The Housing Corporation published the 2005 Operating Cost Index (OCI) results for the largest housing associations in England. Published for the second year, the OCI allows the comparison of costs between associations. It also plays an important role in assessing how housing associations, and the sector as a whole, are actively engaged in the Government's efficiency agenda.
The index provides a useful tool for associations to consider how their cost base compares with other associations. The OCI sits alongside all other performance indicators and provides the opportunity to identify peer groups with similar drivers of costs and a starting point to examine comparative cost effectiveness.
The calculation of the index has changed from 2004, as a result of further investigation into key areas highlighted by associations during 2005. Although the methodology remains consistent with last year, refinements have been made to factor into the index non-lettings activities, support and care activities and asset condition.
The changes mean that the results for 2004 and 2005 are not comparable and any attempt at comparison will lead to nonsensical results. As a result, the Housing Corporation has re-calculated 2004 results based on the new model and published the results for both 2004 and 2005. This is now a fixed and stable model on which to calculate the index in future.
A copy of the results can be obtained via the Housing Corporation's performance indicator (PI) website - www.housingpis.co.uk. The results come complete with a briefing note, explaining the adopted approach and the changes introduced following consultation.
Sparkling clean cars can be seen across the region thanks to a new vehicle valeting business which received start up advice from enterprise agency, Enterprising Futures.
Angel Valets was launched a year ago, offering convenient and affordable door-to-door car valeting services to customers across the North East. Just 12 months on and the business is going from strength to strength, having established a strong customer base.
Enterprising Futures is a new business start-up and enterprise development service launched in October 2004. Sunderland Housing Group teamed up with Social Firms North East (SFNE), Mental Health Care, Sunderland Community Enterprise Network (SCEN) and Social Enterprise Sunderland (SES) to help turn a business idea into a thriving company.
Together the organisations help develop business ideas and produce business plans, and provide assistance when applying for loans, through a system of support and advice.
Angel Valets pride itself on being able to offer a vast range of car cleaning services, at competitive rates. Staff can come to your door to valet your car or take the car away to be serviced at their base in Durham Business Centre and return it after its valet. Services include, washing, vacuuming, polishing, and interior and exterior valet.
Sunderland Housing Group (SHG) is one of six housing associations selected to receive support from the Phoenix Development Fund to encourage enterprise development in disadvantaged communities.
The Housing Corporation made three statutory appointments to the Board of Three Valleys Housing, which manages around 5,500 homes in the Erewash area of Derbyshire:
The Corporation has placed Three Valleys Housing under supervision because of concerns about its governance and viability.
The Housing Corporation announced that, following a series of improvements, it has removed Tung Sing Housing Association from supervision. The Corporation placed Tung Sing, which owns and manages around 500 homes in Manchester, under supervision in January 2005 because of concerns about its governance. The Corporation used its statutory power to make four appointments to the Board of the Association. Due to the Association's progress in addressing the concerns raised by the Corporation, the statutory appointees have now stepped down.
Weaver Housing Trust was removed from Housing Corporation supervision. The stock transfer Association that acquired the housing stock of Vale Royal in 2002 was put under supervision in September 2004, partly because of concerns about an overspend on its improvement programme.
Weymouth & Portland Housing merged with Synergy Housing Group, to form a Group with some 8,000 homes.
Guinness Trust Group and Northern Counties Housing Association announced they will merge to form the third largest housing group in England. The new Group will have 51,000 homes across 150 council areas. Northern Counties will become a subsidiary of Guinness Trust, which has recently grown by 3,000 dwellings with Midsummer HA joining the structure.
Aster Group finalised a deal to manage some 1,000 homes being developed by Assettrust Housing over the next five years. The Association will provide management and maintenance services to the homes, which will be spread across south and south-west counties. Most of the homes will be developed under section 106 agreements and Assettrust will retain ownership of them.
Winchester Housing Group merged with A2 Winchester, to form a structure with 14,000 homes across the South of England.
