Strategic Report (continued) Risks and Uncertainties (continued) Assessment of change in risk from Risk Impact 2013/14 Mitigation of risk The uncertainty This is a new risk Delivery of core Establish open associated with the identified in 2014/15. services decline communications with staff transfer of housing to maintain morale through Detriment to Homes management to the transition. for Northumberland Northumberland County customers Northumberland County Limited’s Council has the potential Council has committed to to adversely impact on transferring all Homes for the morale of staff. This Northumberland Limited’s may put pressure on the staff to the Council under remaining staff involved in TUPE terms to maintain supporting the business continuity of service prior to transfer. provision. The This is a new risk Unable to shape A Tenant Steering Group HCA’s regulatory framework for social identified in 2014/15. services in line with was established, supported housing requires by an Independent Tenant customers’ providers to give tenants requirements Advisor (ITA), to represent a wide range of Loss of customer the tenant voice in relation opportunities to influence confidence in Homes to the Northumberland and be involved in the for Northumberland County Council review of formulation of Limited. housing management. priorities and The Steering Group, strategies and the together with a range of delivery of housing other tenants who have services. expressed a wish to become involved, will be guided to re-establish the During 2014/15, Homes engagement framework – for Northumberland including the development Limited suspended some of a new Forum that will key aspects of the have it’s membership involvement framework populated through a vote including a Forum of by all tenants. The Forum engaged tenants, Area will act as the hub for Boards in Blyth and tenant engagement Alnwick and some service activities. panels. These were A roadshow was conducted suspended with a view to in 2014/15 to establish rebuilding a more requirements in tenants’ empowered base of relation to service improved tenants. standards. These are However, this is still a currently being worked up work in progress. into a new service offer document. Events have been held with tenants in Alnwick and Blyth to showcase the framework of engagements that management are working towards. Report Directors’ Directors
Strategic Report (continued) Risks and Uncertainties (continued) Risk Impact Assessment of change in risk from 2013/14 Mitigation of risk The uncertainty associated with the transfer of housing management to Northumberland County Council has the potential to adversely impact on the morale of staff. This may put pressure on the remaining staff involved in supporting the business prior to transfer. Delivery of core services decline Detriment to Homes for Northumberland Limited’s customers This is a new risk identified in 2014/15. Establish open communications with staff to maintain morale through the transition. Northumberland County Council has committed to transferring all Homes for Northumberland Limited’s staff to the Council under TUPE terms to maintain continuity of service provision. The HCA’s regulatory framework for social housing requires providers to give tenants a wide range of opportunities to influence and be involved in the formulation of priorities and strategies and the delivery of housing services. During 2014/15, Homes for Northumberland Limited suspended some key aspects of the involvement framework including a Forum of engaged tenants, Area Boards in Blyth and Alnwick and some service panels. These were suspended with a view to rebuilding a more empowered base of improved tenants. However, this is still a work in progress. Unable to shape services in line with customers’ requirements Loss of customer confidence in Homes for Northumberland Limited. This is a new risk identified in 2014/15. A Tenant Steering Group was established, supported by an Independent Tenant Advisor (ITA), to represent the tenant voice in relation to the Northumberland County Council review of housing management. The Steering Group, together with a range of other tenants who have expressed a wish to become involved, will be guided to re-establish the engagement framework – including the development of a new Forum that will have it’s membership populated through a vote by all tenants. The Forum will act as the hub for tenant engagement activities. A roadshow was conducted in 2014/15 to establish tenants’ requirements in relation to service standards. These are currently being worked up into a new service offer document. Events have been held with tenants in Alnwick and Blyth to showcase the framework of engagements that management are working towards. Directors’ Report Directors
HfN-Financial-Statements-2014-15-Final.docx