Welcome to my sixth Annual Report. This gives me a welcome
opportunity to reflect on what has been happening with my clients and my other
activity over the past year. Read and enjoy!
Consultancy
C&C
I’ve been proud to work with C&C (formerly Central and Cecil)
for the past 6 years and this year seen the transition of Chief Executive
moving from Caroline Tiller, who I had know beforehand, to Julia Ashley, who
had helped recruit me. My work focuses primarily on the Resident Scrutiny Panel.
They continue to have an innovative approach with regard to Supported Housing
residents including relatives and Power of Attorney being included on the
Panel. In the past year they’ve completed two Service Reviews into Care and
Activities. I also worked with C&C on Impact Assessment and Complaints
Panel training.
Genesis Housing
Association
I have continued my work with Genesis HA, again working closely with
their Customer
Scrutiny Panel. This has included working with them on their recent Service
Reviews into Neighbourhood Managers/Assistants and Voids and was pleased to see
the step change with their most recent review. I have also mentored their
Customer Involvement Manager to take on more of the roles I have played (and
I’m pleased that she has done so well).
I have also supported Genesis with the recruitment of residents to
their Customer Services Committee and their Board.
Kingston Council
I have also continued my work mentoring the Kingston
Residents Scrutiny Panel, working with them primarily on their Service
Reviews on Parking and Responsive Repairs. These reviews are detailed, thorough
and provide a sound evidence base for their recommendations.
Rooftop Housing Group
Following on from my previous review of resident involvement I have
been working with Rooftop Housing Group on new Terms of Reference for their Resident
Excellence Panel and supporting recruitment of new members through taster
sessions and interviewing. I also carried out a review of VFM in resident
involvement and how best to involve residents on-line.
Slough Council
I carried out a review of Slough Council’s approach to resident
involvement. I am currently working with the Council on their consultation the
draft Housing Revenue Account Business Plan and recruitment to a Resident
Consultative Group.
Hexagon
I carried out training for Hexagon’s Residents Forum
on Operating at the Strategic Level.
Peak Valley
I carried out a further two training sessions for Peak Performance
at Peak Valley covering Scrutiny, Housing Policy, Mystery
Shopping, Succession Policy, Measuring Impact and Communication.
Waltham Forest HA
I carried out a governance
training session for Board members.
Estuary Housing
I spoke at the Annual Thank You
for Involved Residents at Estuary Housing.
Non-Executive Activity
Wulvern Housing
I became Chair of Wulvern Housing early this year, at a crucial time during the discussions about the
future of Wulvern. I am pleased that those discussions have resulted in Wulvern
agreeing to join the Guinness Partnership with profound benefits for Wulvern customers, staff and the provision
of new housing in Cheshire East. I am particularly proud of my fellow Board
Members and the staff at Wulvern for continuing to provide excellent housing
delivery at a time of great change.
I also became Chair of Healthwatch Salford, in a voluntary capacity, early
this year. I am pleased that Healthwatch Salford has good relationships with
our local Council and stakeholders, and the move to independence completed late
last year. The Devo Manc initiative is one of interest to us, and the myriad
pressures put on health and care provision locally means we have much to do
going forward!
Regulatory Compliance
I produced the third edition of Learning from Regulatory Downgrades[1] last year, with the distilled
insight from the downgrades that happen far too often in our sector. Hopefully
that insight will help avoid future problems! A shorter, more digestible, version was kindly produced by Croftons. A full
version is available from me until version 4 comes out shortly!
Communicator
I have also been interviewed by
BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London, as well as the Austrian Broadcasting
Corporation. I have written the following articles:
Awards
Family
This year has been a difficult
year for my family and this report is dedicated to my mother. We hope for a
better year for my father following his illnesses and many, many thanks to my
sister for providing much love, care and support to both my parents.
Acknowledgements
As ever when I write this report
I am surprised at the amount of activity that has taken place. None of this
could happen with the support of many others –residents, staff, councillors and
Board Members.
So special thanks for Angela for
all her support this year. Thanks to Jane, Sue Tanya, Bob, Betheline, Colin,
Chris, Pooja, Kate, Anne, Juliana, Karen, John, Rebecca, David, Jackie,
Theresa, David, Stanley, Ann, John, Sartu, Philip, Paul, Sally, Rosalind,
Carol, Julia, Jo, Helen, Joanne, Pollyanna, Laura, Cherish, Sally, Agnieszka,
Suzanne, Hilary, Patrick, Maria, Carl, Lindy, Schuyla, Martin, Clive, Susan,
Alex, Ben, James, Genie, Catriona, Jackie, Tracey, Delana, Kathryn, John,
Antoinette, Jackie, J, Bernice, Faith, Brian, Valerie, Judy, Magnus, Barbara,
Sue, David, Raewyn, Mo, Herbie, Andrea, Rita, Geof, Mary, Bruce, Karen, Aydin,
Rachel, Mylo, Sam, Sharon, Pat, Stephen, Gwenda, Barry, Leionie, Andy, Jacqui,
Karen, Kevin, Morris, Linda, Sharon, Jo, Hayley, Cheryl, Linda, Michelle,
Peter, Steve, Mark, Mandy, Gifty, John, Sasha, Nicole, Kevin, Paul, Andrea,
Susie, Liz, Janet, Helen, Roberta, Joanne, Michael, Maria, Hal, Stephen, Magic,
Roger and Wilco.
Phil Morgan
[1] This link will starts with older articles about the KLF and the
Three Wolves of resident involvement!
