In this week's blog, I refer to: Service Charges; Universal Credit; Inside Housing; Housing Associations; Brexit; Homes England; Moody's; Optivo; Cumberland & Westmorland Herald; the Conservative Party; Winston Churchill; Margaret Thatcher; the European Union; the European Movement; Cumbria County Council; Appleby Town Council; Rory Stewart MP; Heritage Lottery Fund; Training & Seminars.
"Many thanks for the presentation today which was extremely useful."
Our 2019 series of seminars starts on 12th February 2019 in London with a session of 'All You Want to Know about Service Charges in Social Housing'. This seminar is gives an introduction and overview to this important subject and is fully up to date with all developments. Service charges are an integral part of landlords' work in financing value for money services and sustaining customer satisfaction. They have always been relatively complex but with increased financial challenges and legal and financial complexity there is an increased need to understand how service charging works.
For more information about the seminar in London, or to make a booking, please click here.
The week before last I was in the southeast of England to present in-house training on Universal Credit, Rent Collection and the Management of Arrears at a local authority. Attendees said that the information provided was relevant and the quality of presentation was good. The course was described as useful, thought-provoking, interesting, practical and thorough.
For further information about in-house training in managing rent arrears, please click here.
"Housing Associations are putting in place contingency plans to protect the future of their organisations if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal… Development plans could take a hit.
Credit agency Moody's is predicting that margins would be 'squeezed' – especially in London and the southeast - because of increased inflation and lower house values.
It is reported that some associations have held back more liquidity than their financial stress tests have suggested is necessary because of uncertainty and that Optivo Housing Association could see its ongoing development pipeline reduced by up to 25%.
My briefing paper on the implications for housing of Britain leaving the European Union can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here.
I had a letter published in the 'Cumberland & Westmorland Herald' last week that considered the policy of the Conservative Party on Britain's membership of the European Union since the days of Churchill. I conclude that it is surprising that a Conservative government is now taking Britain out of the European Union as the party's traditional position has been to support Britain's membership. It was published under the heading: 'Churchill and Thatcher not welcome in today's Tory Party'.
I have also written a blog for the European Movement on European values that explains why I have always supported Britain's membership of the European Union.
My blog can be viewed or downloaded on their website by clicking here.
"All Councils are facing difficult financial times given reductions in funding, increasing demand and rising costs… This includes greater pressure for social care services from our growing elderly population and increased costs to look after the number of children now in our care.
I support the Local Government Association's peer review programme by preparing financial diagnostic reports for their peer review teams prior to them visiting a local authority. This work gives me a good overview of local authority finance and I can confirm that Cumbria County Council's position is typical.
For more information about how I can assist local authorities and my work with the Local Government Association, please click here.
However, the Town Council is continuing with its scheme, with the 'Cumberland & Westmorland Herald' reporting that the estimated costs have increased from £500,000 to £800,000. They are hoping for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
To view or download a copy of my response to the Town Council's consultation, please click here.