Chair s Welcome. Ken Payne. Page 5: High Achievers Lunch & Learn Regional Update Caption Competition

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1 Issue No.10 December Visit our 2011 website branchout The Chartered Institute of Housing in the North East Newsletter Chair s Welcome This is the first newsletter since I have taken on the role of chair in April, and since then much has happened in the housing sector, and as a committee we are hoping to progress into our new roles in a way that addresses the difficulties being experienced. I must give a big thank you to the new regional committee who have focused on delivering plans and activities for members across the region and for making my early months as chair such a smooth transition. Every year it is a challenge to ensure that events, seminars, professional practice sessions and educational activities are fresh and of interest to our members and supporters. We are developing some new thinking based on the national governance review which will change the structure and responsibility of the regional committee from 2012 onwards. During the year to date we have held our annual golf day, summer ball and a new barbeque evening, all of which have been well supported and have raised good funds for this years Presidential Appeal for the Foyer Federation. Our lunch and learn seminars and regional conference have also been well supported and will hopefully continue to be a key feature of our work in the future. I am enjoying meeting up with colleagues across the region and looking forward to receiving feedback from them all to assist us to improve our regional programme as I am keen to introduce new and innovative ways of meeting contents Page 1: Chair s Welcome Page & 3: Conference Page 4: Forthcoming Events the needs of members in everything we do. Kind Regards Ken Payne Page 5: Page 6: Page 7: Page 8: High Achievers Lunch & Learn Regional Update Caption Competition

2 An impressive number of delegates from across the region, representing Local Authorities, Housing Organisations and ALMOs attended the two day 41st Annual Conference, held at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham. Speakers on day 1 included Anne Mulroy from the HCA, who outlined the future of funding and the direction the HCA is headed in. Stuart Smith from Woodholmes gave an international perspective and talked around the opportunity for housing organisations to be considered big business. Domini Gunn-Peim from CIHConsult gave an overview of the direction of travel for the health sector and how housing needs to come together and present a clear offer to health professionals to have our voice heard. For anyone further interested in this topic, we will be holding a Health Policy Event scheduled in February 2012 for housing and health executives to get together to discuss and debate key issues watch out on for more information and how to book your place. Highlights of Day 2 of the conference included key note speaker Charlotte Harrison from the Northern Housing Consortium to present on key policy challenges ahead for the sector and the region, then Katie Schmuecker from think-tank IPPR presenting on one of the biggest policy challenges for housing in the North East; The Big Society. There were then opportunities for delegates to listen, share and learn in workshops led by the CIH on Welfare Reform and Repairs and Maintenance. As usual, we d like to thank the host of exhibitors that turned out to support the event with their stands, including Livin (formally Sedgefield Borough Housing) who revealed their new brand at the conference. See you next year! Page 2 Page 3

3 Forthcoming Events quiz night High Achievers CIH North East recognises student high achievers Thursday 19th January 2012 Ramside Hall Hotel Ball Room 30 per team teams of no more than 5 people Pie / Peas Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start golf day Wednesday 16th May 2012 Ramside Hall Hotel 400 plus VAT for team of 4 and hole sponsorship BBQ and prize presentation Shotgun start 10.30am spring ball Friday 18th May 2012 Ramside Hall Hotel VAT for table of VAT for seat Entertainment, Raffle, 3 Course Meal Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start Black Tie How to book your place We have changed the way you can book your place for events you can now do everything online via our website. This not only means its quicker and simpler for members or non-members to book, but will also mean a reduction in the number of s you will receive from us. Log on to and follow the instructions to reserve your place on any of our upcoming events. The CIH NE regional committee has again recognised and awarded prizes to students for their outstanding achievements on housing programmes at Northumbria University and New College Durham. At the School of the Built Environment Prize Giving Event held on Friday 15th July prizes were presented by Ken Payne, Chair of the CIH Regional Committee to Jonathan Graham for Best Postgraduate Student, to Sabana Ahmed for Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Professional Development, and to David Campbell for Best Jonathan Graham David Campbell Foundation Degree Student. Achievement has also been recognised for students at New College Durham where prizes have been awarded to Violeta Lernacinska for the CIH Certificate in Housing Highest Achieving Student, to Kevin Hall for Commitment to Lifelong Learning, and to Laura Waddington for the Highest Achieving Student in the Foundation Degree in Housing. Reflecting on the students achievements Jason Lowe, Education Officer for the Regional Committee said, It is important that the CIH in the north east supports education in the region and great that we are able to recognise the effort, dedication and commitment shown by Jonathan, Sabana, David, Violeta, Kevin and Laura in their academic studies. I m sure that they will continue this success throughout their respective professional careers. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!! Page 4 Page 5

