Grenfell Tower
Ready or not?
As a new regulatory regime gets underway for social housing, Peter Hubbard and Claire Ward offer five tips to support public and private sector registered providers.
Transforming social housing: The task ahead for council teams
Now that the new social housing regulatory regime is in place, housing teams are embracing the challenge as an opportunity for positive change despite the immense pressure councils face, says Caroline Green.
Council hit by £4.6m employment tribunal payout
A council that harassed and discriminated against one of its directors will look to appeal an ‘excessive’ £4.6m award for damages by an employment tribunal.
Rowley increases pressure for high-rise crackdown
Housing minister Lee Rowley has urged more councils to tackle rogue owners failing to fix problems with high-rise properties since the Grenfell tragedy.
Weighing up the ALMO conundrum
As quick as councils decide to ditch the ALMO housing model, fans of the concept fight back. Paul Marinko takes a look at the argument.
All public servants must keep Grenfell in their minds
Grenfell Testimony Week’s clear refrain was that residents did not feel respected, says Cllr Elizabeth Campbell. The bereaved and survivors want action, she adds.
What can councils expect from stronger social housing regulation?
As councils get ready for the biggest shake-up in social housing regulation in 10 years, regulator Angela Holden gives an early insight into what to expect, ahead of the details due to published early next year.
Newham wins landmark cladding removal case
Newham LBC has become the first council in Britain to successfully prosecute a building owner for failing to remove flammable cladding.
Kensington & Chelsea launches standards drawn up with residents
Kensington and Chelsea LBC has become the first council to publish service standards co-designed with residents as part of its continuing response to the Grenfell tragedy.
Kensington and Chelsea must lead the way on safer, greener homes
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith outlines progress with creating the UK’s largest eco-neighbourhood at the Lancaster West estate – where the Grenfell tragedy took place.
Time for curiosity on compliance
The Building Safety Act was introduced partly in response to the Grenfell tragedy, and liability could apply to officers and members, says Scott Dorling. If councils are unclear about their path to compliance they need to act now to find out.
Council agrees Grenfell compensation
Kensington & Chelsea LBC is among the defendants that have agreed a £150m civil compensation settlement for victims of the Grenfell tragedy.
Qualifications likely for housing directors amid Gove push
Council housing directors are likely to be expected to gain an ‘appropriate’ qualification after Michael Gove announced new plans to ‘drive up’ social housing standards.
Pocklington concern over cladding removal pace
Fewer than half of remaining tower blocks with the most dangerous cladding have start dates for remedial works five years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, MPs heard today.
Balancing Housing Revenue Account priorities
Councils face a very difficult balancing act in relation to their Housing Revenue Accounts and ultimately many will believe that ‘something has to give’, says Steve Partridge.
'Othering' is the most troubling aspect of the tragic case of Awaab Ishak
Claire Kober says that in seeking to learn the lessons of Awaab Ishak's death, the housing sector would do well to study the Serious Case Reviews that have followed children’s service failures and draw on the parallels.
‘Multiple opportunities’ missed to prevent Grenfell fire
In written evidence to the inquiry into the June 2017 fire, Kensington & Chelsea LBC said it ‘apologises unreservedly for its failings’.
Ministers savaged as Grenfell Inquiry draws to close
Lawyers representing the bereaved, survivors and residents have used their final submissions to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to savage former ministers.
Gove urges councils to call out poor performance
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove quite rightly sung the praises of local government for the sector's efforts during the pandemic, says Heather Jameson. But eventually he cut to the chase – with a hefty carrot and stick approach to the future.
Home truths
Sir Bob Neill says it’s vital that, with the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill having been introduced, local government brings its expertise to bear in the forthcoming discussions – with three areas key to the conversation.
