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NHF publishes final consultation on new code of governance
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has published a draft version of its updated sector code of governance, which includes a new requirement for boards to be accountable to residents.
Housing associations and other stakeholders are being asked to provide final comments on the document, which the trade body said is a complete rewrite of the existing code issued in 2015.
Besides the new requirements on accountability, it places greater emphasis on the need for equality, diversity and inclusion in governance, as well as sustainability and organisation culture.
The proposed code demands that those adopting it – expected to be the majority of housing associations – place residents’ needs “at the heart of strategic decision-making” with “robust oversight” of safety measures.
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Boards must also “exert a firm grip of risk, including thoroughly testing the impact of potential risk scenarios on the organisation’s future plans”.
Housing consultancy Campbell Tickell was commissioned to draft the code in collaboration with the NHF and its advisory group of governance experts.
It has been developed in light of the Social Housing Green Paper, published in August 2018 as part of the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire.
A new UK corporate code of governance published in 2018 has also been taken into account, the NHF said.
Catherine Ryder, director of policy and research at the NHF, said: “This draft has been developed in partnership with an external agency and an advisory group of housing associations and residents.
“We believe it sets out out clear requirements for housing associations that reflect what residents, stakeholders and the sector itself expect from well governed organisations.
“It reflects major developments in the sector since our previous code was written in 2015 which includes addressing equality, diversity and inclusion within the sector, accountability to residents as well as changes in the sector risk landscape.
“Since January we have been consulting on the new code, and we are now seeking input on this draft from all our members, and others with experience or knowledge on governance in housing.”
Views can be submitted until 6 September, and the NHF intends to publish the final version of the new code in November 2020.
This final consultation represents the last of a three-stage review process, including an initial open consultation on the code’s underpinning principles and the drafting phase.
Update: at 15.15pm 05/08/20 a comment from Catherine Ryder was added to the story.
