Briefings
Housing demand and supply: are we building enough homes?
Network briefing by Roger Jarman
Regeneration and housing: ways forward in difficult times
Network briefing by Charlie Hughes
Service delivery in the new era: what next for ALMOs and local authority companies?
Network briefing by Roger Jarman
Regulation under the new regime for England: an HQN survey
Network briefing by Janis Bright and Alistair McIntosh
All change! An evaluation of the new frameworks for regulating social housing in England and Scotland
Network briefing by Roger Jarman
Council self-financing and stock transfer: the housing association perspective
Network briefing by Robin Tebbutt
Self-financing for councils: update on stock issues
Network briefing by Robin Tebbutt
Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England
Network briefing by Janis Bright
The last lap: latest announcements around Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reform
Complimentary hf:expert briefing by Robin Tebbutt
Are balances the answer to councils' cash shortages?
Network briefing by Robin Tebbutt
Reviewing expenditure in a climate of austerity - the questions you need to ask before making significant budget decisions
Network briefing by Robin Tebbutt and Kate Murray
Spending Review 2010 - what it means for housing
Network briefing by Alistair McIntosh, Kate Murray and Steve Wood
New government - new rules: the hitchhiker's guide to the coalition's housing policies
This briefing by Alistair McIntosh explains exactly where the coalition is coming from on all the major issues. Don't get caught off guard - read it
An offer you can't refuse? Further analysis
hf:expert briefing by Robin Tebbutt, HQN's Executive Director (Finance)
hf:expert briefing on self financing HRA Prospectus
An offer you can't refuse? hf:expert briefing by Robin Tebbutt, HQN's Executive Director (Finance)
News
Financial planning remains vital as market volatility
The social housing sector remains financially strong and continues to access the funding it requires despite continued volatility, according to the latest Quarterly Survey (2012/13 Quarter 2) published by the Homes and Communities Agency today. However providers will need to maintain a focus on robust financial planning and management if they are to continue meeting the regulator’s standard
Social housing sector demonstrates understanding of key financial risk in current economic climate
Each quarter the Regulator undertakes a survey of housing providers to establish the levels of exposure to the risks faced by the sector. The report (Quarter 4 survey report) covers the period of January to March 2012 and is based on a survey of all Private Registered Providers owning and/or managing more than 1,000 homes
Councils can deliver services more effectively with a closer focus on costs
n Accounts Commission report published today calls for more focus on actively applying cost information to plan services, scrutinise performance and demonstrate value for money
Councils can deliver services more effectively with a closer focus on costs
n Accounts Commission report published today calls for more focus on actively applying cost information to plan services, scrutinise performance and demonstrate value for money
Grant Shapps: Tackling record deficit has helped keep repossessions down
The Government's commitment to tackling the record deficit is keeping interest rates at a record low and a secure roof over the heads of millions of hard-working homeowners, Housing Minister Grant Shapps said
First central government mutual launched
MyCSP Ltd, the first ‘John Lewis style’ business created from a central government service was launched today
Scottish Housing Regulator publishes its analysis of RSL finances
The Scottish Housing Regulator today published “Weathering the Storm?” its analysis of the finances of Scottish Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). It concludes that RSLs are facing significant but manageable financial stresses
Over 150 councils already pledging to freeze or cut council tax
Last year's freeze saved households an estimated £72 on a Band D bill
Northern Ireland Housing Executive rent increases
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland announced that the increase in Housing Executive rents will equate to around £3.64 a week
Welsh Government consultation: options to replace the social fund community care grants and crisis loans for living expenses
Comments sought by 30 March 2012
HCA announces Traveller pitch funding allocations to 2015
33 housing associations, local authorities and other providers are set to deliver around 600 new Traveller pitches
Scottish Government: council tax freeze continues
A household in the average council tax band will have saved over £500 by the end of 2012-2013 as a result of the council tax freeze since 2007-2008
DCLG consultation response: localising support for council tax in England
Outlines the plans for enabling local authorities to introduce localised schemes in England from 2013-14
TSA consultation: the proposed revised accounting direction for social housing in England from April 2012
Comments sought by 6 March 2012
Quarterly revenue outturn for local authorities in England: Quarter 2 2011-12
Total net current expenditure for quarter 2 was estimated to be £28.9bn. Forecast for 2011-12 is £119.1bn – an increase of 0.8% on the initial reported budget of £118.06bn
New powers for public to stop council tax rises this year
'Local tax lock' allows people a vote to stop council tax going up if their local authority refuses to freeze bills
Limit on the management element of the LSE service charge for 2012-13
From 1 April 2012, the basic limit will be £382. The limit enhanced for VAT, where applicable, will be £437
Local authority borrowing and investments 2010-11
Total gross borrowing increased from £58.1 billion at the end of 2005-06 to £70.6 billion at the end of 2010-11, an increase of 21% over 5 years and 4% over the last year
Affordable rent model: commons library standard note
An overview of the government’s affordable rent model and summary of key associated issues
£71 million to end the legacy of England's ghost streets
New fund to help tackle the 'ghost streets' left by the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder programme – view the project allocations here
DCLG consultation: the Housing Revenue Account self-financing determinations
Comments sought by 6 January 2012
Tough times – Councils’ responses to a challenging financial climate
Audit Commission analysis
