2 The requirements of the post
5. The Housing Ombudsman administers the Housing
Ombudsman Scheme. The purpose of the Scheme is for tenants and
other individuals to have complaints about members investigated
by a Housing Ombudsman. The Scheme states that the role of the
Ombudsman is to resolve disputes involving members of the Scheme,
including making awards of compensation or other remedies when
appropriate, as well as to support effective landlord-tenant dispute
resolution by others.
6. The Housing Ombudsman operates in accordance with
the Scheme which was approved by the Secretary of State under
the terms of the Housing Act 1996. The latest Scheme takes into
account changes to the Ombudsman's jurisdiction made by the Localism
Act 2011. The Scheme applies to social landlords registered, regulated
or operating in England (including all local housing authorities)
as well as to other landlords and managing agents who join voluntarily.
7. Membership of the Scheme is compulsory for landlords
who are registered providers and local housing authorities. At
31 March 2014, 2,473 landlords were in membership, representing
4,560,577 housing units (compared to 2,900,900 in 2013), an increase
of 57%, which is mainly due to the extended remit in regard to
local housing authorities. Some 2,044 members were housing associations,
representing 2,814,780 housing units. There were 1,703,205 units
relating to 343 local housing authorities (including leaseholds).
As at 31 March 2014 there were 86 voluntary, 'for profit' landlords
or managing agents in the Scheme, representing 42,592 housing
units.[5]
8. The Housing Ombudsman has an on-going working
relationship with the Department for Communities and Local Government
(DCLG) to set appropriate levels of additional reporting and governance
structures which are consistent with its obligations in terms
of appropriate accountability to DCLG under the current Framework
Document[6] and with the
importance of protecting the independence of the Ombudsman and
its corporate structure as a corporation sole.[7]
As Accounting Officer, the Housing Ombudsman reports to DCLG in
accordance with the Framework Document. As the quasi-judicial
statutory appointee the Ombudsman reports to DCLG in accordance
with the statute, the Scheme, and his or her Terms of Appointment.
9. The Housing Ombudsman receives its funding from
annual, per-unit subscriptions from registered social landlords
(who are required to join the Scheme) and from private sector
landlords and managing agents who joined the Scheme on a voluntary
basis. Also, for 2013-14, only, the Ombudsman received grant-in-aid
of £630,000 to contribute to the additional costs as a result
of its responsibility for dealing with complaints and disputes
from residents of local housing authorities. In 2014-15 funding
will be provided solely by subscriptions, payable by all members
of the Scheme.[8]
10. The recruitment pack[9]
drawn up by DCLG set the role and responsibilities of the Housing
Ombudsman. These included:
· leading the organisation in the delivery
of its strategy and business plan and in line with the Scheme;
· ensuring that strong governance is in
place that meets best practice and government requirements;
· adapting the strategic direction against
an ever-changing environment, building on the existing vision,
strategy, and objectives;
· leading the senior team in the execution
of the objectives, taking advice from the Audit, Risk, and Assurance
Committee;
· developing an annual business plan, budget,
and subscription rate in agreement with DCLG;
· being publicly visible as the ambassador
for the Housing Ombudsman, influencing and networking with key
decision makers and stakeholders;
· acting as a champion for the work and
role of the Housing Ombudsman at public events and meetings;
· working collaboratively with landlords,
DCLG, and other stakeholders;
· holding the senior team to account for
the effective use of public funds and driving value for money;
· ensuring that the Housing Ombudsman's
affairs are conducted in line with regularity and propriety standards,
and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at
all times;
· ensuring that the Housing Ombudsman operates
within the limits of its statutory authority and in accordance
with the authority delegated from its sponsoring Department and
with guidance issued by it (over-arched by its Framework Document
and annual Accounting Officer delegation letter);
· complying at all times with the rules
relating to the use of public funds (set out in Managing Public
Money[10] and the
Cabinet Office spending controls guidance[11])
and avoiding conflicts of interest; and
· acting in accordance with the Seven
Principles of Public Life.[12]
11. Candidates for the post were required to combine
knowledge of the housing sector with the ability to lead an organisation,
setting a clear vision and strategic direction and the ability
to work in partnership with both DCLG and housing sectors. They
also have to demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
· political judgement and ability to work
with partners in local and national Government with an understanding
of the decision-making process within both, and a commitment to
encouraging and championing local collaboration;
· an ability to lead and manage a senior
team and to set clear strategic direction for an organisation;
· an ability to navigate a complex delivery
landscape, with multiple and sometimes conflicting interests and
to secure consensus on the way forward;
Desirable Criteria
· a track record of ensuring effective governance
in the management of organisations;
· understanding of the housing, the rented
sector, and disputes resolution; and
· an experience of delivering change.
12. The appointment is full-time for up to two years
(with the possibility of extension) at a salary of up to £120,000.[13]
5 Appendix 2 and The Housing Ombudsman Annual Report
and Financial Statements 2013-14, HC (2014-15) 672, p2 Back
6
Framework document for the Housing Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman
website, December 2013 Back
7
A corporation sole is an individual person who represents an official
position which has a single separate legal entity. The death of
the individual will not affect the corporation as there is a right
of succession. A corporation sole can only be created by statute,
Technical Manual published on Business, Innovation and
Skills website, para 75.3, June 2011 Back
8
The Housing Ombudsman Annual Report and Financial Statements
2013-14, HC (2014-15) 672, p1 Back
9
Appendix 2 Back
10
Managing public money, HM Treasury, July 2013 Back
11
Cabinet Office controls, Cabinet Office, July 2014 Back
12
The seven principles of public life, Committee on Standards
in Public Life, May 1995 Back
13
Appendix 2 Back
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