New strategic opportunities – Who is in the lead?

1. New strategic opportunities –Who is in the lead? Maureen Corcoran Head of Housing London 8 March 2006

2. Session will cover • London – a changing housing landscape • AC inspection – what it shows • The LA role – a wider strategic perspective • The future

4. Tenure by Borough

5. London – major challenges • MORI survey – housing costs in London = top concern (unique) • Over half country’s overcrowded households and temporary accommodation is in London • Most diverse city in UK – world city • Extremes of wealth and deprivation • Properties and environment • Neighbourhoods - crime, fear of crime and anti social behaviour • Housing impacts on people’s lives and life chances

7. Audit Commission – the inspection journey so far…. • - AC started inspecting LA housing services 2000 – Best value inspections introduced 2002 – ALMO inspections started 2002 – CPA introduced 2003 – Housing Association inspections transferred to AC 2003 – Supporting people inspections started 2004 – Single housing inspection methodology 2005 – CPA ‘a harder test’ introduced

8. Audit Commission – inspection where we are now… CPA 2005 - corporate assessments Community Leadership role • Sustainable communities, including transport • Safer & stronger communities • Healthier communities • Older people • Children and young people Local Area Agreements (LAAs)

9. New CPA framework for single tier and county councils • Use of Resources • Financial reporting • Financial management • Financial standing • Internal control • Value for money • Corporate Assessment • Ambition • Prioritisation • Capacity • Performance Management • Achievement • Sustainable communities, • including transport • Safer & stronger communities • Healthier communities • Older people • Children and young people CPA Category 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 0 Stars Children & young people Social care (adults) Housing Environment Culture Benefits Fire Colour coding key for annual elements: Notes: Direction of travel scored judgements will be published annually when CPA categories are updated Fire assessment for all relevant authorities from 2006 Level 1 Level 2

10. Audit Commission – we inspect across the housing sector LAs • housing services (strategic and landlord services) • through CPA – corporate assessments cover sustainable communities and safer and stronger communities HAs • landlord services • Inspection informs Housing Corporation regulation ALMOs • need to achieve 2* to access funding • Indicative inspections and re inspections Supporting people • Joint inspections with CSCI and HMI

11. Local authorities – strategic and enabling role Current KLOE being revised – out for consultation • Access and customer care • Diversity • Understanding the housing market • Quality of strategies and approach to meeting needs • Making best use of existing housing • Enabling the provision of more housing to meet needs • Value for money

12. New opportunities - Strategic role • Understanding local housing needs and markets • Setting the strategy – locally and regionally • LAAs – ensuring/leading effective partnerships that deliver your aims • Commissioning local provision • Holding service deliverers to account

13. The current picture The affordable housing delivery chain…. …is complex

15. Audit Commission – looking forward…. • Government white paper summer 2006 • Local Services inspectorate • CPA post 2008 – looking at how a range of organisations contribute to their area • Regional…sub-regional…borough… neighbourhood

16. . . . over to you • Thank-you for listening • Comments and questions Housing Inspectorate

17. Contact Details Maureen Corcoran Head of Housing Inspector (London) • m-corcoran@audit-commission.gov.uk • 07710 842880 • 020 7166 2762 Housing Inspectorate