Government plans to reform PFI model
The Treasury will be launching a call for evidence on 1 December 2011 to inform a review
Plans for a second year's council tax freeze set out
Councils that freeze or reduce their council tax next year will get a one off grant equivalent to raising their council tax by 2.5%
Government sets out its offer on public service pensions
Anyone within ten years of their pension age on 1 April 2012 will be protected from changes
Affordable Homes Programme – 50 agreements have now been completed
This brings the total value of contracts signed to date to over £700m
Local authority capital expenditure and receipts, England: 2010-11 final outturn
Capital expenditure has risen by nearly 42% in the last four years, nearly 28% in real terms and capital receipts were unchanged in 2010-11, at £1.5 billion, from 2009-10
More tough choices ahead for Welsh public sector
Welsh Government Picture of Public Services 2011 report
Local Government Pension Scheme funds for England 2010-11
Income from employees' contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme in 2010-11 was £2.0 billion, a small decrease on 2009-10
Consultation: changes to local government capital finance system
Responses sought by 22 November 2011
Statement on self-financing for council housing
Joint statement by minister for Housing and Local Government and chair of the Environment and Housing Programme Board for the local government group on self-financing
Local Government Pension Scheme: consultation on proposed increases to employee contribution rates and changes to scheme accrual rates
Submit intent to respond by 28 October, costed options by 25 November and final responses sought by 6 January 2012
Welsh Government’s spending plans for the next three years
Finance Minister announces a budget for growth and jobs
Council tax freeze
Extra £805 million to help freeze council tax bills for hardworking families
Care Quality Commission consultation: regulatory fees scheme consultation
Comments sought by 28 December 2011
Quarterly revenue outturn for local authorities in England: quarter 1 2011-12
Outturn data for LAs in England and comparison to revenue account data for the same financial year
Local authority housing income and expenditure in Scotland: 1997-98 to 2011-12
Key trends in local authority housing income and expenditure in Scotland
Councils submit pension reform proposal to Secretary of State
Proposals on how the required 3.2% savings on LGPS can be achieved
Communities in the driving seat: a study of participatory budgeting in England
Findings on the costs of participatory budgeting processes; what works in the operation of participatory processes and the results/outcomes achieved by the process
Reduction in the Public Works Loan Board interest rate for borrowing for self-financing
The interest rate offered to LAs by the PWLB will be temporarily reduced from January 2012, allowing councils to reinvest millions in housing
Growth boost as HCA launches new Economic Assets Programme
The process to transfer the £300m RDA land and property assets to the HCA completed today, signalling the launch of the HCA’s newest delivery programme
Pensions alert – latest news...
Where now for social housing pension schemes? With an impressive array of highly respected speakers, our pensions summit focuses exclusively on the social housing sector. Click above to view further details or below to see recently reported articles
Social Impact Bonds: big society innovation
A potential new way to fund intensive help for families blighted by anti-social behaviour, crime, addiction and poor education
Changes to Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service will be brought under the leadership of a single chief operating officer
Local authority capital expenditure and receipts, England: 2010-11 2nd provisional outturn
Capital expenditure by local authorities in England rose to £23.1 billion in 2010-11, a year-on-year increase of 8%
Audit Scotland report: Scotland’s public finances – addressing the challenges
Public sector bodies need to have clear priorities, and plan their budgets and workforces to deliver them
TSA reminder: annual accounts
If you haven't already submitted annual accounts for the year ending 31 March 2011, they're due by 30 September 2011
Capital Assets Pathfinders: first public property map - councils could save billions
A 'demo' map locates over 180,000 assets owned by almost 600 public sector bodies, including 87 councils
The Social Fund: a review of selected literature
Scottish Government report examines what the fund consists of, how it operates and who benefits from it. Also proposes alternative models if it were to be devolved to Scotland
Self-financing: detailed information to achieve successful transition to self-financing
Full HQN member briefing to follow soon
HCA announces successful bidders for £1.8bn affordable homes funding
View further details on the programme and the bidders
Scottish Housing Regulator: online annual accounts 2010/11
The online system for submission of selected data extracts from RSLs annual accounts for 2010/11 is now available and will close on Friday 30 September 2011. RSLs should submit data using the Accounts Consolidation System
Welsh Government: RSL 30-year financial forecasts 2011
Submissions by 31 July 2011 – download the guidance and templates
Commission on funding of care and support
Dilnot recommends consistent threshold for social care provision between individual councils
Scottish Housing Regulator: Loan Portfolio Return 2011
The 2011 Loan Portfolio system is now available and will close at the end of September 2011
Scottish Housing Regulator- Corporate Plan for 2011/12
Download the third and final corporate plan, setting out its purpose as a regulator and its objectives for this year
Scottish Housing Regulator Five Year Financial Projections 2011
The 2011 Five Year Financial Projection (FYFP) system is now available and will close at the end of September 2011
HCA exceeds its end-of-year homes targets by 65%
57,605 housing starts, 49,361 for affordable homes, 35,690 for social rent
£535,000 residential training programme announced by Grant Shapps
Plans to give tenants greater support to hold their landlords to account
HCA development and land disposal strategy – land released for 3,000 homes
Approach to accelerating land disposal – plus list of accelerated sites allowing 3,000 extra homes to start on site over the next four years
Enterprise Zones: application form and guidance May 2011
Applications due by 30 June 2011