4 Lunch and Learn September s Lunch and Learn event focussed on the requirements of the revised RESPECT standard for housing providers in delivering high quality ASB services to their customers. Regional committees We are changing - soon to be Regional Boards Our nine regional committees represent the housing profession in their local region. They work with other key stakeholders to help our members to learn, improve and influence by participating in regional and national policy consultations, hosting local seminars and events, lobbying local MPs and establishing links with universities and colleges to promote careers in housing. Get involved with CIH in your area. Getting involved with your regional committee is a great way to learn about regional policy issues, improve your skills by sharing experiences, and influence the housing agenda in your area. You can play a part in supporting and influencing CIH activities at a local level, and meet and share experiences with other like-minded housing professionals. You will also have the opportunity to represent members of your own profession whilst mentoring and nurturing future housing professionals. Regional support contact for the North East, Roy Greenwell t: , e: roy.greenwell@cih.org Regional membership Regional membership numbers at the end of October stood at 770. This is largely unchanged from the previous year, making up a total of 4% of the total CIH membership. The session was opened by Tess Ash from the CIH who provided an overview of the current regulatory framework and the future challenges facing the sector. This was followed by Gilly Marshall from Fabrick Housing Group, who provided the audience with an operational perspective of RESPECT in action, as well as offering some guidance on the more difficult aspects of the standard such as demonstrating value for money. Finally, the session ended with a presentation by Richard Mitchell and Gareth Heslington from Three Rivers Housing Association on their award winning work with residents from the Pelaw View estate in Durham. The current membership profile breaks down as follows: Membership Grade Affiliate 15% Associate 1% Corporate 35% Fellow 9% Practitioner 0% Student 15% White British 97% BME 3% The regional committee recognises the need to enhance membership numbers and promote the professional benefits of being part of the CIH. As a result a membership strategy has been developed. Some of the key tasks within the strategy include: Writing to all new members to welcome to the CIH, informing them about forthcoming events and introduce an events buddy to encourage attendance at events. Using events, the regional website and newsletters to promote membership including other potential targets groups i.e. HR Professionals, Tenant membership, etc. Using events evaluation process to ensure follow up on attendees who are interested in membership. Relaunch/Re-establish the network of Liaison Officers in the North East region who can act as ambassadors in the organisations to promote membership. Establishing direct contact with CEOs to celebrate successes of the region, Steven Adey Membership Officer forthcoming priorities and activities and seek their endorsement to staff re CIH membership and activities. Promoting the benefits of CIH membership amongst CIH studying members and encourage progression and retention of Corporate membership. Page 6 Page 7

5 Caption Competition! Just for fun, can you think of a caption for this photograph of our guest speaker from this year s Chair s Dinner held on 2nd November, Brian Blessed? Send your entries to Mark Flannery, Mark.Flannery@hays.com We ll feature the winning caption in the next newsletter. Movers & Shakers Have you moved jobs recently within the sector, or know anyone that has? Why not tell us about it to feature in the next edition s update? Mark.Flannery@hays.com Season s Greetings from all at CIH North East! Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2012