Talks progressed between Oriel Housing Group, Drum Housing Association, and Parkside Housing Group over forming a new group structure. The three organisations have worked together as part of the Wayfarer development consortium. The new group would own and manage 14,600 homes across the south of England. The respective Boards have approved the plan and the structure will be finalised by the end of the year.
The Housing Corporation placed Severnside Housing under supervision following concerns over its management and governance. The Association has been, until recently, without a permanent Chief Executive for eight months. Three statutory appointments were made to the Board:
Severnside had been in merger talks with South Shropshire Housing Association, but this is now in abeyance until the Association's management issues have been addressed.
Tung Sing Housing Association, which has been under Housing Corporation supervision since January 2005 following a crisis in its governance, was set to merge with Arena Housing Group.
In the latter part of 2004, the Tung Sing board passed a vote of no confidence in its former Chief Executive Janis Wong. This was followed by the resignation of six Board members, following disagreement over whether the Association should broaden its scope or continue to concentrate on providing housing for the Chinese community.
The negotiations over the merger should be completed by July 2006.
The Hyde Group is setting up a subsidiary, In Touch, to run its Supporting People, sheltered housing, extra care, and other supported housing activities. Minster General Housing Association, which recently joined the Hyde Group, will retain its supported housing functions. In Touch is due to be launched in April.
The Housing Corporation announced it has made three statutory appointments to the Board of ARHAG Housing Association Limited, which manages around 700 homes in London:
The Corporation placed ARHAG under supervision (December 2005) because of concerns about its governance, management, and service delivery.
The Corporation subsequently issued an order suspending the Chief Executive and Finance Manager of ARHAG Housing Association, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 23(2)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996.
The suspensions follow consideration by the Corporation's Board of an interim report by the inquirers appointed to conduct a statutory inquiry into a number of aspects of the business of the Association. The Corporation's Board decided that the interim report demonstrated that there had been mismanagement and misconduct in the affairs of the Association.
The inquiry has not yet been concluded. The Corporation's Board stressed that the suspensions are temporary, and that it will not make any final decisions on this matter until it has received the final report of the inquirers. Pending the receipt and consideration of the final inquiry report, the Housing Corporation has also issued a direction appointing Owen Ingram to perform the functions of the Association's Chief Executive.
Shaftesbury Housing Group announced it was planning to sell off its care and supported housing subsidiary to Sanctuary Housing Group. This would involve Sanctuary HG in the purchase of 37 care homes and the transfer to it of almost 1,500 staff working for Ashley Homes, a subsidiary of Shaftesbury HG.
Shaftesbury HG has been under Housing Corporation supervision since October 2003.
Tor Homes pulled out of merger discussions with parent William Sutton Housing Group and Affinity Group. The news came a few days before the Board of William Sutton Housing was due to formally approve the merger.
The Housing Corporation announced it has removed Brunel & Family Housing Association from supervision following the Association recently joining the Yorkshire Housing Group.
Brunel owns and manages around 2,700 properties - mainly in the City of Bradford. It was placed under supervision in September 2004 because of concerns about its governance and management. This followed an adverse inspection report by the Audit Commission. The Corporation made three statutory appointments to the Board to provide additional skills and experience to address these concerns.
The Housing Corporation announced that, following a series of improvements, it has removed Chester & District Housing Trust from supervision.
The Corporation placed Chester & District, which owns and manages around 6,200 homes in Chester and surrounding areas, under supervision in February 2004 because of concerns about its governance and overall financial position. The Corporation made three appointments to the Board of the Company.