Westminster Social Policy Forum

This conference focuses on priorities for social housing policy in England, including:

• Supply of new homes;
• The changing regulatory landscape;
• Improving community and tenant engagement; and
• Raising the quality of homes.

The agenda and keynote speakers

• Policy priorities in the context of the expected Social Housing Green Paper - with Helen Kelly, Lead, Social Housing Green Paper, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government;
• The regulatory landscape and working effectively with the Hackitt Review - with Jim Bennett, Assistant Director, Regulatory Strategy, Regulator of Social Housing; and
• Planning, infrastructure delivery and meeting local needs, following the NAO planning for new homes report - with Aileen Murphie, Director, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government & Local Government Value for Money, National Audit Office.

Further sessions and case studies

Contributions and their expected focus include:

• Responding to the Green Paper - empowering and engaging with residents, reviewing regulation and improving quality of homes with a panel including Simon Gordon, Policy Adviser, Residential Landlords Association; Councillor Leo Pollak, Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration, Great Estates and New Council Homes, Southwark Council; Nick Reynolds, Chair, National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations and Victor da Cunha, Chief Executive, Curo;
• Developing strategic partnerships to increase the supply of affordable homes - with Paul Hackett, Chief Executive, Optivo; 
• Building for our future: Shelter’s vision for a new generation of social housing - with Chris Wood, Head of Policy, Shelter;
• Improving access to social housing: affordability, eligibility and challenges for supply with a panel including Louise Robinson, Partner, Social Infrastructure, Arcadis; Councillor Linda Haysey, Leader, East Herts District Council and Local Authority Representative, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Louise Howells, Partner, Blake Morgan.

Next steps for the Green Paper proposals

Attendees will discuss key proposed areas of reform in the social housing green paper, with the Government considering its response to consultation.

Areas for discussion include:

• Mandatory ‘resident engagement strategies’ and efforts to address stigma;
• The consumer redress system;
• Regulation and accountability of housing associations and councils; and
• Plans to expand pathways to home ownership via social housing.

Challenges for delivery of affordable housing - meeting demand, new ‘Housing Deals’ and challenges for planning

Delegates will also consider next steps for government policy in order to support the construction of new homes for social rent and shared ownership.

It takes place in the context of:

• The announcement of strategic partnerships between Homes England and housing associations to increase the supply of affordable homes;
• The first housing delivery test results, which show that many councils have under-delivered;
• Removal of the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap;
• The Government’s consultation on reforming rules on using receipts from Right to Buy homes to build more housing; and
• Announced increased borrowing for councils to build new homes.

Planning issues

The agenda looks at how the planning system can assist councils to deliver government targets to increase delivery and supply, including priorities for infrastructure and reviewing developer contributions following recommendations in the NAO’s Planning for New Homes report.

The future of regulation in the social housing sector - quality, complaints and accountability

Further sessions consider options for the future regulatory framework for the sector.

Areas for discussion include:

• The scope, role and enforcement powers of regulators;  
• The Green Paper’s call for reforms to the complaints handling for social tenants;
• The proposed review of the ‘Decent Homes Standard’;
• What more housing associations and local authorities can do to further support and empower communities; and
• The future of accountability for housing associations and local authorities and the affordability of social rent.

It takes place in the context of:

• The Review of social housing regulation call for evidence launched alongside the green paper;
• The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety; and
• Launch of the Social Sector Engagement Best Practice Group, which aims to develop best practice in improving engagement between residents and landlords on fire and building safety issues.

The conference focuses on next steps for infrastructure in Liverpool and will be an opportunity to discuss the development of the first Spatial Development Strategy for the City Region - expected to be finalised and published within the next two years - which will set out a vision for housing, infrastructure and climate resilience across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton & the Wirral.

Key stakeholders and policymakers will discuss what the priorities should be for the Spatial Development Strategy in order to develop Liverpool’s infrastructure so that it can meet housing demand, address climate change and support regional economic growth.

They will also discuss what is needed from national infrastructure policy to support the region, with the Government’s Infrastructure Strategy due to be released later this year, including projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Sessions will assess the progress of ongoing rail infrastructure projects, including Network Rail’s multi-billion pound Great North Rail programme of improvements, upgrades to the Halton Curve linking Liverpool with Cheshire and North Wales, and progress on HS2, as the Government announces a one-year delay on the Phase 2b Hybrid-Bill and following concerns as to whether a link to Liverpool will be developed.

The future of MerseyRail will also be discussed including potential new stations and the prospect of light rail being part of the Wirral Waters major regeneration project.

There will also be an update on road improvement and upgrade projects, as the NIC partners with Liverpool to improve local transport and reduce congestion on the city’s roads - cited by the National Infrastructure Commission as the second most congested outside London.

