Northern Housing Summit Northern Innovation, Northern Opportunity 22 and 23rd November 2011, York Racecourse
Supported by:
As the Government’s plans move from policy to implementation, it is clear that there is a fundamental shift in what government expects the sector to deliver. This year’s Summit will provide NHC members with some real insight, clarity and direction on the intended and unintended consequences of these policies and the wider economic environment. Built around four themes: Opportunity North Investment North Innovation North Future North For each theme, we will examine those issues relevant to the North, with keynote speakers who will provide objective opinions on national and international issues affecting our region.
The word ‘challenging’ has been used many times to describe the state of the economy and the impact of public sector reforms, and circumstances in the North magnify these challenges. However, we also recognise the opportunities being taken by NHC members to demonstrate their creativity and innovation. This year, our annual conference is focussing on these opportunities and showcasing the best of the North’s innovation capabilities, including our well established ‘Silver Screen’ awards. And, in addition, we will be taking a more indepth look at what the future for housing in the North will look like in its broadest context. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to attract such high profile speakers from across both public and private sectors, which will help demonstrate the wider impact housing can play in society and the economy. The conference will provide an essential opportunity to engage with us in understanding the wider changes taking place, as well as the chance to meet and network with all our members from across the North. I look forward to seeing you there.
Jo Boaden, Chief Executive
9.45am
Registration and refreshments
10.15am
Chair’s welcome and opening address John Craggs, Chair, Northern Housing Consortium John will open with the chair’s address, setting the context for the Summit and profiling the NHCs response over the coming year.
10.30am
The economy and housing – what lies ahead? David Miles, Bank of England, Monetary Policy Committee Member The state of the economy is going to be a major feature throughout the lifetime of this parliament. As someone with a real interest in the role housing can play in the economy this opening session will focus on: the latest assessment of the UK economy prospects for the housing market to 2015 what opportunities and stimulus might there be to allow housing to contribute to economic growth
11.05am
Ministerial Address Andrew Stunell OBE, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DCLG The Government’s Localism Bill is due to be enacted by the end of the year, and is supported by its forth-coming Housing Strategy. In his Ministerial address, Andrew will set out the Government’s latest thinking on what powers and opportunities this will give the housing sector and where they expect them to make most use of them. In addition, the address will seek to set out the wider role the Government thinks housing can play in driving economic growth and safer communities.
11.30am
A new age of partnerships – managing complex relationships Helen Bailey, Chief Executive, Local Partnerships (TBC) The structural change taking place in both the public and private sectors means that we are going to have to get used to working even more effectively with a wider range of partners in much more complex relationships. Managing these partnerships effectively for the right outcomes will involve developing new skills and systems. In this session Helen will explain: what the challenges are for local authorities and housing providers entering into these new partnerships what lessons can be learned from previous complex partnerships how do you manage the risks effectively what are the tangible benefits of this new approach
12.00pm
Breakout sessions 1. HRA reform – getting prepared
Ken Lee, Director of Resources, Wigan and Leigh Housing and Chair, CIPFA Local Authority Housing Panel In the biggest change to HRA funding ever, this session will explore the latest developments and advice on preparing for implementation: freedom at last - now let’s make it work! getting the finances right plan, plan, plan keeping everyone informed seeing is believing
2. Active asset management – opportunities for real efficiencies Robert Grundy, Head of Housing Investment Consultancy, Savills
Having an active asset management strategy has become even more important but what are the essential elements to achieving a successful one? In this session, Robert will explore: obtaining and maintaining accurate market rents data knowing the financial performance of your housing stock optimising the value of your assets to you and your residents valuation in the future
3. Housing as a driver for economic growth
Chaired by Isobel Mills, Director, BIS, Yorkshire & Humber and North East Toby Lloyd, Head of Policy, Shelter Karl Tupling, Head of Strategy, Programme and Performance, HCA Brian Robson, Policy Services Manager, Northern Housing Consortium This session will explore: the costs of inadequate housing supply economic impacts of housing investment housing and labour markets housing’s contribution to ‘Plan B’ is the Northern offer different? impact of new homes bonus on the North – the latest NHC research
4. Social media and housing – opportunities and threats Nick Atkin, Chief Executive, Halton Housing Trust One Vision Housing and Panda Media This session will explore: impact of social media / anti social media smart phone technology / usage / future resident habits digital inclusion Panda Media iHome app value for money
5. A foot in the door: a guide to engaging housing and health
Sarah Taylor, Policy Services Manager, NHC and toolkit case study (Newcastle CC) Despite a growing evidence base for the role of housing in improving health outcomes, closer partnerships have often proved an elusive goal. The changes to the health and wellbeing system and the challenges of efficiency savings present an excellent opportunity for local partners to revisit their relationships. This session will: explain a new tool developed for the Northern Housing Consortium explore how the tool will help housing organisations plan and execute an engagement strategy that will place housing firmly at the heart of the new arrangements for health and wellbeing include a case study example.
