we do housing A conference on Strategic Housing Thursday, 10th November 2011, York Racecourse Delegate fees
Early booking discount: book before 13th October 2011
Northern Housing Consortium Member
£199
£179
Non Member
£249
£229 All delegate fees are shown excluding VAT.
How to book Online To book your delegate place at this event and to view our full terms & conditions and cancellation policy, please click below.
Book Online
Telephone To make a provisional booking please telephone our events team;
0191 566 1000 Please note any telephone reservations are made on a provisional basis and must be confirmed in writing within 2 working days.
Contact us For further information or if you have a query please contact a member of the events team: Telephone: 0191 566 1000 Email: events@northern-consortium.org.uk
Download a copy of the programme here