JOB OF THE WEEK: GET YOUR TOP JOB HERE!
12 March 2010

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SPOTLIGHT
12 March 2010

PORTILLO TO SPEAK AT FEDERATION'S HOUSING FINANCE CONFERENCE, COVENTRY
12 March 2010

Michael Portillo Former Tory cabinet minister Michael Portillo will outline what impact a new government will have on the affordable housing sector when he addresses the National Housing Federation's finance conference later this month. Mr Portillo, who served as chief secretary to the Treasury and local government secretary during a glittering political career, has been confirmed as a speaker at the Federation's three-day conference at Warwick University, Coventry, which gets underway on March 24. Mr Portillo, who has reinvented himself as a successful broadcaster and political commentator, will also address what a hung Parliament could mean for effective government, and how housing will fare under both a Conservative and Labour government. Michelle Mone, the entrepreneur behind the Ultimo underwear brand is another famous face speaking at this year's conference. Clare Miller, executive director, at the Tenants Services Authority, and Richard Hill, corporate director at the Homes and Communities Agency, will meanwhile explain the steps that were taken to set up and establish their agencies during an extraordinarily turbulent period, and what the future now holds for both organisations. The event, which attracts a wide variety of delegates including chief executives, finance directors and board members, is the leading finance conference in the sector. Delegate places for the event are still available. To book your place, or if you would like more information, please visit www.housing.org.uk/events, call 020 7067 1066 or email events@housing.org.uk

ONE THIRD OF ESTATE AGENTS PROVIDE UNSATISFACTORY HIPS
12 March 2010

Trading Standards at Birmingham City Council, in conjunction with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), have undertaken the most comprehensive estate agent and Home Information Pack (HIP) enforcement exercise yet by any Trading Standards authority nationally. The survey results provide a revealing insight into the estate agency, HIP and personal search markets. Results revealed that 70% (26 HIPs in total) were rated satisfactory or reasonably satisfactory with 30% (11 HIPs in total) rated unsatisfactory when measured against the HIP regulations, often leaving buyers with no idea who to contact if they have any cause for complaint relating to the content of the HIP. They have been compulsory since late 2007. In the vast majority of cases, it is the estate agent who is responsible for ensuring that a HIP is produced, but individual private sellers must also comply. The HIP is designed to help potential home buyers make a decision on the sale, by making important property information available at an early stage, including; an Energy Performance Certificate, local authority searches, title documents, guarantees, etc. The Birmingham survey aimed to identify if estate agents; had HIPs in place for the properties being marketed, were making packs available at the appropriate time, were ensuring packs contained all the required documents and were being provided in the format prescribed by the regulations, and whether the contents were accurate. Particular attention was paid to the accuracy of local search information. The survey set out to test approximately 25% of the estate agent market within the Birmingham boundary. Teams of Trading Standards staff went to previously identified estate agents, selecting properties being marketed and requesting HIPs to be sent to Trading Standards. As a result, 40 HIPs were requested from as many agents across the city. Only 37 packs were received and examined, as one property selected was found not to require a HIP since it had been marketed prior to the regulations coming into force. A further two agents were unable to provide HIPs on request and were subsequently issued with penalty charge notices and referred to the OFT for failing to comply with the regulations. The HIPs were then forwarded to the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) for inspection and checking. Given the complexity of the information, a grading system was developed so that each HIP would be scrutinised using the same criteria and a compliance grading assigned accordingly. Of particular note was the markedly better performance of HIP and Search Code of Practice subscriber firms against unregistered firms, with 87% of HIP Code subscribers ranking satisfactory or reasonably satisfactory and personal searches being found to be on a par with those sourced from local authorities. The most common faults included: • no information on complaint / redress procedure • no consumer information • no company contact details • technical Issues with the search • HIP Index related issues Birmingham Trading Standards will now formally contact the estate agents, HIP providers and search firms involved in the survey to inform them of their individual results. Any non-compliant companies will be asked to take corrective action as a matter of urgency.

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TRIDENT RESIDENTS MEASURE UP SERVICES THROUGH ‘OPEN DOORS’
12 March 2010

The Trident Group opened its doors to residents in Birmingham, Sandwell and South Derbyshire earlier this week, to encourage and empower residents to influence and shape the quality and choice of services delivered to them. The purpose of these interactive advisory sessions was to raise awareness of existing services and enable residents to have their say on how their homes are managed. The different options available for residents to become directly involved in decision making were also discussed. This includes membership of management boards, steering and focus groups, as well as participating in regular surveys. With its own Resident Involvement Champions, one of whom has been shortlisted as the TPAS Tenant of the Year 2010, working closely with residents is important to Trident. In follow up to the ‘Residents’ Think Tank’ focus groups, which took place in 2009 as part of Trident’s status survey, the ‘open days’ were a resounding success attracting almost 200 residents. Some 93% of attendees were in agreement that they had thoroughly enjoyed the event and found it informative and beneficial to meet members of staff. This included frontline staff, the Group Chief Executive and Directors. Over 31% of residents said that there had been considerable improvement in Trident’s services over the last 12 months. This can be attributed to the increased level of resident involvement, which is helping to guide the services, ensuring that they meet the needs of residents and the local community. This was echoed by 64% of residents, who agreed that Trident involves customers in decision making about the services and the business overall most of the time. With homes geographically dispersed across the Midlands, it is important for residents to feel a high level of engagement with staff when they contact the office by telephone. This was resonated by 86% of residents who were happy with the service and agreed that it was both helpful and professional. John Morris, Trident’s Group Chief Executive, said: “As a social business we have a significant impact on the social and economic fabric of the communities in which we operate. We want our residents to assess and influence the services we provide. The ‘open doors’ events are the first of many and serve as two-way advisory sessions, to ensure that residents’ views are at the heart of decision making. We will be looking to recruit an additional 10 Resident Involvement Champions over the coming months to increase resident participation and help us to build on our successes to date.”