Delegates will discuss how new investment should be targeted, with the city region due to receive £172.5m from the Transforming Cities Fund and an extra £1.1bn announced in the Budget to be allocated to Mayoral Authorities on a per capita basis - and with the Mayor outlining a £500m Strategic Investment Fund to encourage inclusive growth and support infrastructure, skills, culture and housing.

Further sessions discuss early progress on the City Region’s move towards a low-carbon economy, following the announcement of a zero-carbon target by 2040 and the trial of hydrogen buses.

As the Mayor re-emphasises his plans to take forward Mersey tidal power, attendees will also discuss the role that the River Mersey can play in a low-carbon future, as well as the potential to decarbonise gas networks and deliver cleaner energy.

As Liverpool City Council grants planning permission for a £31.3m ferry terminal funded by the Isle of Man Government and agrees to fund a £7.6m link road, the agenda also looks at the future of Liverpool as a nationally important global trade hub, and priorities for the Port of Liverpool and multi-modal freight transportation. They will also discuss the role of the airport in providing Liverpool with an international gateway, as well as road and rail links to the airport.

The questions of how infrastructure can be utilised to support local economic growth underpins the seminar - with discussion expected on how stakeholders across housing, universities, businesses and the wider region can work effectively together to promote innovation.

Sessions will also consider housing priorities including housebuilding targets and best new sites following the Mayor’s Brownfield First approach and discussions planned with Homes England on establishing new sites for housing.

This conference will be an opportunity to discuss the next steps for tackling homelessness in England and the key issues for carrying through the Government’s homelessness policy.

Delegates will discuss the ongoing implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act including the challenges facing local and public authorities in meeting their statutory duties, and the way forward for partnership working.

They will also assess the impact and early indicators from the Housing First pilot schemes rolling out in Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands.

Further sessions look at the Rough Sleeping Strategy, along with the implications for local authorities and other stakeholders - with councils due to publish revised homelessness and rough sleeping strategies by winter 2019 as part of the delivery plan.

We also expect discussion on priorities for the Rough Sleeping Initiative Fund with the bidding round for the further £11m launched in December, and opportunities arising from the launch of the Capital Letters Programme which 11 London Boroughs have signed up for with the aim of encouraging councils to share resources and collaborate, including in the area of securing accommodation for homeless people.

The agenda also includes a session on the approach being taken in Scotland to ending homelessness - looking at what can be learnt from the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, which includes a focus on prevention, joining up resources, reducing response times and fostering a person-centred approach.

This timely seminar will discuss the future for building regulations in England, and provide an opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to assess the most effective ways forward for improving the safety and standards of buildings.

Delegates will discuss the Government’s recently published implementation plan which aims to support the development of a more effective regulatory and accountability framework as called for by the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt.

The report also commits to taking forward all the recommendations of the review, and delegates will discuss priorities and challenges for implementation and implications for local authorities, residents, the construction industry and other key stakeholders.

The seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss the work of the Industry Safety Steering Group and updates from the Government’s Building Safety Programme, as well as what more should be done to give residents a greater say, put in place an effective testing and inspection regime, and create a clearer record of information for high-rise residential buildings.

We also expect discussion on the ban on combustible materials announced by the Government, including its scope, or whether it should also apply to non-residential buildings including hospitals, residential homes, student accommodation and hotels and buildings under 18 metres tall as suggested by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee.

The agenda also looks at the implementation and compliance issues for building firms, as well as what will be needed to bring about the necessary changes to business culture and regulatory oversight in the building sector.

This seminar will discuss the future for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) following the Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships Review which sets out plans to reform accountability and boost performance, and the recently released National Local Growth Assurance Framework.

We expect discussion on the guidance set out in the framework for local growth funding, and its mandatory governance, accountability and transparency requirements for LEPs - with an aim to have new Local Assurance Frameworks in place by April 2019.

Sessions will consider the challenges for reviewing geographical boundaries to remove overlaps and find geographical areas which best reflect functional economic activity, as well as for improving co-operation across boundaries.

They will also discuss what more can be done to improve transparency and board diversity with the review calling for women to make up at least one third of LEP boards by 2020 and equal representation by 2023.

The seminar comes with the Government due to agree the first Local Industrial Strategies by March 2019 - and announcing the extension of Sector Deal discussions this year - with the aim of boosting productivity, employment, innovation and skills.

Following calls from Metro Mayors for devolved control over the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it will provide an opportunity to assess the future for regional funding in England, the role of LEPs in driving investment and how best to build on city and growth deals, build on local strengths and align strategies with regional and national priorities.