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Social housing regulation to be reviewed
| Published | 14 December 2006 |
|---|
An independent review of the regulation of social housing has been announced today.
An independent review of the regulation of social housing has been announced today.
The Director of the Centre for Management under Regulation at Warwick University, Professor Martin Cave, has been asked by the Government to consider options for reform.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said the review would be the first independent assessment of the system of social housing regulation for thirty-two years.
"This review is a timely opportunity to look at how the regulatory system should be reformed to better support tenants, reduce burdens on social housing providers and to reflect current and future Government priorities."
"The legislative framework for the regulatory system for the social housing sector has remained in many respects unaltered since it was introduced in 1974, while the sector and wider policy environment has undergone significant change."
"Martin Cave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about regulation and coming from outside the social housing sector offers a fresh perspective to the issue."
Professor Cave said:
"It will be a wide-ranging review of regulation of social housing that will put the needs of tenants at the heart of the regulatory process. And importantly the outcome of the review will centre on the evidence from all who have an interest in this sector. "
The Chairman of the Housing Corporation, Peter Dixon said:
"The Housing Corporation welcomes this announcement. The time is right for a fundamental look at the way the regulatory system for social housing works within a modern mixed economy of providers."
The review team has now issued a call for evidence on the regulatory framework which will be available on the Communities and Local Government website later today. Respondents are asked to provide evidence by 16 February 2007. A number of stakeholder events are to be held and invitees will be contacted shortly.
Note for editors
1. Martin Cave is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Management under Regulation at Warwick Business School with significant experience in utility regulation. He has been an adviser to Ofcom since 2003 and was appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to conduct a review of major spectrum holdings. He was also a Non-Executive Advisory Director of OFWAT from 2002 -2006.
2. On 24 July Ruth Kelly announced that the remit of the Housing and Regeneration Review was being extended to include further work on the modernisation of affordable housing regulation. She asked officials to undertake a distinct stream of work on modernising the regulation of affordable housing.
3. Terms of reference for the review will also be available on the website at: www.communities.gov.uk/cavereview
4. Registered social landlords (RSLs - more commonly known as housing associations) have been regulated by the Housing Corporation since 1964. The Housing Corporation introduced 'formal' inspection in April 2002 and since April 2003 inspection has been carried out by the Audit Commission.
5. Enquiries about the review should be addressed to: Emma Preece or Elizabeth Knapp, Affordable Housing Division, Zone 2/E1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU Tel: 020 7944 8092/ 3635
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