Brian Rowntree Steps Down as NIHE Chair Ahead of Critical Report
2nd July 2012
It has been announced that Brian Rowntree has resigned as the Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
His resignation is linked to the anticipated publication of a critical report on the NIHE Board's handling of multi-million pound maintenance contracts.
The NIHE owns and manages around 90,000 homes. Brian Rowntree had been Chair for eight years.
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Ministerial Statement is Highly Critical of NIHE's Handling of Repairs Contracts
3rd July 2012
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is failing to deliver an adequate maintenance service to its tenants, the said today.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland told ministers in the Northern Ireland Assembly that the distribution of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's £170 million maintenance budget did not represent value for money for taxpayers.
The statement responds to a highly critical report into the way the NIHE manages its contracts. It found that work paid for had not been carried out and that standards were low.
With reference to an *example where a contractor had claimed payment for more doors than existed in a house, and where fire doors were fitted to a kitchen and living room where they were not required, Mr McCausland said:
"I am very concerned that the findings and the evidence clearly demonstrate there are considerable issues in relation to the Housing Executive's management of response maintenance contracts.
"This [*the above example] clearly indicate that tenants are not getting the services that are expected or being paid for by the tax payer."
The Minister also hinted that there may be similar problems across other areas of the organisation and said:
"I continue to have major concerns about the culture within the organisation and the level of aspiration within the Housing Executive to deliver a quality service to tenants."
A statement on the future of the NIHE as a whole is expected in the coming weeks.
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NIHE Placed Under Government Supervision
6th July 2012
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has been effectively placed under government supervision with the announcement that Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has ordered it to report to his department every two weeks under 'special accountability measures'.
The move follows the publication of a highly critical report on the NIHE's handling of its £170 million annual maintenance contracts and the resignation of its Chair, Brian Rowntree.
The report stemmed from an investigation commissioned by the Minister, following the termination of a maintenance agreement with a contractor, after allegations of poor performance.
It is understood that the Department for Social Development is currently carrying out a review of the NIHE's functions and that this, in the longer term, might lead to the transfer of the organisation's managed homes to five housing associations. If this happens, the NIHE will remain responsible for funding and strategy.
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Anne Henderson Takes Over as Acting Chair
17th July 2012
Anne Henderson, the current vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, will take over as its acting chair while the board completes the public appointment process.
She steps up to the role with immediate effect.