1.00pm
Lunch and exhibition viewing
2.00pm
Sub plenary sessions 1. More than just housing – housing as a neighbourhood investor or housing landlord? Cllr Richard Kemp CBE, Chair, Plus Dane Alison Thain OBE, Chief Executive, Fabrick Group John Hocking, Executive Director, JRF Jameel Malik, Head of Housing & Property Services, Warwick DC and Executive Board Member, ARCH In this session, Richard, Alison, John and Jameel will explore: the changing role of housing organisations and set out the barriers opportunities and messages the sector will need to take forward if it is to play a stronger role in moving beyond its traditional landlord roots whether housing has gone beyond its brief and should it just stick to being a good landlord
2. Towards a redistributive localism: making the case for a new housing investment framework beyond 2015 Brendan Nevin and Philip Leather, Nevin Leather Associates As some of the leading figures behind the North’s campaign for greater resources for housing renewal, Philip and Brendan will focus on what comes next, including: the implications of the Coalition Governments Localism framework the changing patterns of need and opportunity the challenge for the Housing profession at the next CSR issues for the North
3. Funding the future – housing as an investment vehicle Piers Williamson, Chief Executive, The Housing Finance Corporation With new options for investment in housing being developed how good an investment is the sector, especially to new potential institutional investors? In this session Piers will set out: the current state of the markets and funders where housing sits in terms of being a reliable investment vehicle
3.00pm
Refreshments
3.30pm
The changing legal Scene – opportunities to innovate in the North Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Two Garden Court Chambers In this session Jan will focus on: social housing allocation: a fresh start? social housing tenure: exploring the new options framing a decent local tenancy strategy – affordable, flexible, but clear preparing for change again on anti social behaviour a partnership with the private sector? – the homelessness option embracing the ‘rights and equalities’ agenda for housing in 2012
4.15pm
Public sector reform – housing and local authorities in 2015 Chaired by Jo Boaden, Chief Executive, Northern Housing Consortium David Cowans, Group Chief Executive, Places for People Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive, Wakefield Council In this closing plenary slot, David and Joanne will explore what the public sector reform agenda and ensuing economic climate will mean for housing providers and local authorities in the lead up to the next election. In particular: are there too many housing providers doing the same thing averagely – is the sector an easy target for criticism? what are the new partnerships that will need to be formed and who is best placed to lead on them? should housing providers stick to provision and management of housing or can they fill a third sector role in education, employment and support provision how will local authorities need to change and how will their strategic housing function evolve? what will the sector look and feel like in four years time?
5.15pm
Close of conference day
7.30pm
Northern Silver Screen Awards Gala Dinner
Evening Entertainment Northern Silver Screen Gala Awards Dinner Sponsored by:
The Northern Silver Screen competition showcases examples of best practice and innovation in housing projects that are making a difference at a grass-roots level within the North’s communities through a series of short films. Now in its fourth year, Northern Silver Screen 2011 focuses on capturing the ‘Big Society in Action’, with the following award categories: Community Activism Multi Agency Approach Social Enterprise The Northern Silver Screen has become extremely popular with more entrants this year than ever before. We have also attracted huge interest in this year’s competition from housing stakeholder’s and we are delighted to confirm that the final judging panel is made up of: Baroness Armstrong
Princes Trust
Department of Work and Pensions
John Bird, Founder and Editor in Chief, Big Issue
Stuart Macdonald, Editor, Inside Housing
Esh Property Services
The Gala Dinner, hosted by John Craggs, NHC Chair and Deputy Chief Executive at Gentoo, will showcase each of the shortlisted awards and announce the winners in each category. This promises to be a fantastic opportunity to share positive practice examples and network with colleagues. Places at this event are open to everyone whether you are attending the Summit conference or not! Attendance at the Gala Dinner is free to those attending the event. Cost to non conference delegates: Tables of 10: £400 Individual places: £45
Day 2 9.45am
Refreshments
10.00am Improving life chances – the role of housing
Frank Field MP and Chair, Independent review into poverty and life chances Appointed by David Cameron to explore the causes and solutions to poverty Frank will: reflect on the findings of the review comment on how the findings might develop comment on how they may impact on housing providers, including those in the private rented sector and local authorities
10.35am Developing a commercial focus - prospects for business and the economy Martyn Pellew, President, British Chambers of Commerce Developing a more commercial focus will be key to the survival of both private and public sector businesses. In this session Martyn will set out: what he sees are the structural and organisational changes that will need to take place the changing relationship between public and private sectors and what these changes will mean to the Northern regions
11.10am Breakout sessions 1. Fit for living – a role for housing providers in supporting ageing householders Malcolm Levi, Chair, Fit for Living network Malcolm chairs a project group of policy makers, practitioners and older activists, funded by HACT and Friends Provident. This group is looking at new ways of improving the housing conditions and well being of vulnerable and marginalised older home owners who are living on low incomes in poor quality and unsuitable housing conditions. In this session, Malcolm will explore: levels of demand in this particular group of households key issues affecting elderly householders around care and support and finance needs opportunities for housing providers to deliver services such as reversed shared ownership, handyperson schemes, energy efficiency measures, adaptations and links into the health and social care agendas
2. What next, now the money’s run out? Rethinking housing and communities from the bottom up Matt Leach, Chief Executive, HACT and Julian Dobson, Director Urban Pollinators With funding having run out, what are the options for regenerating Northern communities in the future? In this session Matt and Julian will explore: why building relationships at a community level is now as important as building homes making best use of existing resources to sustain community and place maximising the impact of asset transfer and community ownership how micro interventions at a neighbourhood level can catalyse change self help housing – supporting communities to do it for themselves
3. The new regulatory standards explained Jonathan Walters, Deputy Director, TSA
The TSA is publishing its revised standards for housing organisations. In this session, Jonathan will explain: what are the main features of the new standards? what has changed from the previous standards? how will the TSA be regulating them in practice? what opportunities do they offer to housing providers to innovate?
