Thinking local
The challenges and opportunities facing housing providers
and their suppliers in the face of the recession, was
the focus of a speech by Ian Williams’ development director
this week.
Mike Turner led a main session, attended by all 250 delegates,
at the National Housing Maintenance Federation’s annual
conference.
The housing delegates at
the Stratford -based event heard Ian Williams’
perspective on how localism will affect clients and service
providers and the challenges and opportunities created from the
events of 2010. In respect of the Decentralisation and
Localism Bill key challenges highlighted for clients included
redesigning services to meet customer need, but delivering the same
(or more) on less money.
Opportunities discussed included local
benchmarking (chosen by tenants), an ability to tackle local
worklessness and a greater ability to put value for money over
price, based on tenant's wishes and choices.
The speech also looked at how clients' service
providers need to respond to the drive towards
self-regulation in housing sector, and whether there is a need
to rebuild trust in the client / supplier relationship following
the key events in 2010 which saw some providers left without a
repairs service. A commitment to employing apprentices and young
people, despite the economic climate, was also made by Ian
Williams. NHMF Committee member Paul Wenham of Southern Housing
Group chaired the well received session.
For a copy of Mike Turner's presentation,
please click here to download the PDF
Mike Turner delivers his paper on
the issues of Self Regulation