Posted 06.06.13
Carbon Monoxide: Ignorance Can Be Fatal Conference
Kegworth, Derbyshire
The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) (11th July 2013)
This free one-day conference is being organised by IGEM in partnership with Wales and the West Utilities and the Carbon Monoxide All Fuels Action Forum.
Its core aim is to highlight the risks of unnecessary deaths, injuries and suffering caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The day will certainly attract interest from social housing providers and private sector landlords, as well as others concerned with safety in the home.
The format of the conference will consist of keynote speakers presenting the latest developments to raise awareness, improve detection and develop regulation to further eradicate this silent killer.
The presentations will be followed by interactive sessions - led by Baroness Finlay, Barry Sheerman MP and David Kidney, Chair of Carbon Monoxide All Forum Fuels Forum. Free places on the conference can be booked by contacting Julie Adcock at julie@igem.org.uk or by telephoning 01509 678161.
Posted 03.06.13
Delivering Housing Allocations and Flexible Tenancies Conference
Capita Conferences (15th May 2013)
Welfare Reform and the Localism Act - the big topics of conversation within the housing sector. The question on everyone's mind is how do we manage the changes?
Key speakers from across the sector came together at Capita Conferences' Delivering Housing Allocations and Flexible Tenancies event on the 15th May, to help delegates with their questions and issues on delivering effective housing allocations in light of the new systems.
Areas of focus for the day were managing welfare reform changes, carrying out tenancy review processes effectively, adapting stock to accommodate affordable rent and fixed term tenancies and increasing the potential for mobility to combat issues of under occupancy and overcrowding.
Following on from the National Housing Federation's keynote address, Vivien Knibbs, Executive Director, Orbit Living from the Orbit Group stated that:
"The DWP says over one third of Housing Benefit claimants are affected by the under occupancy act, half of these are families with children and two thirds are disabled.
"The Orbit Group are focusing on managing the change both in the short and long term, by working with affected tenants and advising them and by working closely with local authorities."
Within Orbit, they ran a survey to see the willingness of their customers to move home in light of the changes. On average, 13% said they were willing to move, but Ms. Knibbs highlighted the fact that, although some tenants were willing to move, there were still barriers - for example a long waiting list with the local council that meant they could not.
Patrick Odling-Smee, Service Director of Housing Needs and Strategy from Islington Council, was joined by Mike Ward, Director of Housing Growth and Mobility from Circle, to deliver his presentation on making the best use of housing stock and supporting greater mobility.
A key message from this session was - 'welfare reform is a new driver for people to move, but it is not matched by adequate housing supply.'
