National Housing Maintenance Forum

Plenary 2 Tenant Services Authority – a new approach

Tuesday 27 January 2009 - 11:30

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the new regulator for affordable housing, dedicated to raising the standard of services by putting tenants first. Taking over the Housing Corporation's responsibility for regulating housing associations, the TSA will consult with tenants and social landlords across the domain to develop the new standards framework for all social tenants, for implementation from Autumn 2009 onwards.

This session will set out the vision and role of the TSA alongside the timetable for change. It will give delegates an insight into current thinking and the role of tenants and landlords in shaping the new regulator.

Plenary 3 Rethinking construction 10 years on - what has changed?

Tuesday 27 January 2009 - 16:00

Rethinking Construction was published over 10 years ago and set out an agenda for change in the industry with the main focus on partnering. This session is to take a critical look back at the past 10 years and debate was Egan right and how has the industry changed from both a client and contractors perspective? What has worked? What has failed? Is partnering here to stay or will an economic downturn force a return to the ‘old ways’?

Plenary 4 Wake up to maintenance!

Wednesday 28 January 2009 - 9:00

This plenary will provide an overview of the following:

• After decent homes – what standards should we be aiming for?
• Going for green in the homes we already have
• The broken market – what does it mean for Asset Management and Maintenance?

The aim will be to give delegates an opportunity to explore the emerging trends facing housing maintenance. What challenges lie ahead for us? How do we think the regulators might respond? What do we think they should expect from us, and what should we expect of ourselves?

Plenary 5 Decent homes – where next?

Wednesday 28 January 2009 - 12:30

Everyone wants to know how to make existing homes sustainable. The Decent Homes standard has been found lacking in this regard, not least because of recent fuel price increases. The current trend is to enable people to live in their own homes, within the community; i.e. out of institutions. This means that houses need to change.

Recent work by Black Country Housing Group, in partnership with medical technology promoters MEDILINK WM and ergonomists ERGONOVA, has tackled the barriers to people with disabilities as well as reducing environmental impact in the refurbishment of existing dwellings. By attending this session you will find out what life-time homes means, see it in the context of the Government’s current strategic thinking and leave with an insight into where assistive technology and SMART housing is taking us. Delegates will see the implications for maintaining and improving dwellings beyond the Decent Homes standard; approaching our sustainable and inclusive housing standard.

Plenary 6 Customer care is dead!

Wednesday 28 January 2009 - 14:15

If you really want to deliver fantastic service you need to create a positive business culture and inspire your people. Liam’s session will include the seven secrets to create a fantastic business culture and extracts from his amazing book, ‘Don’t feed the ducks inspire your people. Understand how to motivate your people to deliver unbelievable service  His innovative, emotive and ‘off the wall’ session will be fun, entertaining and thought provoking.

Liam has worked in Housing and the public and private sector for over 20 years. He has vast experience in business and culture change and inspiring people to create great organisations and deliver fantastic service. He is currently working on a culture change programme for the largest repairs and maintenance contract in Europe.

“Liam’s contribution to our conference was immense. His fantastic insights and energy enabled our events to really come alive and I am still getting great comments from colleagues many weeks later asking the same question…when is Liam coming back?” Brian Benneyworth – Group Director of HR and performance, LHA, Asra Group