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TENANT LIAISON OFFICER GETS SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
12 March 2010

Tenant Liaison Officer (TLO) Ellen Hughes is celebrating after being shortlisted for a ‘Tenant Liaison Officer of the year’ award for her outstanding work in the community. Ellen, who works for Coleshill-based community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) West Midlands,, has been nominated for this year’s Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Connecting People Awards. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 18 at St John’s Hotel in Solihull, Birmingham. The award recognises Ellen’s remarkable achievements when it comes to working closely with tenants and helping to transform communities in areas where the Government’s Decent Homes programme is taking place. FHM has been working in partnership with Redditch Borough Council in the delivery of a £9.6 million investment scheme to bring 3,300 properties up to the Government’s Decent Homes standard by 2012. Ellen’s role as a TLO involves providing constant contact between tenants and the site team and supplying them with accurate information and support at all times. She visits properties on a daily basis to update tenants on progress and keeps a tenant diary to help tenants identify the programme of works scheduled to take place in their homes. Ellen puts the needs of the community before her own and regularly goes beyond the call of duty. On one occasion, Ellen noticed that one of her tenants was looking unwell and quickly realised the tenant was diabetic and had suffered a hypo. Ellen sat with the tenant for over an hour to make sure the tenant had recovered before leaving for her next job. Ellen, 26 said: “I’m thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award. “I get a great deal of satisfaction from working at the heart of the community as a Tenant Liaison Officer and supporting people while they have their homes transformed.” Ellen’s ongoing dedication towards work has led to a 97% return rate for questionnaires and an average 98% customer satisfaction score relating to all her properties every month. Her commitment has helped many people through the refurbishment process, and holding tenant surgeries and ‘meet the builder days’ is an ideal way for Ellen to engage with the local community. One of Ellen’s notable achievements involved supporting the ‘What’s Your Point’ charity by arranging for FHM to install a new kitchen, cooker and fridge, free of charge. The charity, which is based at the Bryant building in Redditch, supports youngsters who have become disengaged from mainstream activity. Martin Kennedy, Customer Care Manager, said: “We are delighted that Ellen has been shortlisted for this award which is thoroughly well deserved as she is a real asset to our team. “Ellen continually goes the extra mile to help tenants. I think she is so successful at what she does as she always makes time for her tenants and is able to understand what the individual tenant is going through. She is a credit to the team at FHM who are working hard to improve neighbourhoods and bring about quality homes in Redditch.”

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THOMAS VALE RECEIVE AWARD FOR 10 YEAR COMMITMENT TO INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
12 March 2010

Thomas Vale staff celebrate Midlands-based contractors Thomas Vale Construction have received a prestigious award for their long standing commitment to Investors in People. The Company has been recognised for 10 years and has implemented high standards throughout the business with the help of Investors in People. Investors in People are the most successful framework for business improvement through people in the UK. It is used by more than 30,000 organisations in over 50 countries. The Investors in People framework offers a wealth of opportunity to deliver the results companies need to improve productivity and take their organisations further. Jane Jones, Acting Chief Executive of Investors in People UK, said,“The best advocates for Investors in People are the organisations who have been recognised time and again and who bear testimony to its effectiveness through successive reviews. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Thomas Vale Construction for their achievement which demonstrates an ongoing commitment to their workforce.“ Tony Hyde, Managing Director, also added:“We are delighted to of received this award, and are proud to be part of Investors in People. With this framework over the past 10 years, the company has held high standard and will continue to achieve and go beyond the standards set by Investors in People.” Thomas Vale has a turnover of £214million and 830 employees. Recently they have celebrated a record month with over £52 million of new projects secured, bringing the companies forward workload in excess of £550 million.

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HOUSING NEWS: JOBS AND TENDERS ROUND-UP
12 March 2010

Housing News is advertising the following jobs and tenders on its regional newsletters: Housing News is advertising the following jobs and tenders on its regional newsletters: JOBS Hammersmith United Charities is seeking a Trustee - Housing Specialist. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/london/job. West Kent Housing Association is seeking a Policy/Service Improvement Manager. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/london. Closing Date: March 18. The Northern Housing Consortium is seeking a Procurement Manager based in Sunderland, salary circa £31k + benefits. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/northeast. Closing date: March 22. North Glasgow Housing Association is inviting tenders for Internal Audit Services. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: April 2. Almond Housing Association is seeking a Housing Manager. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: March 12. Almond Housing Association is seeking a Corporate & Development Administration Assistant. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: March 12. Almond Housing Association is seeking a Debt Recovery Officer [Part Time]. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: March 12. The Northern Housing Consortium is seeking a Chief Executive based in the North East, salary £108k + benefits. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/northeast. Closing date: March 15. Melville Housing Association is seeking a Housing Assistant (Temporary). For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: March 12. Melville Housing Association is seeking a Property Manager. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: March 15. To reach the best candidates in the social housing sector, advertise your top jobs in one of our eight regional newsletters or go national to over 40,000 readers. For more information, call Hucksters on 01892 784804.

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