Over the next few years, all county and district councils across England will move from two-tier systems into 21 new unitary authorities.

This shift will demand significant time, energy and resources from already stretched councils. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every area will face unique challenges in their politics and housing issues. But it’s essential that housing is centre stage in the discussions. And there will be common matters to address and practical processes to consider that will be the same for all councils and housing services.

That’s where this practical workshop will help.

Join us to examine how reorganisation is likely to affect both your strategic and landlord roles.

Learn the lessons from those who’ve been through reorganisation before.

Network, share ideas and discuss solutions with other delegates who are in the same position as you.

Get practical advice on how to stay focused on delivering for your tenants while navigating the disruption. While reorganisation plans are debated and designed, housing services can’t be put on hold, the day job goes on. Tenants still need safe, decent homes — and the wider community still depends on core services.

This is your chance to hear expert insights and take away lessons that will help you manage change and meet your housing responsibilities head-on.

We will cover issues such as: 

• Allocations and lettings
• Homelessness and rough sleeping
• Housing development (affordable housing) and planning
• Supported housing
• Housing and asset management
• RSH inspections.

Why attend?

• Understand the likely implications for council housing services of local government reorganisation
• Find out how to mitigate risks to protect day to day services
• Learn what works to motivate staff through the change
• Consider the challenges and opportunities with other councils
• Think creatively about new ways of working
• Get together with fellow professionals going through the same process.

Essential for:

• Council Chief Executives
• Councillors
• Council housing directors
• Council senior management with responsibility for housing functions
• Directors of Finance in councils including the HRA
• ALMO CEOs, MDs and senior management
• Members of housing improvement boards
• Resident scrutiny board members
• Heads of housing
• Heads of homelessness
• Housing strategy leads and teams
• Heads of allocations
• Heads of Supported and specialist housing
• Directors of planning and development
• Governance, performance management/information and data teams.

Emma Lindley, Associate, HQN

Emma is a housing professional with more than 10 years’ experience working in a variety of roles, including frontline housing management, resident involvement, policy development and managing properties for PRS landlords.

She is happiest when exploring interesting ideas with interesting people. She currently works in strategic housing for a local authority, leading on identifying new solutions to old problems, such as homelessness, domestic abuse and fuel poverty.

Emma completed a BSc in Housing at De Montfort University in 2014. She Chairs the Chartered Institute of Housing East Midlands Regional Board and is a Lead Associate of HQN’s Strategic Network.

Tim Brown, Associate, HQN

Tim has extensive knowledge of social housing allocations. He played a major role in the 1990s in the development of what is now referred to as choice-based lettings. Subsequently he has been involved in the review and evaluation of over 30 allocations schemes in the UK. He has also contributed to government research as well as co-producing good practice guides for the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. A number of governments in Western Europe have commissioned Tim to review allocations eg France, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden.

He currently produces HQN’s allocations toolkit which is updated monthly.

Andrew Rowe, Assistant Director Housing, North Yorkshire Council

Andrew is a senior housing professional with over 30 years’ experience in a wide variety of roles. In his current role as Assistant Director for Housing for the new North Yorkshire Council he is leading on the convergence of the 7 former District Council housing services into one. This work includes bringing together 3 former landlord services into one to form a new landlord of 8500 homes as well as the convergence of the new Councils stategic, homelessness and regulatory functions.

Andrew graduated from De Montfort University in 1999 with an MSC in Housing. Prior to Local Government Reorganisation he was Head of Housing at Scarborough Borough Council and before that worked for Home Group.

10:30am Welcome and introductions

• Emma Lindley, Associate, HQN

10:40am An overview of local government reorganisation

• Tim Brown, Associate, HQN

Tim will share the latest on local government reorganisation, drawing on his work across the country and the common challenges emerging from initial submissions. He’ll offer insight into what government is really looking for — and his advice on how housing teams can secure a strong voice in the process and how to manage planning and development decisions during the transition.

11:20am The implications for councils as landlords

• Andrew Rowe, Assistant Director Housing, North Yorkshire Council

North Yorkshire Council came into being as a unitary authority in April 2023, merging the previous seven district and borough councils into a new, single entity. Andrew Rowe will share their experience on the landlord side, looking at the challenges in merging systems, data and processes as well as HRA convergence. He will discuss RSH self-referral, improvement planning and what lessons you can learn from them.

12:00pm Break

12:20pm The strategic housing implications

• Emma Lindley, Associate HQN

Emma will look at the strategic housing implications that need to be considered during the discussions and planning for reorganisation. She will look at the potential issues for allocations, homelessness services as well as supported housing provision and provide her advice and insight based on her own work in a district council as well as a strategic housing associate.

12:50pm Discussion groups

1:20pm Feedback

• Emma Lindley, Associate HQN

1:30pm Close

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.