Scotland's social housing regulator has told a housing company it stands little chance of registering as a social landlord unless it gets rid of its paid executive board members
Weslo Housing Management, which owns more than 2300 homes for social renting in West Lothian, has operated as a company limited by guarantee, but with charitable status, since 1994. It had hoped to register as a social landlord.

But after an informal approach to the regulator, Communities Scotland, the housing company has been told it cannot satisfy the registration criteria without changing its constitution.

Weslo's four-member management team sit as directors on the board of 13, which meets to oversee the company's activities and take strategic decisions.

Mike Bruce, Weslo's policy and development director, said it was "in nobody's interest that a large social landlord is left outside the regulatory arena".

"Because of our work we thought we would meet the criteria of a social landlord, but it seems we are excluded because of our system of governance," said Bruce.

Bruce added that registration would allow Weslo to compete on a level playing field with other housing associations in obtaining development grants from Communities Scotland.

A spokesperson for Communities Scotland said: "Weslo Housing Association has not as yet formally applied for registration with Communities Scotland. We have been in discussion with them about meeting certain registration criteria and details are still being worked out."

David Orr, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said that despite moves to allow the payment of board members in England, there was "almost no push for something similar in Scotland".

"Communities Scotland can determine the registration criteria, and it says that board members should be voluntary," he said.

Weslo was formed to take control of 1822 homes as part of a large-scale transfer. It has since acquired a further 500 homes and now has an asset base of around £80m and an annual £6-7m turnover.

Weslo has received roughly £8m worth of grants from West Lothian council since being established, but has never been eligible to receive development grant.

Source

Housing Today