Outline recommendations of the Local Government Audit Service and of our internal audit in relation to Voluntary Housing Associations

Posted on by

My motion at May’s full council meeting ‘That this council outline the recommendations of the Local Government Audit Service and of our internal audit in relation to Voluntary Housing Associations and the plan for (or progress) implementing said recommendations.
Report Issued by Tadhg McDonnell, Director of Services, Housing and Corporate Services : The Local Government Audit Service Value for Money Report No 29 relating to the oversight role of the local authorities in the provision of social housing by approved housing bodies is available at:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/vfm_report_no._29_-the_oversight_role_of_local_authorities_in_the_provision_of_social_housing_by_approved_housing_bodies.pdf

The report contains 13 recommendations under the following 8 headings:
Registration of Mortgage                                   Nominations and Statement of Occupancy
Inspections                                                           Record of Meetings
Corporate Governance                                       Financial Matters
Leasing Arrangements                                       Capital Projects
A Regulation Office was established as the Regulator for not for profit social housing providers in 2014 on an interim basis, pending enabling legislation. The Regulation Office is part of the Housing Agency, a State Body that supports the delivery and supply of housing and housing services, funded by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. The Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill is currently being prepared by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
The Internal Audit Report on Voluntary Housing recommended a number of actions to be implemented in the overall management of the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme and the Capital Assistance Scheme.
In acknowledgement of the expanding role of Approved Housing Bodies [AHBs] and, in particular, having regard to targets set under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 for AHBs, a Leasing Team has been established from existing staff resources within the housing department. This team is working on the implementation of the recommendations of both audits, together with implementing the current leasing programmes. It is recognised that there is a body of retrospective work to be completed relating to both the national and internal audit and, in order to complete this work, we are awaiting the return from maternity leave of the Staff Officer assigned to this section.