4. Tenant scrutiny – passing the new co-regulatory test Yvonne Davies, Director, Scrutiny Empowerment Partnership
With Tenant Scrutiny at the heart of Government’s plans to hold landlords to account, this session will explore: how can landlords support scrutiny panels to be most effective? what can landlords learn from the research into the work of the 10 co-regulatory champions? what arrangements could start now to ensure we are prepared for the democratic filter on complaints and how do we start to engage tenants in this new role? what plans are emerging for Tenant Cashback and what do we need to start doing? how can we promote the right to manage and what promotion will be expected?
5. Complaints and localism
Rafael Runco, Deputy Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman Service The issue of dealing with complaints and the democratic filter are likely to be the subject of much debate over the coming months as to how they will impact on housing organisations and local authorities. In this session, Rafael will explore: how the Localism Bill affects complaint handling in social housing strengthening the role of Tenant Panels, Councillors and MPs Housing Ombudsman reform
12.15pm Lunch 1.15pm
Sub plenary sessions
1. Housing and welfare reform – implications for the North
Professor Steve Wilcox, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York and member DWP Housing Benefit Strategy Committee Charlotte Harrison, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Northern Housing Consortium The Government’s planned changes are likely to have a major impact on tenants, housing providers and local authorities working in the North. Steve and Charlotte will focus on: impact of the new LHA regime impact on social landlords : size limits and & non dependent deductions Universal Credits: administrative implications, work incentive issues, the direct payment issue and issues for home owners specific issues for the North and what happens next
2. The story of Groupon
Nadav Rosenberg, General Manager Groupon UK &IE As one of the most innovative users of social media for collective purchase discounts, Nadav will give delegates a real insight into: his story of groupon – from idea to delivery – what did that journey look like, how did they deal with resources, competition, barriers to entry, finance, marketing what are the future plans for growth? where they see new markets coming from how do they see the commercial model developing and what opportunities would there be for new partners?
3. Innovating for the future Prof James Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation, De Montford University The challenge for leaders in the future is how can they provide the vision and direction for their business to ensure it can cope with the fundamental shift in the economy, ageing population and the environment. As one of the leading thinkers in this field James will share his research into how leaders need to change to innovate.
2.00pm
Refreshments
2.15pm
The future for affordable housing in the North Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive, Homes and Communities Agency (TBC) The Government has announced the first round of its affordable homes programme as a success likely to deliver 170,000 new homes by 2015. In this session Pat will explore: how has this worked for the North? what is likely to be the future of housing investment in the North what the bigger investment issues are what else the sector itself needs to do to meet these challenges
2.45pm
Innovation and opportunity in the public sector Sir David Henshaw, Board Member, NESTA and Chair NHS NW Drawing on the work he is leading with NESTAs Innovation panel, in this session David will look at: where innovation needs to grow from the type of innovation we should expect to see between the health and housing sectors in the future
3.15pm
Making the case for housing in the North Ian Mearns MP, Chair All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Housing in the North Jo Boaden, Chief Executive, Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) In this closing session, Ian and Jo will set out the case for what the Northern Housing Consortium and its MPs want to make for the future of housing in the North. They will set the tone for both the NHCs and APPGs work for the next 12 months, focussing on: investment barriers and opportunities future needs influencing CSR 2015
3.45pm
Close of conference
Northern Housing Summit Northern Innovation, Northern Opportunity 22 and 23rd November 2011, York Racecourse 2 Day
1 Day
NHC Member
*£299 + vat
£199 + vat
Non Member
*£349 + vat
£249 + vat
Delegate fees
**Book three places and only pay for two!
Silver screen awards dinner only £45 + vat *Delegate fees include attendance at the silver screen awards dinner. ** Only applies when booking 3 of the same type of delegate package.
Conference Accommodation The NHC are working with Naked Events to bring our delegates preferential rates for accommodation for the Northern Housing Summit. Please contact either Nikki 07769 158 319 or Anna 07921 835 792 or alternatively email info@nakedevents.co.uk
How to book Online To book your delegate place at this event and to view our full terms & conditions and cancellation policy, please visit;
www.northern-consortium.org.uk 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:
0191 566 1000 events@northern-consortium.org.uk