In a recent interview with The Times, Geraldine Peacock, incoming chair of the Charity Commission, suggested that the commission might take on a new role as umbrella organisation for the entire not-for-profit sector, including housing associations.

Do we really need to add another tier to a sector already burdened by heavy regulation?

On top of the regulation and inspection function undertaken by the Housing Corporation and Audit Commission, there are five other regulatory bodies affecting the work of housing associations, including the existing influence of the Charity Commission.

Our members are happy to be accountable, but they would also like the time to be able to deliver their services. Multiple regulation is a costly barrier to that objective.

At a time when the government's agenda for public services is driven by efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it is hard to see what would be achieved by creating the kind of sprawling super-quango Peacock is proposing.

Source

Housing Today

Postscript

Jim Coulter, chief executive, National Housing Federation