The Housing Inspection Sounding Board was set up following a recommendation from the Elton Review (external link), which was published in 2006.
The Sounding Board will review and improve the design and delivery of the Audit Commission's approach to inspection across the housing sector and its interaction with the regulatory function of the Tenants Services Authority.
It will also consult with stakeholders on the design and delivery of the arrangements for inspection and with inspected bodies and other key stakeholders on proposed changes to the Audit Commission's inspection methodology.
Housing organisations will be able to work through the Sounding Board to provide feedback on Audit Commission inspection. The Board will help to identify ways of maximising the positive impact of the Commission's work, particularly in relation to service improvement, value for money and the communication and adoption of best practice.
Anyone wishing to contact the Housing Inspection Sounding Board should either do so via the representative bodies or the general email address for the Housing Inspection team (email link) at the Audit Commission.
Purpose of the Board
To provide a formal mechanism for review, consultation on, and improvement of the design and delivery of the Audit Commission's approach to inspection across the housing sector and its interaction with the regulatory function of the Tenants Services Authority.
Membership
Members of the Inspection Sounding Board will include representatives from:
- The Tenant Services Authority
- Local Authorities (four representatives -one each from a unitary, a metropolitan, and a district council and one from a London borough. Two of which should be landlords and two will have undertaken stock transfers, whether whole or partial)
- Housing Associations ( four representatives -1 each from a large national association, a LSVT association, a medium sized association which operates across a region and a specialist association)
- Arm's Length Management Organisations - ALMOs (two representatives)
- Chartered Institute of Housing
- National Housing Federation
- National Federation of ALMOs
- Local Government Association
Full list of current members
The Audit Commission will host, chair and support the meetings and work of the board.
Objectives
- to consult with stakeholders on the design and delivery of the arrangements for inspection, including those set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Audit Commission and the Tenants Services Authority
- to improve the design and delivery of the Audit Commission's approach to inspection of housing services
- to consult with inspected bodies and other key stakeholders on proposed changes to the Audit Commission's inspection methodology
- to ensure that information on the Audit Commission's inspection approach is effectively communicated with the housing sector
- to develop the Audit Commission's role as statutory inspector of the housing sector, and to identify ways of maximising the positive impact of its work particularly in relation to service improvement, value for money and the communication and adoption of best practice
- to provide a forum for inspected bodies to provide feedback on Audit Commission inspection
Meetings
Frequency: Initially every four months
Secretariat: Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate