Audit Commission chair suggests less scrutiny for best housing associations
The chair of the Audit Commission has unveiled plans to overhaul inspection and lift the regulatory burden on high-performing housing associations.

James Strachan said there could be fewer inspections for the best in the sector. He also hinted that a form of the comprehensive performance assessment, which was introduced last year for councils, could be applied to registered social landlords.

Strachan said: "We need a system that identifies who is good and who is not so good. Then we need to inspect proportionately.

"There is an overarching need for lighter regulation that will allow us to focus on improvement.

"Inspection should not be seen as a year-in, year-out process – it makes sense to have one baseline and then make decisions to inspect against that baseline. That way, associations are freed up and resources are spent more effectively."

The new inspections regime's other priorities would include:

  • inspectors' questions to be tailored specifically to improving performance, so they'd have to ask fewer
  • inspectors to focus on areas that affect tenants most directly
  • cooperation with the Housing Corporation to ease regulation of some associations.

Strachan added that it would be made easier for tenants to compare associations' performance with councils.

Howard Farrand, chief executive of Coventry-based Whitefriars Services, said: "It's an impressive vision and I'll be even more impressed if the message can be made to reach the roots of the commission. [Strachan] will be judged on performance."

Source

Housing Today